Nuts and Bolts: BUILDING A RETENTION PLAN FOR ADULT LEARNERS

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INTRODUCTIONS

Catherine HerzogAccount Executive Hobsons EMS

Megan DeLongDirector of Enrollment Management ServicesMercer University

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Historical Data

Building The Plan

Questions

Building The Task Force

Managing The Task Force

About Mercer

Goals & Assessment

WELCOME

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ABOUT MERCER

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ABOUT MERCER

Mercer University’s mission: To Teach, To Learn, To Create, To Discover, To Inspire, To Empower, & To Serve

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ABOUT MERCER

12 SCHOOLS & COLLEGES

8 LOCATIONS STATEWIDE

8,557 FALL 2014 ENROLLMENT

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ABOUT MERCER

THEDUKEEFFECT

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ABOUT MERCER

WHO WE ARE: THE COLLEGES

• Penfield College of Mercer

University

• Tift College of Education

• Stetson School of Business

Economics

WHO WE ARE:ADULT LEARNERS

• Graduate/Professional: 1,602

• Undergraduate: 1,527

• Total: 3,129

Percent of MU: 37%

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BUILDING THETASK FORCE

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BUILDING THE TASK FORCE

CHOOSING THE DEPARTMENTS• Academic Units

• Admissions

• Operations

• Retention

• Support Services

• Financial Planning

CHOOSING THE REPRESENTATIVES

Remember:

Leaders are not always titled

as leaders!

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HISTORICAL DATA

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HISTORICAL DATA

5 YEAR RESEARCHDATA SET

• Completion Rate

- Did they graduate?

• Graduation Rates by Transfer

Credit

• Cohort Progress

SCRUBBING YOUR DATA

• Outliers- Transients

- Certificate-Only

- Non-Degree

• Sub Populations

- First-time, Full-time

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BUILDING THE PLAN

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BUILDING THE PLAN

• Signature Issues

• Proactive Strategies

• Implementation Timeline

• Implementation Task List

THE PARTS

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SIGNATURE ISSUES

• Misadvising or lack of advising

• Degree progress planning unavailable

• Difficulty registering for courses

Advising Issues

• Course withdrawal charges

• Accurate & proactive financial forecasting

• Lack of scholarship programs

Financial Issues

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PROACTIVE STRATEGIES

• Admissions Priority Deadline Program

• First Day Check List

• First-Time/Part-Time Standards & Procedures

• Orientation Videos

• First Year Student Advising Pilot Program

• Student Support Services Internal Marketing Campaign

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REACTIVE STRATEGIES

• Early Alert Program & Software Implementation

• Exit Surveys

• Withdrawal Communication Plan

• Financial Assistance Application

• Recruit-back Communication Plan

• Social & Cultural Enhancements

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MANAGING THETASK FORCE

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MANAGING THE TASK FORCE

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

• Quick Wins

• 0-3 months

• Short Term Goals

• 3-6 month

• Long Term Goals

• 6-12+ months

IMPLEMENTATION TASK LIST

• Broad Narrow

• DELEGATE. PERIOD.

• Task Management

• Regular meetings,

check points, & due

dates

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GOALS & ASSESSMENT

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GOALS & ASSESSMENT

METRICS

• Cohort Progress

• Graduation Rates by

Transfer Credit

• Recruit-back Goals

ANECDOTAL

• Student & Faculty

Satisfaction Surveys

• Student & Faculty Focus

Groups

• New Student Calls

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Questions ?

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Thank You