Quinn, the system’s assistant vice chancellor for student success, outlined several strategies to improve graduation rates and stop students from dropping out. These included increasing financial aid, expanding academic and mental health support services, and providing more opportunities for students to engage with faculty and peers.
They also highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as food and housing insecurity, which can significantly impact a student’s ability to stay in school and graduate on time. By focusing on these areas and implementing targeted interventions, the CSU system hopes to continue making progress towards its graduation goals and ensuring that all students have the support they need to succeed.
Overall, while the CSU system has made significant strides in improving graduation rates over the past decade, there is still work to be done. By identifying and addressing the barriers that prevent students from graduating on time, the system can help more students achieve their academic goals and set them on a path towards success in their chosen careers.
Students are leaving Cal State University (CSU) for various reasons, prompting officials to look for ways to prevent further departures. Deputy Vice Chancellor Perez emphasized the importance of understanding why students leave in order to implement strategies for student retention. She mentioned the challenges of bringing back students who have stopped out, citing bureaucratic obstacles. President Yao of Cal State Channel Islands highlighted the use of exit surveys to gather data on student departures. The data revealed a range of reasons for leaving, with academic struggles being a common thread. However, Yao stressed the need to consider factors beyond academics, such as mental health and basic needs, that may contribute to poor outcomes. The goal is to identify issues early on and address them to improve student retention rates.