Re-engagement
Strategies for College
Stop-outs
On Point for College Retention Team:
Tricia Baker
Selina Boyd
Jaime Grillo
Introduction
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Presentation is based on Re-enrollment and Retention strategies from the
OPFC perspective and experience
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Pre Re-Enrollment Advisor
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2007-2010: 75 students (25/year)– self-selected
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Current #’s:
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Enrolled: 35
Graduates: 17
Stop-outs: 23
Post Re-Enrollment Advisor
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2010-2011: 80 students – took a more aggressive approach with phone calls, social
networking, text and e-mail
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Current #’s:
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Enrolled Spring 2011: 80
Continuing Fall 2011: 55
Graduates: 7
Stop-outs: 18
Re-enrollment Strategies:
Connecting with Re-enrollees
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Contact
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Phone calls, Social Networking, text, e-mail and
letters
Reaching out to Community Agencies and
Organizations associated with OPFC
Hosted a Certificate Workshop
Collaborated with Onondaga Community College
and SUNY Oswego to identify the population
Hosted a G.E.D Workshop
Re-enrollment Strategies:
Engaging Re-enrollees
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Intake
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Obtain updated demographics
Assessment
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Career Interest
Academic History and Performance
Readiness
College selection (Certificate, Associates, Bachelors)
Financial Aid Advisement
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Loan History, FAFSA, TAP, outside resources
Re-enrollment Strategies:
Enrolling Re-enrollees
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Enrollment
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Connect student with designated counselor at
partner schools
Re-enrollment Orientation
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Provide students with backpacks and supplies
Discuss time-management, study skills and
financial aid
Visit students on campus throughout the
semester
Re-enrollment: Results, Findings and
Trends
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From 2007-2010 we spoke to 75 students (25 per year)
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Self-selected
Based on 4 categories, we determined the reasons that
most attributed to why the students stopped out of
college
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1st: Personal / Familial
2nd: Social / Cultural
3rd: Academic
4th: Financial
Re-enrollment: Results, Findings and
Trends
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Drop-out vs. Stop-out
Residential students vs. Commuter
students
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Residential: Social vs. School
Commuter: personal/family vs. school
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Most students will drop everything (academics,
work, etc) if something goes wrong at home
Successful Case Studies of Re-enrolled
Students
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Student 1:
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Homelessness
Family issues
Financial
independence
Little to no support
network
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Student 1 is currently
attending Onondaga
Community College
and has successfully
persisted through the
past 3 semesters.
Since re-enrollment,
he has secured his
own apartment and a
part-time job.
Successful Case Studies of Re-enrolled
Students
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Student 2:
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Pregnancy
Domestic abuse
Family issues
Unsupportive mother
Unprepared for College
Financial issues
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Student 2 successfully
appealed her financial aid
and it was reinstated. She
is currently enrolled in
Onondaga Community
College majoring in
respiratory therapy. She
is living independently
with her child in a safe
environment.
Successful Case Studies of Re-enrolled
Students
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Student 3:
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Academic struggles
Pressure to succeed by
peers
Family responsibilities
Unstable living
environment
Full-time employment
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Student 3 is currently
enrolled at Columbia
College in a Bachelor’s
program on a part-time
basis. She has committed
to seeking the necessary
assistance to be
successful academically.
She continues to work fulltime and live on her own.
Retention Strategies
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During the first month of each semester, OPFC staff visit students at
all NYS campuses
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Check financial aid, housing, meal plan and secure textbooks
OPFC Re-enrollment Advisor visits the students on their campus
that re-enrolled each semester
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Take a more aggressive approach – make a lot of phone calls, e-mails,
Facebook and text message re-enrollees
Retention staff visit two-year NYS Community Colleges and AG/Tech
Colleges monthly and OCC weekly
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Provide on-campus transfer services
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Introduce students to “Campus Angel”
Retention Strategies
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Transportation
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Provide rides to students who are leaving Syracuse on the first and last day
of school and when residence and dining halls close
Utilize a dedicated group of 40 volunteers from the community and the
OPFC staff to cover the trips
Centro bus passes at OCC Bookstore
Additional Assistance
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Emergency Loan Funds at different schools
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Basic and Emergency Needs
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Last Dollar grants
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Eye glasses, winter coats, dental, food, medicine
Enrollment and Housing Deposits
Financial assistance for textbooks
Math and Science Grants
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Tuition assistance to take summer Math and Science courses
Summary
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Presentation was based on Re-enrollment
and Retention strategies from the OPFC
perspective and experience
OPFC is an organization that meets the
needs of the students, students do not
have to fit a certain mold
We take pride in building relationships with
our students and garnishing trust