Student Progress Reports Provide Opportunity for Early Academic Intervention

Through research, Hennepin Technical College (HTC) found that students who earn below a C grade in a course are 60 percent more likely to drop out of college. To change this outcome, Academic and Student Affairs collaborated to design a way for faculty to easily identify when a student is not earning a C or better grade in a course. Once students are identified, HTC professional tutors contact them to provide support. Students report gratitude for the outreach and many meet with tutors or share other information about their individual story that may result in a counselor, social worker, or student success advisor offering other resources and support to stay enrolled. Hundreds of students have been identified through student progress reports to date. This collaboration has had an extremely positive effect on students, with 77 percent of those reported having been retained to the next term or graduated. HTC is proud of this innovative and collaborative program to improve retention and student success.

Innovators

• Jessica Lauritsen, Vice President, Student Affairs
• Jennifer McDowell, Director, Academic Affairs
• Michelle Obergfoll, Director, Academic Support Programs, and Coordinator, Title IX
• Leanne Rogstad, Vice President, Academic Affairs
• Shannon Thomas, Associate Vice President, Technology, Research, and Planning