Mage-F-NAFSA

A C O M P R E H E N S I V E

RETENTION

S T U D E N T S

- F O R -

I N T E R N AT I O N A L STRATEGY

A C O M P R E H E N S I V E

RETENTION

S T U D E N T S

- F O R -

I N T E R N AT I O N A L STRATEGY

I S I T E V E N P O S S I B L E ?

TOGETHER

A N Y T H I N G

I S P O S S I B L E

•  Introduction

•  What We’re Covering

•  Worldview Perspectives •  Student Retention Theory

•  Best Practices •  Discussion

TOGETHER

A N Y T H I N G

I S P O S S I B L E

Takeaways

Raise your hand if… W H O ’ S I N

T H E R O O M ?

a way of regarding situations or facts and judging their relative importance

What do you notice? How do you react?

Examine all three maps in the room.

What perspectives are being communicated?

Domestic Student Retention Theory

T H E O RY O F S T U D E N T I N V O LV E M E N T

Stresses the importance of student involvement, such as “the amount of physical and psychological energy that the student devotes to the academic experience” in development. •  Emphasized co-curricular involvement •  Legitimized Student Affairs profession •  Retention v. Persistence


Alexander Astin

THEORY OF STUDENT INVOLVEMENT


•  Relies on a desire for physical and psychological interaction

•  Involvement is on a continuum

•  Measurable both qualitatively and quantitatively

P R O S C O N S

•  Students must be actively engaged in their environment

•  Int’l students may be more academically focused

•  Requires physical and psychological energy

•  Amount of learning relies on level of engagement

MODEL OF INSTITUTIONAL DEPARTURE

Identifies major sources of student departure. Without being able to integrate successfully into these areas, students were less likely to persist toward degree attainment:

1.   academic performance 2.   faculty & staff interactions 3.   extracurricular activities 4.   peer interactions


Vincent Tinto

MODEL OF INSTITUTIONAL DEPARTURE


•  Recognizes faculty support to improve retention efforts

•  Recognizes need for academic and social integration

•  Recognize importance of international efforts to retain students

P R O S C O N S

•  Studies on White, Middle Class, Domestic Students

•  How are faculty equipped to support international students?

•  Doesn’t tell institutions how to integrate academic and social involvement

•  Access to myriad of support systems outside campus

MATTERING & MARGINALITY

Schlossberg argues that a sense of belonging is an influential factor in whether student succeeds and develops in college. •  Mattering: “our belief, whether

right or wrong, that we matter to someone else”

•  Marginality: A sense of not fitting in, lead to feelings of depression, irritability and insecurity, and a sense of not mattering.


Nancy Schlossberg

MATTERING & MARGINALITY

Five components of mattering:

1.   Attention (feeling noticed) 2.   Importance (feeling cared for) 3.   Ego extension (affirmation) 4.   Dependence (feeling needed) 5.   Appreciation (feeling valued)


Barriers for International Students

Barriers for International Students

•  Low academic preparation •  Limitations on financial support •  Parents as primary sources of funding •  English as a Second Language •  Social interaction with domestic students •  Confidence navigating US culture •  Time management with work and studies •  Challenge adjusting from competitive or passive

educational systems to a cooperative one •  Understanding of academic expectations •  Size of co-national student group •  Family status in host country •  Previous cross-cultural experience •  Discrimination

Best Practices

L E A D E R S H I P & A D M I N I S T R AT I O N

•  Approachability of campus leaders •  Hosting presenters with global outlook •  Space and facilities (multi-faith prayer room,

lounge, kitchen, global house) •  Addressing institutional silos •  Global institutional partnerships

FA C U LT Y & C U R R I C U L U M

•  Internationalized curriculum •  Interdepartmental communication •  Learning & living communities •  Frequent academic advising •  Study groups

Best Practices

S O C I A L I N T E G R AT I O N

•  Welcoming students before arrival to campus •  Int’l Student mentoring program (iBuddy) •  Partnering with domestic students, study abroad •  Int’l Student newsletter •  Visual art displays •  Student led language workshops

S T U D E N T A C T I V I T I E S

•  Cultural dinner, Int’l Education Week •  Student diversity training (iGroup) •  Conversation partners •  Knowing your population presentation •  Programs to strengthen community ties

and national identity

Best Practices

A S S E S S M E N T

•  Exit interview •  Mission & Learning Outcomes •  Intercultural competency assessment •  Observation rubrics, focus groups •  End of program surveys

Best Practices

L A N G K A W I S K Y B R I D G E

Langkawi Island, Malaysia

T R I F T S U S P E N S I O N B R I D G E

Trift Glacier, Switzerland

H U S S A I N I H A N G I N G B R I D G E

Borit Lake, Pakistan

L O G B R I D G E

Mt. Rainer, United States

Discussion

Discussion

H O W TO C R E AT E A C O M P R E H E N S I V E R E T E N T I O N S T R A G E G Y Take a moment to do an individual inventory of retention best practices in the following categories for your institution: •  Leadership & Administration •  Faculty & Curriculum •  Social Integration •  Student Activities •  Assessment

Assess what’s working well, what could be improved, and what you have questions about. Identify key influencers (staff, faculty, students) to help implement your best practices. Think about what is measurable and achievable. Get ready to share.

B U I L D I N G A B E T T E R B R I D G E

•  Assess your inventory

•  Recognize what’s working well

•  Recognize what needs improvement

•  Identify key influencers

•  Take Action!

Comprehension Retention Strategy for International Students

Mage-F-NAFSA

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