Overview

Student Success & Retention operates on three core commitments: Creating Understanding, Creating Pathways, and Creating Care. Each commitment represents a vital dimension of Elon’s approach to student success, grounded in data, collaboration, and our institutional ethos of relationship-driven education.

Creating Understanding:

Elon’s current retention rate places it among the top institutions in the United States.  As a result, any increase in retention will require Elon to understand each student in terms of the strengths, assets, and needs they bring, along with the intersectionality of these qualities. A framework grounded in accurate, consistent student data will empower Elon to demonstrate upward trends in retention and graduation while enabling timely interventions for students showing signs of risk.

Strategic Initiatives Related to Creating Understanding

Progress Strategic Initiative Recent Steps
Mostly Complete Establish predictive models to forecast first-year retention at key intervals: admissions deposit, mid-semester, end of first semester, winter term, and mid-spring semester, with increasing accuracy at each stage. Established AI based models at various stages of first-year retention; establish primary metrics.  Testing for accuracy.
In Progress Establish a system of structured student micro-check-ins, providing opportunities for proactive support, advising, faculty mentorship, resource development, and success coaching. First Year Check-In launched Fall 2024 as a measure of student belonging, academic success, and retention planning at week 7.  Other check-in options being explored and piloted.
In Progress Establish metrics to track persistence from second to third year, third to fourth year, and fourth year to graduation. Primary metrics being identified and analyzed for effectiveness.
Complete Establish an incoming student transition survey to be completed prior to matriculation, providing targeted resources and proactive outreach to students in need. Launched in summer 2025 and updated summer 2026.
Complete Create accessible, interactive dashboards for faculty and academic leaders to analyze aggregate student success data at both individual and programmatic levels. Launched Student Success Dashboard for advisors and other Success Network members.

 

Creating Pathways:

To achieve stronger student success outcomes, Elon must establish data-informed programs and initiatives that directly support student retention, particularly among populations at risk of attrition. Early assessment efforts show that targeted initiatives can drive meaningful gains in retention and graduation success. These efforts reinforce Elon’s mission of experiential education that is relationship-rich and mentor-driven.

Strategic Initiative Related to Creating Pathways

Progress Strategic Initiative Recent Steps
Complete Establish two new staffing positions (Success Coaches) dedicated to providing direct support, programming, and services for students identified as having a higher risk of non-retention. Hired and onboarded.
Complete Fully implement and drive adoption of the Student Success Dashboard, aiming for 80% adoption among faculty and staff in success roles (51% as of 2024) by the end of Fall 2027. Successful launch. Ongoing need for assessment and improvement to ensure strong usage.
In Process Evaluate and redesign the leave of absence process with the goal of increasing retention among students taking a medical or personal leave. Redesigned Leave and return process launch summer 2026 with better communication and workflow capabilities.
In Process Establish a proactive student intervention protocol addressing students who are taking active steps to transfer from the university. Current progress on most effective steps to take upon notification of transcript or other transfer action.
Mostly Complete Develop a targeted communication and support plan for students entering Elon needing proactive academic support, enhanced nudging, advisor coordination, and integrated care resources. Established Elon 1010 success cohort to create enhanced opportunities for supportive teaching practices among students with greater academic needs.

 

Creating Care:

Retention and persistence are not only measures of academic progress but reflections of the environment and support systems that shape the student experience. To strengthen these outcomes, Elon must further establish a culture of care and success at Elon that centers retention and persistence as primary success outcomes for academic and student life success. Building this culture requires intentional collaboration across divisions, a commitment to proactive outreach, and a focus on ensuring that every student feels recognized, supported, and empowered to thrive throughout their Elon journey.

Strategic Initiatives Related to Creating Care

Progress Strategic Initiative Recent Steps
In Progress Increase faculty participation in Elon’s E-warning system from approximately one-third of faculty to 75% within three years of implementation. Completed updated assessment of e-warning usage Spring 2026.  Creating nudging campaigns and direct outreach as needed.
In Progress Design and implement a proactive, asset-based nudging campaign to increase academic performance, reduce the number of students placed on poor academic status, and enhance campus engagement. Designed and implemented nudges for students receiving multiple e-warnings, At-Risk mid-term grades, and final grades.  Designing nudges related to incompletes, repeat grades, and graduation/degree completion gaps.
Mostly Complete Establish methods to better communicate with students at risk of losing their financial aid due to unsatisfactory academic progress. Incorporated financial aid into the leave and return process, academic nudges campaigns, academic warning and suspension notifications.
In Process Identify and encourage best practices for faculty teaching first-year courses that support transition connections for first-year students in ways that also increase classroom learning. Completed research on classroom pedagogies that support student connectedness and sense of care.  Sponsored Janice McCabe visit to campus.  Support creation of the First Year Faculty Community of Practice.
In Process Explore extending the role of peer leader positions to offer mentorship and support for new students at strategic points throughout the academic year. Pilot proposed to link student leaders with first-year students based on responses to First-Year Check-in.  Working through logistics.
In Process Assess and update academic policies designed to support retention at Elon. Successfully changed policies related to academic warning and suspension to incorporate student success initiatives.  Exploring other policies (repeat, incomplete, etc.).