Freshman Retention Rises Markedly

Transitioning from high school to college can be an intimidating experience, but McMicken faculty and staff are giving freshmen the skills and resources they need to succeed, and their efforts are delivering positive results. Associate Dean Gigi Escoe noted that this year’s fall to winter retention rate rose “markedly,” while the academic probation percentage continued to fall.

According to the Office of Institutional Research, the freshman cohort for autumn quarter 2004 totaled 1007, and 893 of these students returned in winter quarter 2005. This resulted in an 88.7% retention rate. In autumn quarter of 2005, the freshman cohort was 1102; and of these students, 995 returned in winter quarter 2006, producing a 90.3% retention rate.

Not only has freshman retention shown great improvement, but academic probation percentages continue to decline rapidly. According to Paula Breslin, director of the First Year Experience Program, in autumn of 2002, the number of freshmen on academic probation reached 25%; and over the past three years, it had declined to only 17% by autumn quarter 2005.

“I think what is affecting retention and probation is mandatory advising. As soon as students confirm admission, they are assigned advisers with whom they must meet before registering for classes each quarter their first year,” said Breslin. She noted that mandatory orientation is also impacting the increase in retention and the decrease in probation because orientation familiarizes students with academic resources like the math and writing centers, study groups, and learning communities.

Breslin added, “We can’t underestimate the effect of the First Year Experience Program either. More and more students are participating, faculty and staff have worked very hard on the program in the past two years, and their efforts are yielding tremendous results.”

Sarah Gerrety is currently completing a Journalism program internship for McMicken's Office of Marketing & Communications