June 2024
A key component of the themes for Student Success and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is retention — the percentage of students returning each year. It is considered a key leading indicator of graduation.
“MSU is a place that invites people from a broad variety of backgrounds to pursue learning and expand their opportunities and abilities to make positive impacts on the world,” says Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies Mark Largent. “It’s our responsibility to serve their needs and support them to learn, thrive and graduate.”
MSU has several efforts focused on enhancing persistence. Dedicated teams, such as the Executive Committee on Student Retention and the Operations Retention Group, meet regularly to analyze enrollment and retention data. This helps the university identify gaps, needs and patterns that inform targeted outreach efforts such as a campuswide student departure survey to gather information on why students leave the university.
The goal is to create and implement policy and procedure improvements and build a more dynamic and responsive approach throughout the student journey.
Engaging students in shaping their individual academic journeys and seeing themselves represented across campus are also key in driving retention. The 2023-24 academic year New Student Orientation included updated inclusive programming in the online course as well as new programming as part of the in-person sessions. Additionally, the university engaged underrepresented students to participate in updating the DEI Foundations online education module and the Anti-Discrimination Policy. As part of the Inclusive Campus Initiative, students participated in conversations on data disaggregation, representation, safety and mental health.
“Inclusive excellence includes providing holistic student support and removing barriers to health and financial resources,” says Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Jabbar R. Bennett. “We aim to create an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers all students to thrive.”