Systemic Solutions Driving Retention and Graduation Efforts at a Large, Selective Private Institution: A Scalable Project for Student Success

ABSTRACT

This article highlights a scalable mixed-methods student success project focused on First-Generation and Limited-Income Students at a large, selective private institution over the 2022–2023 academic year. Through a systemic lens, four major themes were identified and addressed. This article explores the processes of the project, confirming the need for transparency of operational procedures, collaboration across institutional entities, and additional assessment practices. The implemented project practices resulted in an almost 75% decrease in all alerts and holds, contributing to the institution’s highest first-year retention on record. Other institutions could scale the approaches to aid their own retention efforts.

KEYWORDS:

• Retention
• first-generation college student
• low-income
• organizational culture
• undergraduate education
• access

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The authors would like to thank the JHU team who worked tirelessly to make this project successful. Every partner who contributed to this project, on the face of it, or behind the scenes, delivered results. This project would not be possible without each partner, and the authors are grateful for your investment.