Student retention boils down to the recognition and facilitation of intrinsic and extrinsic needs/motivations. Students all seek validation and while some may be preoccupied with the social, cultural, or procedural dynamics of a learning environment, others will concern themselves with programmatic relevance, applicability, and outcomes. This balance between diverse and often divergent foci is a delicate process requiring the instructor to both understand and remain attentive to the needs of each student. The first order of operation is to facilitate a safe learning environment where students are comfortable expressing opinions, objectives, dissent, and unique learning requirements. Following this, students must be encouraged to embrace the differences amongst their peers and embrace them as opportunities for learning and growth.
