Keep ‘Em If You Got ‘Em
Hudson Valley Community College in New Albany, NY, a part of the SUNY system is trying a different approach to retention. Hudson Valley noticed what other schools have noted-too few students, especially those most at-risk, seek out student services for help until it is too late. Retention is an issue everywhere, but especially at community colleges. A recent study noted that community college students are more likely to not complete their desired degree, whether it was an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. Of course, there are complicating factors. Researchers attempted to control for these, but it’s impossible to do this perfectly. Among these factors:
- Community college students are a different demographic than students at four-year schools. Community college students are more likely to be older, with families of their own and careers. There are many compelling “distractions” they have that four-year students are less likely to have.
- A community college student may enter with the goal of completing a four- or two-year degree, but change his mind for financial, professional or familial reasons. Or he might leave because college wasn’t what he thought it was.
Thus, Hudson Valley has consolidated its student services and retention efforts under one umbrella, in order to identify and assist students who may leave the school prematurely. Professors advise academic counselors on the students who seem to be having problems; the counselors direct the students to the appropriate services. A remedial summer program helps get everyone up to speed on college-level math, reading and writing. Full-time tutors are employed at Hudson Valley’s Learning Center, ready to aid the 1,800 students who visit a semester. In addition, an emergency fund helps students cover books, bus passes and even groceries with short-term loans. Often students are in a pinch at the begining of the year, when their student loan checks haven’t yet arrived.
Obviously, this sort of program and some of its elements would be more complicated-if not near-impossible-at a larger school. But Hudson Valley Community College’s efforts may inspire others.
Tags: Community College, Students