I think we do an excellent job on building commitment in the first week, even the first class or two. However, after the initial quarter, we start focusing on the next learning community of students in their first quarter. What kinds of activities have you put in place to make sure you don't lose touch with your contuing students? It seems like we treat new students special but then forget about them once they make it through the first quarter. Our retention is actually worse in their first program-specific course (third term) then it is in our first quarter classes.

I am interested in involving past graduates or successful senior students in our orientation process. Have any of you tried this approach to reducing students' fears and building excitement? If so, how do you track the graduates or students that might be a fit for this role?