Theme 1

Theme 1: Student Success Through Engagement in Learning

• Student Advisement and Communication
• Learning in General Education and the major
• Learning outside the classroom
• Dimensions of Retention

Research Questions: Our research questions are driven by goals; they are answered, by evidence that assessment yields. So, we ask a general question within which we nest tactical questions: What are the most effective approaches for enhancing the learning and engagement of students with our demographic and preparatory characteristics? We strive to be in the top quartile of comparably classified institutions when we make comparisons.

From this flows tactical questions:

• To what extent can improved advising and support services reduce the time to degree?
• To what extent is technology helping us in teaching, learning and advising, specifically by making online courses available and by making self-help tutorials and conferences available on line? Which online learning tools are being used effectively in teaching and learning?

Because non-retention from the first to second year is substantial, we focus questions on that as well:

• Hoss—FTF and FTT?
• How effective are our initiatives in engaging and retai evidence do we have of that effectiveness? How can what we learn be applied populations?
• What are the academic practices and study habits of successful learners, those who persist with at least a 2.5 GPA?