May 18, 2021

Retention Subcommittee Minutes

Members present: Paul Hoffman, Jessica Shelton, Herman Tucker, Corey Stone, Starlen Roddy, Mario Leal, Staci Taylor, Tisha Monsey, Tamara Culver, Chad Eggleston, Estella Lopez, Tina Lyles

Members absent: Mandy Morrison, Brian Jackson, John Baughman, Claudette Jackson

Members met on 5/18/21 via Zoom.  Members reviewed the full list of suggested recommendations thus far and set priorities for which ideas should be moved forward for review.  

The first recommendation that was identified as priority is to leverage CRM and predictive analytics technology and data.

  • Selecting the program will probably be fairly straightforward.
    • We already have a site license for Slate, and it has both CRM and PA functionality at no additional cost.
    • However, we should start by identifying what we need, and then looking to see what products best match our needs.
  • Knowing what to do with the data, and updating the predictive models periodically will be the bigger challenge.
    • For example, what happens once a student is identified as being “at risk?”
  • Mario, Corey, and Staci agreed to look into options further should the Steering Committee approve this recommendation.

The committee would also like to recommend that MCC establish “circles of care” for students, where cohorts of students have assigned connections with staff members across multiple departments (Admissions, Financial Aid, Advising, Completion Center, NSO, Learning Framework, etc.).

The committee also would like to recommend that MCC research the possibility of expanding childcare services on campus for students.

  • Local and national data shows access to childcare is a barrier for prospective students.
  • Students are a small percentage of the current model’s clientele
    • The cost and wait list makes it difficult for our students
    • Our students don’t necessarily need 8am-5pm daycare
  • Austin CC and Los Angeles Valley College have more of a “drop-in” model, like the YMCA does for its members.
    • Laws of staff ratio may be different if the parent is still on campus and if the child is in the daycare for a limited amount of time.

The last recommendation the committee would like to prioritize is that MCC review internal processes that affect retention (see final bullet point on list of recommendations).

  • We recommend implementing the findings of the external process review.
  • What other processes get in the way of students being able to register?
    • When “Terms and Conditions” went into the Student Planner registration screen, advisors were no longer able to ensure students register. Members reported an issue with students not following through.  Could the advisor accept Terms and Conditions on behalf of the student, acknowledging that they reviewed it with the student, so that the student can be registered at the time of advisement?

Other comments:

  • We recommend developing a way to communicate all of these suggestions (and suggestions created in the future) to the appropriate offices so they can review them and implement what they can, even independent of the SEM report.
    • Could we develop a chart showing who would be responsible for implementation, as well as the status of implementation?
  • Several items in our list of recommendations are already in progress within the departments responsible for those functions.
    • New student orientation
    • Changes in Learning Frameworks
      • Interest in more staff being able to teach these courses, so that students connect with support staff at a deeper level
    • Earlier and more accessible career exploration
    • Assigned Success Coaches earlier in the student’s time at MCC
      • Based on Florida State model
      • Will require more Coaches to implement fully

Next meeting: TBD