Student Retention Plan

Plan 2014

The purpose of the student retention plan is to outline the procedures, support measures, and engagement opportunities that exist at James Rumsey Technical Institute to attract and retain students in our programs.

Goals and Objectives

• To improve student retention rates by enhancing academic support, personal and professional development, and overall student satisfaction to ensure that students complete their programs and achieve their post-secondary goals.

Personnel Responsible for Overseeing the Plan

Director/Principal

• Develop and support the overarching retention strategy and ensure alignment with institutional goals.
• Provide necessary funding and resources to support retention initiatives.
• Establish policies and frameworks that foster a supportive and engaging environment for students.

Assistant Principal

• Assist in the development, initiation, and oversight of all retention strategies.
• Work with the programs to integrate retention strategies into existing programs and services.
• Analyze retention and feedback data to identify trends, at-risk students, and areas in need of improvement.

Counselor

• Provide counseling and information sessions to prospective and current students regarding program availability, scheduling, support programs, and financial aid information.
• Provide access to counseling services and mental health resources to students to help them manage stress and personal challenges.
• Help students plan their coursework and career paths, addressing any academic or personal concerns they may have.
• Attend local career fairs, business open houses, and collaborative opportunities to increase student enrollment and interest as well as gain knowledge about opportunities for students.

Instructors

• Provide a multi-day orientation to students within respective programs.
• Develop strong partnerships with local industries to provide internships, apprenticeships, and job placement opportunities.
• Engage in annual craft committee meetings in order to maintain strong partnerships with local businesses and industries and maintain awareness of local economic needs.

Activities to Achieve the Objectives

Admissions and Orientation

• Pre-Enrollment Counseling:
  • Offer personalized counseling sessions to help prospective students understand program requirements, career outcomes, and financial commitments.
  • Provide detailed program brochures, curriculum outlines, and tuition information to keep students informed of enrollment options at James Rumsey Technical Institute.
• Program-Based Comprehensive Orientation Program:
  • Implement a multi-day orientation for adult programs that includes introductions to faculty, campus resources, program requirements/expectations and career services.
  • Host an orientation night for high school programs that includes introductions to faculty, campus resources, program requirements/expectations, and schedule overviews.

Academic Support

• Tutoring and Study Groups:
  • Credit recovery is available for students that need to repeat classes at the high school level.
  • Use academic performance data to identify students who might benefit from additional support and maintain communication with home school to implement appropriate interventions.
• Academic Advising:
  • All students will have a counselor to help students plan their coursework and career paths, addressing any academic or personal concerns they may have.

Career Services

• Career Counseling and Job Placement:
  • Offer career counseling through program instruction to help students understand job market trends, resume writing, and interview techniques.
  • Develop strong partnerships with local industries to provide internships, apprenticeships, and job placement opportunities.
• Employer Networking Events:
  • Organize job fairs, networking events, and program-based committee meetings where students can meet potential employers and industry professionals.

Financial Support

• Scholarships and Financial Aid:
  • Provide information on available scholarships, grants, and financial aid options.
  • Assist students in applying for financial support.
• Budgeting Workshops:
  • Recommend local workshops on helping students to complete their FASFA.

Student Engagement and Community

• Extracurricular Activities:
  • Encourage participation in student organizations, clubs, community service, and businesses and industry to foster a sense of belonging and community.
• Student Feedback Mechanism:
  • Regularly solicit feedback from students through surveys, committee meetings, and suggestion boxes. Use this feedback to make improvements and address concerns promptly.
• Social Events:
  • Host social events, community activities, and academic competitions to build a vibrant campus culture and encourage peer connections.

Personal Support Services

• Counseling and Mental Health Services:
  • Provide access to counseling services and mental health resources to help students manage stress and personal challenges.

Faculty and Staff Training

• Professional Development:
  • Invest in ongoing training for faculty and staff to ensure they are equipped to support students effectively, both academically and personally.
• Mentoring Programs:
  • Develop mentoring programs where experienced faculty or alumni provide guidance and support to current students.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Retention Metrics:
  • Track retention rates, student satisfaction scores, and academic performance metrics regularly.
  • Analyze data to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Use data and feedback to refine and enhance retention strategies continually. Implement an annual review process to evaluate the effectiveness of retention initiatives.

Timeline for Review, Evaluation and Revision of the Plan

The student retention plan will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to address institutional changes or needs and student feedback. The current policy and all updates made are reviewed and approved by both the Administrative Council and the LSIC.