By Steve Gilliam , University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5619
Posted 7-31-09
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Student Success Contract Program at UNCG has been awarded one of the 2009 Lee Noel and Randi Levitz Retention Excellence Awards.
The awards recognize innovative campus retention programs that have helped students reach their goals and persevere through graduation. They were announced at the national Conference on Student Recruitment, Marketing and Retention, July 21-23 in San Antonio, Texas. They are sponsored by Noel-Levitz, a leading firm in higher education consulting,
UNCG’s program operates in the Office of Student Academic Services. It aims to increase the academic success of students who have been formally suspended and dismissed. The program encourages students to take an honest look at their academic history, personal strengths, and goals for their future and, from those, to develop a plan that fosters success. Its components include mentor relationships with advisors in the Student Academic Services Office; creation of individualized academic success plans based on students’ strengths and goals; guidance by academic mentors; information on academic policies; access to UNCG support services; and relationships with professors outside the classroom.
Since the program’s implementation, UNCG has successfully retained more students returning from academic suspension and dismissal and has also seen an increase in the number of students who subsequently return to good academic standing. Previously dismissed students that either persist on probation or return to good standing has increased to 92 percent by fall 2008, while previously suspended students that either persist on probation or return to good standing has reached 74.3%.
Also honored was Albion College for its “Academic Success Course.” The Retention Excellence Awards Program was established by Noel-Levitz in 1989 to honor outstanding achievements in student retention by colleges and universities throughout North America. Winners are selected by a national panel comprised of campus-based retention practitioners. Case studies of the winning schools are available
Noel-Levitz is a nationally recognized higher education consulting firm that specializes in strategic planning for enrollment and student success. Since 1973, Noel-Levitz has helped more than 2,000 universities and colleges throughout North America accomplish their goals for student recruitment, marketing, student retention and strategic enrollment management
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