Retention Foundations Assessment

Overview

The purpose of Retention Foundations Assessment (RFA) is to identify, measure, and improve the underlying variables that impact student retention at NC State by using existing research and data collection methods. This project will inform future unit-level practices within the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA) at NC State and is not meant to serve as generalizable research.

Ultimate goals of RFA: Retention, Persistence, GPA, Graduation. The 5 retention topics are: Grit (passion and perseverance toward long term goals), Belonging (and sense of community), External Issues (family and financial issues), Fit and Commitment (to the institution), and Academic Engagement.

Scope and Stages

Retention Foundations Assessment simultaneously assesses multiple retention variables of interest at NC State in multi-year cycles. Teams of division staff, faculty, and students overseen by DASA Assessment will work with each retention variable in three stages: Review, Collection, and Implementation. Each stage in the process spans one academic year and is comprised of a unique team of interested individuals within the division. Each team accomplishes the goals of its stage with the members’ own collective judgment and expertise on a timeline given by DASA Assessment. The team then passes on its progress to the group taking on the next stage for that retention variable. The responsibilities of the three stages are as follows:

Literature Review

The Review Team engages in literature review of current research for their variable of interest and narrows the focus as needed. The team then examines existing data on the topic at NC State and identifies remaining data collection needs for the next stage.

Data Collection

In the Collection stage, data on the variable of interest is collected within NC State’s student population based on the previous team’s recommendations. DASA Assessment’s Pack Assessment Ambassadors lead in the collection of qualitative data by conducting focus groups with undergraduates. All quantitative and qualitative data, along with Ambassador recommendations, are compiled and handed to the final team.

Implementation

The Implementation Team reviews the key data points and shares them with DASA units. Team members work with units to brainstorm ways they can use findings to make small but impactful adjustments to existing unit-level programs and practices. Units then share back with DASA Assessment what changes they have made to improve the underlying retention variable for NC State students.

Recent Actions Taken in DASA

Student Grit, Goals, and Growth Mindset

Faculty and staff in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs work hard to help students succeed. In 2021, DASA units used data to take actions in support of students’ goal-setting and goal achievement.

Student Academic Engagement

At NC State, we work to enrich students’ academic experiences. In 2020, units in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs put data into action to further strengthen our students’ engagement in their academic lives.

Student Sense of Community

Creating community and belonging at NC State matters. In 2019, units in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA) put data into action to further strengthen our students’ sense of belonging and community.

Stage of the RFA Process	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021
Stage 1: Literature Review	Academic Engagement	Grit, Resiliency, and Growth Mindset	—	—
Stage 2: Data Collection	Belonging and Sense of Community	Academic Engagement	Grit, Resiliency, and Growth Mindset	—
Stage 3: Implementation	—	Belonging and Sense of Community	Academic Engagement	Grit, Resiliency, and Growth Mindset

To get involved with a team for this project, please contact Jordan Luzader (jdluzade@ncsu.edu) in DASA Assessment.