May 2010

1. First-Year Student Retention: A Summary of 2007 through 2009 Significant Differences in Profiles and Engagement Experiences of Retained Versus Non-Retained Students May 2010 Academic Leadership Learning Collaborative Catalog No. 47ALCRR510

2. Key Themes AL-LC Has Completed Three Separate Analyses Focused on Differences Between Retained Versus Non-Retained First-Year Students; This Analysis Will Present Key Themes That Have Emerged Under the Following Categories: • In what areas have improvements occurred across NSSE • benchmarks? • In what areas are there opportunities for improvements based • on trends in NSSE benchmarks? • What variances exist in the profile of retained and non-retained • students over this three-year period of time? AL-LC conducted separate analyses for 2007, 2008 and 2009, using NSSE data and official enrollment snapshots. These reports were designed to determine significant differences in the profiles and engagement experiences of retained and non-retained first-year students.

3. Methodological Note Each Year, The Sample Size For Analysis of NSSE Data and Enrollment Snapshots Varied Using NSSE data, official enrollment snapshots, and other student data provided by JSC, Eduventures conducted various tests to determine significant differences between retained and non-retained first-year students in each year. In order to highlight certain trends, non-significant differences were included as well, and are noted accordingly.

4. Improvements There Are Certain Areas In Which Improvements Have Occurred Over Time

5. Potential Areas for Examination Based on Trends in NSSE Benchmarks, A Number of Areas Exist in Which There Are Potential Opportunities For Additional In-Depth Analysis

6. Student Profiles Certain Variances Exist In The Profile of Retained and Non-Retained Students Over This Three-Year Time Period