Student engagement beyond the classroom is essential for academic success. Through educationally purposeful activities, initiatives, and accountability measures, students can be empowered to succeed, to be retained. to graduate at higher rates with minimal financial indebtedness, and to be prepared for the workplace or for graduate or professional school.
Addressing barriers to student success
So what makes a student less likely to persist? Unengaged students may:
- Lack a sense of direction with their program selection and educational advising.
- Not be involved in co-curricular activities.
- Lack a sense of belonging.
- Feel hopeless.
In many cases, with a total community effort and sufficient resources, institutions can remove these barriers and help more students succeed. In addition, institutions should focus on:
- Teaching excellence.
- Increasing student involvement in co-curricular activities.
- Supportive, timely, effective--and sometimes even intrusive--student services.
Learn the best practices of 2013
At the 23rd Annual AACRAO SEM Conference, AACRAO senior consultant Jody Gordon will be hosting a session entitled Student Engagement Beyond the Classroom to discuss the current research on these barriers to student success and the impact student engagement outside the classroom has on student persistence and student success.
For more information about Student Engagement stop by the AACRAO Consulting booth at the AACRAO SEM Conference or contact us at (202) 355-1056.