Carmene Elmera

The Career Services/Placement department plays an important part in retention at a school. Through these experiences, students become motivated and begin to see themselves in the job they want. Placement services must take place throughout the student's time in their program. I hope to implement this strategy by setting up visits from employers for students to meet with them. 

I've learned that instructors/faculty are important in the retention experience. Instructors who are positive, and engaging, and show their commitment contribute to retention at a school. Students engaged in social and academic activities are more likely to commit themselves to completing their program. I think creating more activities for students to interact with each other will be vital to retention. 

Mentoring can be formal or informal. Implementing mentorship can help create a caring environment and community for students. Having a go-to person can impact retention by allowing students to have someone they can turn to during challenging times.

Orientation should include opportunities for bonding among students. I like the idea of having students write down their names and locations so they can begin to form groups. This event should also include faculty who are positive and inviting, who share their teaching style, and who are approachable. Including upperclassmen is also helpful, as some students may feel more comfortable with a… >>>

I learned that the admissions process is important. The more prospective students get to experience being in the school, the better. This includes tours, classroom sessions, and hands-on experiences. We were able to implement Preorientation with our students and noticed a difference. Additionally, creating a profile of the qualities of successful students can help admissions identify strong candidates who can be successful in the program. Collecting this data can be helpful for the students and the admissions team to address questions and concerns. Moving forward, I think we will create a set schedule for Preorientations and possibly information sessions. Collaborating… >>>