Kaitlyn Cole who works with Onlineuniversities.com has alerted me to an article entitled "9
Signs Social Engagement Helps Student Retention”. I thought this article is very relevant to what I am working on.
Here’s the
link: (http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2012/07/9-signs-social-engagement-helps-student-retention/).
For those who just want a summary, the 9 signs are:
- Service learning programs can encourage students to re-enroll in classes.
- Long-term student success in college is largely predicted by the experiences encountered in the first year.
- Social engagement is especially important for minority and international student retention.
- Students are more likely to meet high expectations when given academic and social support.
- Student high school experiences and family life influence persistence in college.
- Increased college social media presence is helping students ease the transition into college.
- Student retention increases when students have access to counseling, mentoring, and ethnicity-specific student centers.
- Student-to-student interaction is one of the most important factors in helping students adapt to college life.
- Academic performance increases when students have strong relationships with friends, faculty, and staff.
