9 Needs for Student Persistence

What Students Ideally Need Before Starting College

1. Health – are students successfully managing their physical and emotional health?
2. Purpose – do students know what they want to study in college and potentially do after college?
3. Self-Discipline – can students balance competing demands for their time and focus on priorities?

What the University Must Help the Student Find in Their 1st Semester

1. Belonging – do students believe they belong there and have their found their community(ies) within it?
2. Academics – do students maintain good grades and engaged in other high impact learning practices?
3. Finances – are students able to pay for college without major debt and manage costs in college?

What the University Must Collaborate On Behind the Scenes

1. Assessment – Are all the departments collecting and using on student beliefs and behaviors?
2. Technology – Are relevant departments collaborating and communicating effectively in one location?  
3. Outreach – Who is managing this comprehensive data to implement an early intervention system?