“Retention On
A Shoestring”
We are telling you about our retention program, not because
we think you should copy our program, but because you might
gain one or two ideas you can take home to your institution.
Since starting this program our retention
rate has changed as followed:
2011-2012: 51.95%
2012-2013: 57.35%
2013-2014:60.04 %
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
SPEAKERS
Dr. Charles Cunning
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B.S. Psychology, The Ohio State University
M.A. in Psychology, The University of Montana
Ph.D. Philosophy in Educational Psychology, The University of Iowa
Dean of Academic Support
Professor of Psychology
Special Assistant to the President
Over 25 years Experience in Higher Education
Brandi Toney
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Senior Mentor/Tutor
BSW, Limestone College
Graduate Student at
Case Western Reserve University
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
Mission and Goal of the
Office of Academic Support
The Office of Academic Support believes that all students who pursue a degree at Limestone College
deserve the necessary resources, support, and encouragement to reach his/her full potential and achieve
academic success.
Please feel free to stop us at any point during the presentation to ask questions.
STAFF:
OFFICE OF
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Dr. Charles Cunning
Brandi Toney
David West
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
WHO ARE OUR STUDENTS?
• Limestone College is the largest private regionally accredited college in South Carolina.
This presentation is specific to day students, which make up about 34% of students
(approx. 1,200).
• A student with a high school GPA of 2.0 and a SAT of 910 or higher will be admitted to
Limestone College.
• If a student does not meet the above
standards, he/she may be admitted as a
provisional student.
• 40% of our freshman are provisionally
admitted. We have basically have an open
admission.
• During this presentation, we will inform you
about our programs and what works best
for us.
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
FIRST GENERATION ALL-STAR SEMINAR
• Two-hour seminar will be held on Thursday,
August 27, at 6 p.m.
• What does it mean to be a “First Generation
All-Star?”
• Reach out to first generation college students
and provide a workshop highlighting college
information and resources.
• Stress the importance of a college degree and
how it can impact one’s future.
• Provide an opportunity for students to network
and form a support group.
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
EXAMPLE OF
FIRST GENERATION
LETTER TO
STUDENTS
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
EXAMPLE OF
FIRST GENERATION
LETTER TO
PARENTS
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
PARENT NEWSLETTER
Parents receive a weekly email newsletter which includes information and tips related to
having a child in college. These newsletter topics include:
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Parenting a College Student
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Exams
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Living In College Residence Halls
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Health and Safety
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Changing Roles
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College Students and Parties
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Activities and Academic Support
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Academic Planning
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Communicating With Your
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Major Requirements
College Student
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Money and Finances
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Helicopter Parents
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Family Educational Rights/Privacy Act
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Working While In College
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Continuing Your Student’s Education
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
Services Offered in the
Office of Academic Support: Tutoring
• The Office of Academic Support offers tutoring
to all students at Limestone College.
• All tutoring is free!
• Tutor criteria: Junior or Senior level, 3.0 GPA or
above.
• Tutors available in every subject offered at
Limestone College.
• Tutors are trained to help students learn course
material, develop study skills, and assist in
time management and organization.
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
Services Offered in the
Office of Academic Support: Mentoring
• Mentoring is a critical service offered to the student body, and is free for all Limestone
students.
• Mentors* are trained to help students become acclimated to college life and they also
act as peer support throughout college.
• Mentors are available to help with
time management, college stress,
and to help students navigate
through personal issues.
* NOTE: All tutors are trained to mentor students
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
Services Offered in the
Office of Academic Support: Study Hall
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Study hall is available to students Sunday through Thursday from 3 p.m. until 1 a.m. Tutors are available
in study hall and students may receive private and/or group tutoring.
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Students may schedule a tutor during study hall or request private tutoring.
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Many student athletes are required by their coaches to attend study hall based on GPA and/or
Freshman status.
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Weekly attendance reports are sent to coaches and academic advisors to report hours recorded in study
hall.
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Laptops are available for check-out during study hall hours.
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A resource table offers student information including: study tips, time management skills, APA/ MLA
guidelines, note-taking skills, clubs/organizations, and sign-up sheets for tutoring/study groups.
Study Hall Hours Are 3 p.m. until 1 a.m.
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
EARLY INTERVENTION
We focus on early intervention for struggling students:
• Monitor student attendance/grades, and reach out to at-risk students weekly.
• Mentors are assigned to reach
out as a peer support and offer
services to at-risk students.
• Schedule weekly follow-up
meetings for students struggling
with academic and/or personal
issues.
• Interact with faculty and staff,
alerting the Office of Academic
Support about at risk students.
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
EARLY INTERVENTION:
SUMMER REMINDERS
• Send student reminders to complete FAFSA forms by the June 30 deadline.
• Remind students to register for classes.
• Contact probationary/suspended, and
recently readmitted students about
Academic Support services.
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
LUNCH WITH THE PRESIDENT
• Lunch with the President is a program that offers
freshman and transfer students an opportunity to meet
the President at Stephenson Dining Hall and voice
opinions and concerns about Limestone College.
• Students are divided up by sports teams and coaches
are encouraged to attend.
• Stress the importance of a college degree and the
benefit of graduating ($1 million).
• Students sign commitment cards promising
to graduate; cards and letter are sent to parents.
• Door Prizes.
“Retention on a Shoestring”
Sophomore Recognition
SOPHOMORE YEAR IS GENERALLY VIEWED
AS A HIGH-RISK PERIOD FOR RETENTION
• Casino Night is an event to celebrate
Sophomores who have successfully completed
the first year of college.
• Exclusively for Sophomores; invitations are
mailed personally to each student.
• Prizes donated by community; every student
goes home with a prize.
• Promote the Office of Academic Support and
the resources available to students.
• Spring Semester Event?
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Students are given an opportunity to receive extra credit points
for attending three consecutive tutoring sessions.
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The program helps students become familiar with tutors/mentors and Academic Support Services.
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This program provides an incentive for students
who would benefit from services, but may be
reluctant to seek help.
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Students are rewarded for being proactive in
seeking support and working toward academic
success.
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Voluntary program for faculty.
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The program offers an opportunity for Professors
to intervene with at-risk students and promote
Academic Support Services.
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
ACADEMIC TEAM CAPTAINS
Starting in the Fall of 2015, coaches will nominate 1 or 2 students per team to act
as Academic Team Captains (must maintain 3.5 GPA). 68% of Limestone students
are student-athletes.
• Academic Team Captains will act as liaisons
between at-risk students and Academic
Support staff.
• The Office of Academic Support has a good
relationship with coaches and an open line of
communication to discuss academic issues
among student athletes.
• Team Captains are individuals who strive to
win on the court and in the classroom.
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
PROGRAM AWARENESS
The Office of Academic Support continually strives to promote our services to students,
faculty/ staff, parents and the public. Here are some ways we in which we promote our
services throughout Limestone College:
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Digital Signage and Posters
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Tutoring Sign-up Table
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Presentation to Academic Skills Classes
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Networking
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Presentations at Open House Events
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Local Radio
“Retention On
A Shoestring”
The Limestone College Office of Academic
Support works to enhance student success
through early intervention, program
development, and Academic Support Services.
We wish you a successful
and productive school year!
THANK
YOU
Limestone College