Loren Kroh

The literature about retention is full of studies citing the importance of students feeling connected with the institution and more importantly, people within the organization. For the time that a student is in class, their instructor is the institution. What happens during that period shapes the student's assessment of the school. Too many bad experiences and they will decide to drop out. The same is dynamic is true in Financial Aid, placement, the learning center - anywhere there is interaction between student and staff/faculty.

Does the owner directly respond to concerns presented in the minutes or work through the management team? Who prepares the minutes? What are the expectations from the department members?

I have always maintained that attendance is a very reliable indicator of how well an instructor is doing in the classroom. Students don't want to miss classes that are intellectually stimulating and presented in positive, creative ways. In contrast, it's easy to decide to cut a class that is usually dull and presented by an instructor who is not engaged with the students.

What's the agenda when the "advisory group" meets? Student led? Voluntary? How do you measure outcomes and coordinate follow up?

Great point about the need to modify expectations! It's a massive dissatisfier when students think they will develop skills that aren't within the purview of the course. How often do you have to get students to make these type of modifications, Kevin? Do you communicate this with Admissions where they create expectations?

Shouldn't you be shaping expectations within the capabilities of the program/institution? What do you do if the students' expectations exceed your ability to deliver?

The idea of pulling students out of class to spot check their concerns is intriguing. How do you select the students? Who do the "interrogation"? Do the students consider this an honor or punishment?

Good point, Guy. Do you ever have any of your industry advisers come into the classroom to tell the students about this practice and highlight the benefits to them?

TJ, will this person be teaching a Student Success course or is he/she serving more as a counselor, dealing specifically with referrals? What type of problems have he/she been working with? Good luck; this sounds like a very promising initiative.

Is this a system you developed at your school or a system available in the marketplace? Are you pleased with the results?