“These are great conversations for advisors to have with students: What are you able to do and manage? What do we need to factor in?” Hoffmann says. “If a student isn’t likely to meet that goal or is falling behind, then that’s when some additional conversation can take place to revise that academic plan.”
Discussions address the student’s situation, but Hoffmann is quick to point out that the tone is cordial, candid, and supportive. Students are not meant to feel that they’ve failed because they accrued fewer than 15 hours in a term and have sabotaged their chances for graduating. Instead, solutions are found that fulfill Northwest’s mission of “student success—every student, every day.”
Hoffmann says that there are three crucial benefits for students who graduate on time:
- saving money on tuition
- moving quicker into careers. “The average entry-level income for a bachelor’s degree in Missouri is just under $46,000. We’re always trying to help students understand the importance of a college education and a bachelor’s degree.”
- developing strong, lasting relationships that can serve students not only during their academic career, but also as they move out into the workforce
For institutions thinking about their own student success programs, Hoffmann offers these suggestions:
- Build relationships. Get to know your students and give them a good foundation to start their education.
- Be positive. Don’t let minor setbacks such as fewer completed credits derail their enthusiasm.
- Work to students’ needs. Come up with a program that students can realistically achieve and make adjustments when necessary.
Although Complete 30 was just launched and results aren’t in, the promise of success bodes well. Hoffmann says that students who complete 30 or more hours during their first year have a higher GPA than students taking fewer credits and have significantly higher graduation rates.
Robert Lerose is a New York-based freelance writer. He received the APEX Grand Award and seven Awards For Publication Excellence for his journalism. He was the 2004 winner of the Great American Think-Off, a philosophy competition open to the public.
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