<p>I have learned: Academic preparation impacts persistence</p> <p>Persistence rates are an indicator of how well you are doing in meeting student needs and expectations.&nbsp;</p> <p>Students are presented with an enormous amount of information at orientation. Use pictures of staff and faculty, phone numbers e-mails etc. that hey have a way to communicate if they have questions.</p> <p>The instructor plays an important role in student retention at career colleges.</p> <p>Many students need additional academic support.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Communication Systems: open door policy, succession box and Newsletters are good tools </strong></p> <p><strong>Surveys for students</strong></p> <p>Edwards Personal Preference Survey, and the Noel Levitz College Student Inventory.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Awards, student acknowledgments </strong></p>