Category: Retention

2017, Research/Policy, Retention, Student Success

Legislation to Improve Graduation Rates Could Have the Opposite Effect

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Scholar, Educational Policy Institute This is an opinion piece I wrote for the Chronicle Review and published on January 23, 2004. I stumbled upon it the other day and thought it was worth a repost on The Swail Letter. Let me know if you agree, disagree, and whether the same holds true 13 years later. As Congress tackles the reauthorization … Continue reading Legislation to Improve Graduation Rates Could Have the Opposite Effect

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2016, Research/Policy, Retention, Student Success

“Put a Glock to Their Heads”

by Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute “This is hard for you because you think of the students as cuddly bunnies, but you can’t. You just have to drown the bunnies. Put a Glock to their heads.”\   The above is a quote from former Mount St. Mary’s University President Simon Newman earlier this year. I say former, because the quote, in part, forced … Continue reading “Put a Glock to Their Heads”

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2016, College Affordability, Research/Policy, Retention, Student Success

So How Much Does Student Departure Cost Your Institution?

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute In 2013, state and federal governments spent approximately $150 billion on higher education. This includes funding for Pell Grants, state grants, research, and direct subsidies for students. To put this in some perspective, federal funding amounted to $227 per person in the US, and about double that if state funds are included. On the … Continue reading So How Much Does Student Departure Cost Your Institution?

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2016, Advising, Retention, Student Success

Coaching for Student Success

by Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute I came across a quick article today on Ohio University’s website titled: Are You a Good Coach–or a Great One? At the start, the article says: “Successful coaches are more than great motivators. They are leaders, mentors, and teachers. They cultivate behaviors in their athletes that drive passion and performance.” I am always intrigued that at … Continue reading Coaching for Student Success

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2016, College Access, College Affordability, Financial Aid, Research/Policy, Retention, Student Success

Improving Minority Student Participation and Retention in Higher Education.

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute Back in 2005, I was asked by the Colorado Department of Higher Education to conduct a workshop and provide a Q&A on improving minority participation in higher education. This was on the heels of my 2003 Jossey-Bass publication, Retaining Minority Students in Higher Education with friends and colleagues Laura Perna and Ken Redd. I came across … Continue reading Improving Minority Student Participation and Retention in Higher Education.

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