Retention rates at Prairie View A&M University reached their highest level in seven years. According to recent data, the percentage of incoming students who returned for their second year sat at 71 percent. In prior years, that number hovered between 64 and 69 percent, with 2009 being the last cohort to reach 71 percent. Similarly, PVAMU saw an increase in second and third-year retention rates.
“We will not pinpoint just one reason for PVAMU’s increased retention rates over the last two years,” said John P. Gardner, assistant vice president for Academic Engagement and Student Success. “We also can’t credit one person, one department, or one unit. It is the students and employees of this university working together with a common goal to intentionally improve student success, both inside and outside of the classroom.”
Records have shown most universities in Texas tend to document their highest student dropout rates after the first year. Various reasons involve students who aren’t performing well academically, financially, or socially.
“Research indicates that students who are academically and socially engaged on campus show a much higher persistence rate than their counterparts,” said Gardner. “We are in the process of bringing to scale proven high-impact practices and best practices to support our students achieve their academic and career aspirations.”
In addition to improved retention rates, PVAMU saw its largest freshman class in the university’s 141-year history this fall.
“We have to keep this momentum going,” said Gardner. “As an institution, we must continually assess our student success initiatives and programs in order to improve the quality of the service we provide to our students. We should also continue to utilize high-impact practices and best practices that are proven to work across socioeconomic lines.”
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-This story by Marchita Shilo originally appeared in Academic Insights.