Retention Audit

Over a three-day period, Academica Group conducts an audit of retention programs and services, involving:

Constituent Interviews
Academica's audit involves student focus groups, and meetings with retention committees (if in place), core curriculum group, first-year experience group, student advising group, and a broad representation of faculty, staff, and students. The focus of these interviews is to obtain perspectives on the Institution’s retention strategies, factors that enable or impede retention especially for at risk students and underrepresented populations, current student communications, conditions for academic success, and enrolment processes. The review also includes an assessment of the technology infrastructure, as well as the organizational structure, budgets, reporting capabilities, and staffing patterns that support retention initiatives. Meetings with the retention staff and other retention agents focus on early warning systems, intervention strategies and processes for high-risk students and management of high-risk experiences.   

Student Focus Groups (2)
Select targeted student segments are invited to share their experiences with student advising (academic, personal, and career), other student services, first-year experience, core curriculum, and social, academic, and cultural climate that impact attrition and student satisfaction. The composition of the focus groups is determined in consultation with the institutional sponsor, and may include traditional students, adult learners, transfers, international students, and other priority student segments.