“The results of MMSI demonstrate the importance of investing in the future of students by assessing the whole person,” said Erin Shy, CEO of Watermark. “MMSI showed us that regardless of external stressors, the right support structure can bolster the persistence and graduation rate of minority-male students.”
The MMSI study found that minority males who were assigned a success coach who consistently followed up with them through the term were 2.7 percent more likely to complete an in-person course, and 8.8 percent more likely to complete an online course. Persistence rates also increased by 19.2 percent from the spring to fall semester for minority-male students with success coaches, a significant improvement to a problem that plagues higher education institutions across demographics.
“A recent study from the Community College Review found that the two-year college completion rate for students of color is only 24 percent,” said Alex Leader, Chief Impact Officer at Watermark. “With the MMSI study, we aim to dismantle this racial equity gap across higher education by identifying actionable measures colleges and universities can take to best serve their minority students. I would be lying if I said I was surprised by these results; I have long felt confident that promoting student success requires proactive support to help students tackle barriers before they become obstacles.”
Engagement is the common denominator across the MMSI study. Institutions that were highly engaged with both the software and their students saw a much higher persistence rate compared to institutions that were less engaged. The persistence across all four terms increased by a rate of 23.9 percent for students with a higher level of engagement with success coaches while students with a lower level of engagement with success coaches were 14 percent less likely to persist through the fourth term.
“I have seen what it looks like when students don’t have the help they need to persist and succeed,” said Jamal Pitt, Success Coach at Nash Community College. “It falls on the shoulders of educators to ensure student success is within reach. Once they walk through the door, I tell them that my job is to help them cross the stage through whatever means necessary.”
Related:
Students are flocking to HBCUs–here’s why
This press release originally appeared online.
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