Fulton-Montgomery Community College

A Collaborative Approach

to Retention

JeanMarie Reinke

Office of Student Success and Retention

What is Retention Management?

– At FMCC it is the centralized coordination of retention services & initiatives that follows a College Retention Plan which follows the College’s Strategic Plan

– Emphasis on strong faculty involvement – Retention is also a process by which students

achieve his or her academic goals

• Student Goals:– Pursue degree or certificate– Meet HS requirements as an early admit– Enroll in a course for career development or promotion– Enroll in a course for personal enrichment– Employer supported coursework– Take a few courses then transfer on

Who is Responsible for Retention?EVERYONE Plays a Critical Role

All Offices and Systems on Campus help in this effort

including:– Strong faculty involvement– The Board – Correspondence sent to students from all offices– Maintenance and custodial – How the campus looks! – As well as the obvious: Admissions, Advising, Financial Aid, Athletics,

Residential Life & classroom experiences

– Campus Committees & Teams contribute to Retention initiatives too

– Enrollment Management Committee– Intervention and Referral & Counseling Services– Retention Committee

– Retention is Not “Dumbing Down” or Lowering Standards

Retention is working with ALL students- not only the “Troubled Ones”

ACT-Report“What works in College Retention”

ACT identified 7 Key Practices common to successful (High Retention rates) two year public institutions :– Math labs - Faculty Coordinated– Writing labs - Faculty Coordinated – Reading labs - Faculty Coordinated – Advising interventions for special student populations – Faculty

Involved– Learning Communities - Trio & the Learning Center– Foreign Language labs - Incorporated in the Learning Center – Programs for Racial /Ethnic minorities - Trio

What are We Doing in the Office of Retention?

Retention TimelinePrior to the start of the semester

Tours and consultation from Admissions Office Mandatory COMPASS Test for new students Mandatory Advisement prior to registration Satisfactory Academic Progress Review for all students Career Counseling – Faculty Advisors Schedule adjustments for students on Academic Warning Schedule adjustments for all students – Faculty Advisors Campus Wide orientation – Faculty Involvement Special Student/Athlete & International Student Orientations TRIO and Residential Life Orientations Special coaches meetings

Classes Begin Development Day Retention Presentations to Faculty Coordinate Faculty led study skills workshops Students on Academic Warning & Probation create and sign

their individual Educational Improvement Plans to maximize their chances of success. May include mandatory tutoring, counseling and no online or blended course work.

Retention Office presents “College Success Tips” upon faculty request

“Peer Calling” Campaign begins Retention Office Coordinates the “Early Warning Program” Retention Office assist faculty with Warning Notices Assist faculty in interfacing with students exhibiting difficulties Attend faculty division meeting to promote new Retention

Initiatives

Mid-Terms & On

2.0 GPA & below intervention letters sent out resulting in meetings with students

Coordinate N/F letters sent out via the Registrars Office

Mid–term “College Success Tips” re-visits to classrooms

“Mid-Term Questionnaire” sent out for faculty assessment

SAP appointments & continued ED plan check-ins

On-Call faculty advising system

Start it all over again for the next semester Send out Retention Newsletters to the FM family keeping

everyone abreast of success stories and new initiatives

Concluding Thoughts

Retention is ever changing, we all have to be flexible and be proactive in working with our students

New initiatives added yearly. Existing retention plans are assessed annually for effectiveness.

Retention is a Campus Wide Effort!!

Any Questions?????