The University’s first Retention Summit, held on Friday, 14 February, was an afternoon of engaging and thoughtful conversation and goal setting focused on supporting student success and retention. The keynote address, delivered by University College Dean Gretel Stock and Director of Student Retention Lori Randall, provided historical and current data on student preparedness and first-year college success; insight into the demands competing for students’ attention outside the classroom; and unit-specific retention targets, as projected by the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, to support our campus in achieving both short- and long-term retention goals.
The short-term goal for Fall 2025 is 75.5% retention of the first-year cohort that entered UWSP in Fall 2024, while the long-term goal is 80% retention of each year’s incoming cohort starting in Fall 2028. Break-out sessions included a student panel as well as presentations on scaffolding classroom instruction, helping students navigate a change in major or career plans during their first year, using Navigate to support student success, and applying lessons learned from the LEAD program.
Over 70 participants from units across the University attended the summit. Participants will have opportunities to continue the good work begun at the summit through ongoing conversation and collaboration with the Director of Student Retention and other University College staff members.
The short-term goal for Fall 2025 is 75.5% retention of the first-year cohort that entered UWSP in Fall 2024, while the long-term goal is 80% retention of each year’s incoming cohort starting in Fall 2028. Break-out sessions included a student panel as well as presentations on scaffolding classroom instruction, helping students navigate a change in major or career plans during their first year, using Navigate to support student success, and applying lessons learned from the LEAD program.
Over 70 participants from units across the University attended the summit. Participants will have opportunities to continue the good work begun at the summit through ongoing conversation and collaboration with the Director of Student Retention and other University College staff members.