Retention 2011 Outstanding Student Retention Award
EPI’s
Outstanding Student Retention Program
Award is presented annually to a four-
or two-year institution that exhibits
excellence in the development and implementation
of a student retention program. Research
has shown that students who drop out
or stop post secondary education not
only personally suffer negative consequences,
but also pass those consequences on to
society and the institution itself. By
honoring the excellent work being done
by institutions today to create programs
that use innovative means to help students
realize their goals, EPI hopes to further
its mission of creating opportunities
for minority students at post secondary
institutions. Successful student retention
programs recognize that cognitive, social
and institutional factors all play a
role in student retention and persistence.
The most effective student retention programs address these three components by examining financial aid packages, course availability and content, as well as implementing support mechanisms such as tutoring, mentoring and career counseling. It is also imperative to have a means of tracking students through school and monitoring the program’s success so that the institution may determine which methods are effective and those that need improvement.
Past award winners include:
2009 - Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Robert Morris University, and Seneca College
2008 - Oklahoma City University & Texas A&M University
2007 - Youngstown State University
2006 - University of Connecticut
Nomination Process
Anyone may nominate a program for consideration. To nominate a program for the 2011 Outstanding Student Retention Program Award, please email Emma at epuydupin@educationalpolicy.org or fill in the application HERE. The deadline is March 15, 2011.