A Community of Cohorts:
Creating Transition Programs for
Specific Populations
Molly J. Cunningham, Assistant Director
Jennifer L. McCluskey, Ph.D., Director
Office of Retention Initiatives
Maryville University of St. Louis
Office of Retention Initiatives
• Department focuses on traditional
population, more specifically freshmen
• Identify specific populations we would
like to retain at a higher rate…
– Focus on student success…student
connections
– Where can we make a difference?
Identifying a Cohort
• Why to focus on a cohort
– Manageable numbers
– Common interests and goals
– Similar issues and concerns
• How to identify a specific cohort
– Institutional focus
– Retention numbers
– Make a difference
Identifying A Cohort
• Identify the cohort you want to focus on
• Rally support around you
– Faculty
– Staff
– Students
• Steps for program implementation
• Assessment…did it work?
Cohorts
Improvements
Made…
Improvements
Needed…
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• Commuter students
• Transfer students
Athletes
Work Study students
Minority students
Honors students
Undeclared students
Division III Athletes
• 1:1 appointments (3 x season) with coach
(strengths, weaknesses, goals)
• Orientation for new freshmen and transfers
• Flexibility with class schedules vs. practices
• Team building events (e.g., float trip)
• Coach has small groups for dinner at home
• Weekly progress reports
• End of the year team banquet (parents invited)
• Retention range: 86% – 90% (Fall 2002-2005)
Work Study Students
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Student employees NOT work study
Supervisor training
Student Employee Appreciation Week
Integrate into the department (e.g., profile of all
student employees)
Nametags
Recognize for job well done
Celebrate birthdays, holidays
Retention range: 86% - 87% (Fall 2002 – 2005)
Minority Students
• Luncheon prior to start of Orientation
• Breakout Session during Orientation
• New student organizations
– Association of Black Collegians (ABC)
– Multicultural Club
• New Director of Multicultural Programs
– 1:1 to find scholarships; personal issues
– Teaches Freshman Seminar for visibility
Honors Students
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Honors Reception at Orientation
Honors Colloquium
Bascom Honors Society (student org.)
Freshman Seminar for Honors students
Encouraged to serve as Peer Tutors
Honors courses specifically for this
cohort (smaller classes; discussion
based; taught by full-time faculty)
Undeclared Students
• Specific/targeted letter series from Academic
Adviser, Career Education, Dean(s) of
Schools/College
• Lunches in the School of Business and
College of Arts & Sciences
• E-mail series from Retention Initiatives
regarding the individual student interests
• Freshman Seminar instructor one on one
meetings regarding individual
goals/aspirations
Undeclared Students
• Fall 2003 cohort
– Retained 53% of undeclared freshmen
– Retained 79% of freshmen overall
• Fall 2005 cohort
– Retained 79% of undeclared freshmen
– Retained 81% of freshmen overall
• Initiative Results (from Fall 2003 – Fall 2005)
– An increase of 26% in retention of undeclared
freshmen
– An increase of 4% in freshmen retention overall
Additional Cohorts
Commuter students
• Commuter Connector meeting during Orientation
• Commuter Monthly Munchies
• CARZ: Commuter Appreciation & Recognition Zone
• Monthly “Things to Do” postcards
• Ride Board
• Fall 2002 Cohort: 74.6% retention
• Fall 2005 Cohort: 74.6% retention
Transfer students
• Currently exploring retention of transfer students
Closing Thoughts
• Focusing on Cohorts
– Consistently engage others
• Faculty
• Student Life staff
• Seasoned students
– You can make a difference
– Measure your efforts
• Evaluations
• Focus groups
• Retention
Questions? Comments?
Molly J. Cunningham
Assistant Director of Retention Initiatives
314-529-9579
[email protected]
Jennifer L. McCluskey, Ph.D.
Director of Retention Initiatives
314-529-9561
[email protected]