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Sixth Annual
National Symposium on Student Retention
September 27-29, 2010
Mobile, Alabama
Conference
Details
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Who Should Attend
The National Symposium on Student Retention offers attendees a
complete educational experience, with opportunities for collaboration
and networking among leaders and peers working to understand and
improve student success. The symposium focuses on research and evidence
based strategies that impact student retention and completion.
Informative sessions are coupled with a collegial atmosphere to
facilitate networking and interaction among participants. Executives,
administrators, institutional researchers, faculty and staff from
the academic and student support areas will find this symposium
useful and informative.
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Conference Objectives
The focus of the National
Symposium on Student Retention is not merely on retaining students
from the first-year through the second year of their academic program.
This conference is interested in sharing current research and strategies
which support student success throughout the entire Student Retention
Lifecycle supporting student success from enrollment, through year
to year retention, to completing a course of study that leads to
graduation.
- Highlight emerging research in higher education that can inform retention efforts at four-year and two-year institutions.
- Showcase successful, effective programs and strategies and best practices of four-year and two-year institutions.
- Promote opportunities for dialog, networking, and shared understanding between colleagues who are working on issues related to student retention and success.
- Identify useful research and resources for supporting student success though the entire retention life cycle, from enrollment through graduation.
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Call for Proposals
Brief overview of Call for Proposals
CSRDE is particularly
interested in proposals for papers, panels, tutorials, and posters
which address current, evidence based research that advances knowledge
in the student retention and success fields. Proposals may
be submitted to address audience participants at introductory, intermediate,
or advanced levels of experience. However, authors should
be aware that while we will have a few participants that are interested
in introductory information, many of our participants are seeking
more advanced levels of understanding.
We are currently accepting proposals for this year's symposium. Below is a brief description of
the presentation tracks. You are encouraged to download and
review the full Call
for Proposals document for more details.
I. Programs and Initiatives
Proposals in this track will discuss innovative programs and institutional initiatives at either 4-year or 2-yr institutions which have been demonstrated to improve student retention and success. Papers that include a clear evaluation component which measures the effectiveness of the initiatives/interventions in improving retention and completions are preferred. Papers on new promising programs with preliminary findings will be considered. In some cases, papers on initial implantations will be invited to present as a poster or within a panel.
General topics in this category might include:
- Institution-wide, multi-faceted initiatives
- model advising centers
- early alert programs
- intervention programs (for poor math or English skills)
- learning communities
II. Transfers and Retention
Proposals in this track will explore a variety of issues related
to transfer student retention, at community colleges and/or four
year institutions. Topics may include but are not limited to:
orientation, preparation, and integration of transfers into campus
life, compare and contrast approaches to first-time freshman and
the transfer population, examining institutional retention/graduation
rates of transfers, and data collection issues.
III. Looking Beyond the First Year Retention
CSRDE data indicates that the overall percentage of freshmen
who do not continue after the second year and subsequent years
is often equal to the percentage of students that do not continue
after the freshman year. Proposals in this track will discuss
what is being done to sustain institutional retention initiatives
beyond “First-Year”; research on students that do
not persist during or after the second year to better understand
this phenomenon, and retention interventions for these students.
IV. Retention and Special Populations
Continuing the CSRDE tradition of tracking diverse student populations,
proposals in this track will address the status of diverse student
populations and retention efforts directed toward these groups,
including but not limited to: minority students, science, technology,
engineering and mathematics majors (STEM) or other academic majors
of concern, community college transfers, non-traditional students.
V. Data, Technology, and Methods
Proposals in this track will provide presenters with an opportunity
to share analytical methods, or technology that is useful in the
study of student retention issues. Specific topics of interest
could include assessment methodologies for identifying at risk
populations, data mining techniques, and evaluation of retention
initiatives.
VI. Theoretical Models
These proposals will focus on concepts, principles, or relationships
between concepts and principles, which affect the student retention
life cycle. Examples might include research on theories of engagement,
or student perception. Prediction of retention and graduation,
and the influence of student, institutional or external variables
(economy) would also be examples of topics.
And Two New Tracks!
VII. Faculty: Teaching Excellence, Learning Engagement and Retention
The quality of student engagement in academic endeavors as well as the relationships they develop with faculty play a critical role in the success of students. Proposal are sought which highlight the importance of faculty-student interactions in retention. Example might include the redesign of “gate keeping” courses which maintain standards and improve learning while increasing the numbers of completers. Models of faculty mentorship, faculty-student research collaborations and other faculty led activities which have been demonstrated to improve student retention and completion are sought. Evaluation of new learning modalities intended to improve learning and student retention would also be welcome.
VIII. Retention and Completion of Online and Distance Students
Each year we have had papers on online students. This year, however, we are attempting to devote an entire track to this topic. Possible topics include: the identification of characteristics of online/ distance students at risk for drop out; patterns of course taking and their relation to retention and completion; variables related to the successful retention and program completion with online students; methodologies for capturing retention and completion rates of online students; policy changes or curriculum modifications that have favorably impacted online student retention and graduation. Most any topic impacting or related to the retention and completion of online students will be considered. As in all submission, papers which include clear evaluation criteria and measures of success are preferred.
For more detailed information on submitting proposals
Questions? Call 405-325-2158.
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Conference Hotel - Renaissance Hotel, Mobile, Alabama

Renaissance Riverview
Renaissance Riverview Plaza hotel is connected by skywalk to the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center, and located in the revitalized downtown business and entertainment districts. Rising majestically over the sparkling waters of Mobile Bay, enjoy southern charm effortlessly blended with modern ingenuity. Championship golf along the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is situated near this trendy hotel, setting the stage for memorable getaways.
Room reservations are not yet available for the conference. Please check back for registration and the great conference rate.
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Vendor and Sponsor Information
- Do you want to build relationships and network with executive decision makers from a wide variety of institutions?
- Do you want to gain broader exposure for your new products and services?
- Do you want to position your company as a market leader?
If your answer is yes, then you should attend the sixth annual National Symposium on Student Retention as a Vendor, Exhibitor, or Sponsor. We are now accepting application for exhibitors and sponsors for
this year's symposium. There are a number of options for participating
in this year's program and interacting with participants. If you are interested in being an exhibitor or sponsor, download the pdf documents below for more information on this exciting opportunity.
Note to Vendors or Sponsors: We have reserved timeblocks during the concurrent sessions specifically for Vendor Presentations. The are 50 minute sessions during which you may present a case study, whitepaper, or product demo. A paper is not required for these presentations. However, if you would like to submit a paper for peer review and phblciation in the conference proceedings, just indicate such in the Online Abstract Submission form. We are accepting abstracts for these sessions or papers online through March 15, 2010 and after that date by fax as space is available. Vendor Presentation slots are on a space avaibale basis and limited to one per Vendor or Sponsor. Vendors who choose the "Exhibit Only Option" do not register for the conference and are ineligible to make conferencepresentations.
See Call for Proposals.
Go to the Online Abstract Submission Forms.
If you
have any other questions, contact Dr. Rosemary Hayes at 405-325-2158.
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