How can you use data to inform your retention strategies?

1 Identify your retention goals

Before you can use data to inform your retention strategies, you need to define your retention goals and metrics. For example, you may want to increase your first-year retention rate, your graduation rate, or your retention rate for specific student groups. You also need to establish how you will measure and track your retention goals, such as using retention dashboards, surveys, or predictive analytics. Having clear and measurable retention goals will help you align your data collection and analysis with your desired outcomes.

2 Collect relevant and reliable data

To use data to inform your retention strategies, you need to collect relevant and reliable data from various sources and systems. For example, you may want to collect data on student demographics, academic performance, course enrollment, attendance, engagement, satisfaction, feedback, and retention outcomes. You also need to ensure that your data is accurate, consistent, and updated regularly. Having relevant and reliable data will help you understand your current retention situation and identify areas for improvement.

3 Analyze and interpret your data

To use data to inform your retention strategies, you need to analyze and interpret your data using appropriate methods and tools. For example, you may want to use descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression analysis, or cluster analysis to explore your data and find patterns, trends, and relationships. You also need to use visualizations, reports, and dashboards to communicate your data findings and insights. Having analyzed and interpreted data will help you discover the factors that influence your retention and the opportunities for intervention.

4 Implement and evaluate your retention strategies

To use data to inform your retention strategies, you need to implement and evaluate your retention strategies based on your data findings and insights. For example, you may want to use data to design and deliver personalized and targeted retention programs, such as academic support, mentoring, advising, financial aid, or student engagement activities. You also need to use data to monitor and assess the impact and effectiveness of your retention strategies, such as using feedback surveys, retention indicators, or outcome measures. Having implemented and evaluated retention strategies will help you improve your retention performance and student success.

5 Learn and improve from your data

To use data to inform your retention strategies, you need to learn and improve from your data on an ongoing basis. For example, you may want to use data to review and revise your retention goals and metrics, to identify and address any data gaps or issues, or to explore new or emerging data sources or methods. You also need to use data to share and collaborate with your stakeholders, such as faculty, staff, students, or partners, to foster a culture of data-informed decision making and continuous improvement. Having learned and improved from your data will help you enhance your retention strategies and outcomes.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?