CCCSE Report Reinforces Understanding of Key Drivers Impacting Student Persistence

In the recent study by the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) at the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin), community college students share a glimpse of what support systems are most effective and what challenges hinder their ability to persist at their institution. The paper, titled Listen to Me: Community College Students Tell Us What Helps Them Persist, was recently featured in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.

The key findings from the report support common themes that have been key in addressing the college completion crisis. Namely, there are consistently four main drivers impacting student persistence:

• Academic Engagement
• Financial Distress
• Wellness
• Engagement

Different studies may use slightly different definitions. For example, last week we pointed to a study out of the University of Pittsburgh which outlined “lack of teacher support” as a driver specifically impacting Hispanic students. Ultimately this type of a barrier is a sub-driver underneath Academic Engagement.

These drivers have been identified and reinforced through a variety of sources over the years; most notably defined by the work of Dr. Vincent Tinto who encourages us to look at student success through the eyes of students.

Leveraging Research to Support Student Persistence

Working with EdSights is a strategic way to operationalize the theories that originated with Dr. Vincent Tinto and have been consistently reinforced over the past four decades. Our Adaptive AI framework, delivered via SMS text messaging, enables institutions to identify students who are most at risk of not persisting earlier than traditional methods alone.

The process includes automated check-ins which help to create a sense of belonging while concurrently identifying students who are impacted by the key drivers outlined by Tinto’s research which has been supported and substantiated by each study thereafter.

Join Us On October 20th to See How SUNY Genesee Community College Built an Award Winning Persistence Plan Using AI and SMS

Leveraging Tinto’s research as a guide, SUNY Genesee Community College has leveraged EdSights AI framework to develop and deploy a student persistence plan that was recognized by the SUNY system as a model of success.

On October 20, 2022 at 2 PM ET GCC’s VP of Student and Enrollment Services, Dr. Shelitha Williams, will be sharing an overview of their success and discussing how they measure success.

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