Category Archives: college retention

(#311) Grade Inflation: Have We Arrived In Lake Wobegon?


Grade inflation/distortion has consequences for self-efficacy, self-awareness, and self-competence. For most colleges and universities around the nation, graduation time has arrived. Professors have evaluated the final exams, grades have been submitted, and students anxiously await their grades. Or, more to … Continue reading

Posted in accountability, adjunct faculty, Appropriate Behavior, assumptions, awareness, college retention, confidence, courage, Dreams, Education, education reform, emotional intelligence, Grit, Integrity, Life lessons, Personal growth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

(#296) Not Us. Them.


“A building is not just about itself, but the place where it resides.”-Craig Dykers Did you hear the one about the college president’s view of how to handle struggling students? Reportedly his suggestion was to “drown the bunnies.” No, that’s … Continue reading

Posted in assumptions, Choice, collaboration, college retention, common sense, Community, faculty development, ideologies, intentionality, leadership, Life lessons, Making a Difference, Relationship, teaching and learning | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

(#294) Benefits Of Remaining A Continual Learner


It can help us fill in gaps between assumptions and realities. A few months ago on this blog I posed the question, “Do we take time to experience what our customer, client, or student is experiencing?” Regardless of your profession or … Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety, assumptions, change, college retention, Critical Thinking, effective teaching, growth, habits, Integrity, intentionality, Reflection, Reflective practice, resilience, vulnerability | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#204) College Ready?


I think, more poignantly, the question for our colleges and universities comes down to “Once the students (college-ready or not) are admitted, what do we do to best serve them?” Preparing for my part of an online (virtual) conference this … Continue reading

Posted in college retention, developmental education, Student success | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

(#144) College Retention and Persistence: Ask the Correct Questions


Before we can solve a problem we have to ask the right questions. Today I facilitated a workshop session at the 32nd Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience.  We examined why students stay in college and why they might leave … Continue reading

Posted in college retention, customer service | Tagged , , | 1 Comment