(326) Retention Beyond Progression: Efforts of a Student Life Office to Holistically Support Students

Objective : Implement an updated Student Life structure to holistically support and retain students through graduation.

Methods: In September 2022, Student Affairs for pharmacy moved out of the academic structure and into the University structure in the newly created Office of Student Life, Fort Wayne (OSL). In October 2022, success advising, using a case management model, was implemented for all health professions programs, including the Doctor of Pharmacy Program. Success advisors were assigned by program and cohort.

Using a student success platform, the Doctor of Pharmacy early-alert process was enhanced. The platform allows all members of the institution to identify academic and non-academic concerns about any student. The system notifies faculty and staff who have a need-to-know connection with the student. These need-to-know connections are specific to the type of concern. Through this alert process, students who may be struggling are identified and outreach is initiated.

Outreach to students varies based on the trends identified within the platform. A variety of strategies are utilized for individual and group engagement. Individualized communication may include formal or informal calls, emails, or meetings typically initiated by the success advisor. Group activities are provided by the OSL to educate and support students, and sometimes to just have fun.

Results: Anecdotal evidence indicates appreciation from students following success advisor outreach and student engagement initiatives. Plans are in place to pull data from the student success platform relating to interventions and to use focus group questions to assess the qualitative impact of implementing success advising.

Conclusions: Retention is more than tracking academic progression. Success advising meets students where they are to support and enable them to live out their potential.