At-risk students can become successful students, but only if institutions learn to identify them quickly and support them effectively.  Two experts in student retention and predictive analytics will describe how institutions can nurture at-risk students into college graduates. They will share solutions that range from day-to-day interactions with students to broad, high-level research that can inform institutional goals, policies, and programs. This webcast will give you the practical, actionable knowledge your institution needs to support at-risk students, thereby increasing graduation rates and answering President Obama's pledge that, by 2020, the United States will have the greatest share of college graduates in the world.

The presenters will explain why some institutional approaches to at-risk students fail—in particular, why what is best for the institution is not always the best for the student—and how to address these issues. Then, they will examine three hierarchical levels where campus professionals have improved first-year student retention:

Level One: Front-Line Faculty and Staff
What information is critical for front-line faculty and staff to effectively identify and work with at-risk students? What form should that information take? Using concrete examples of individual student data used to work with at-risk students at multiple campuses, the presenters will discuss how front-line faculty and staff fit into the overall strategy of retention, and outline best practices for identification and intervention.

Level Two: Program Directors
What information is crucial for program directors and department leaders to design programs and policies focused on the at-risk student? What form should that information take? The presenters will discuss where this group fits into the overall retention strategy. Concrete examples will facilitate idea generation about how program directors can use data in the development of programs and policies.

Level Three: Researchers
How can those who study at-risk students provide information to help campus leaders and front-line faculty and staff inform retention and student success efforts? How should this work be presented and distributed? The presenters will discuss how researchers can fit into the overall strategy of retention, particularly at the institutional level.

The program concludes with an open question and answer period where you can seek guidance for the unique challenges and circumstances affecting student retention at your institution.

1. Identify the overlap between supporting student retention and supporting student development.
2. Recognize the issues confronted by front-line faculty and staff, specifically of identifying students who may be at-risk, staging appropriate interventions, and determining best practices for identification and intervention.
3. Select key elements to move the next level up—thoughtfully designed programs and policies that contribute to student retention and basing those programs and policies on data.
4. Predict how, at the highest level, assessment and research can inform institutional-level discussions related to student retention and success.

• Academic leaders / deans
• Enrollment management professionals
• Retention officers
• Institutional effectiveness and research professionals
• Student affairs leaders
• ...and anyone concerned with the success of at-risk students.