The 3 M's must be applied in a consistent day-to-day contact with students. Students want to interact with role models. Repetition is critical as each student has a different process of learning. The 3M's must work together.

Career services is a great way to attract students and retain them. At the end of the day, they all go to school to obtain skills that will allow them to get a job.

When students engage in a variety of activities both on and off campus, they develop a stronger sense of belonging, which significantly increases their likelihood of staying enrolled through the completion of their program.

I always understood that mentoring plays a key role in student success, but I didn’t fully realize just how critical a structured mentoring program is for student retention. Such a program helps students feel supported, fosters a stronger sense of belonging, and makes them feel valued and appreciated.

Retention process starts during admission. It is very important to have a well-designed admission process without forcing or pushing the student to enroll. Most likely, students already decide from the moment they are admitted if they would like to continue until the end or not.

Staff teamwork can bleed into the classroom if there are disruptions.

Coming in with a positive attitude can set the tone for the classroom.

That education has become standardized and a business.

A key to success is to model what we preach.

I learned that student retention is everyone's responsibility and that it has academic, administrative, and financial implications. I also realized that there are many myths surrounding retention, often blaming external factors. However, it is essential to properly prioritize and understand the target student segment to ensure they are able to complete their studies.