Recently, Dr. Steve Herr, ALC’s Associate Professor of Education, presented at the National Symposium on Student Retention (NSSR). The Symposium serves as the annual meeting of the Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange (CSRDE), an association of two-year and four-year institutions with the common goal of achieving the highest possible levels of student success through collaboratively sharing data, knowledge, and innovation.
CSRDE is made up of a diverse group of two-year and four-year colleges and universities varying in size, geographical location, Carnegie Classification, selectivity, and mission. Approximately 400 institutions participate in the consortium. The focus of the NSSR is to explore the latest evidence-based research on post-secondary retention and graduation. The intimate, content-focused environment enhances the potential for networking and encourages collaboration among colleagues from diverse fields and institutions.
Dr. Herr’s presentation, “Why Do We Have Band-Aids? Because Band-Aids Work,” was delivered at the organization’s annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 29th. His presentation focused on the use of numerous, small, non-invasive approaches to improve recruitment and retention. Improving retention is an area that Dr. Herr has eagerly approached on the campus of ALC. His methods are sound, and his advice is welcomed on campus. Dean Lafie Crum comments, “It’s wonderful to have such an experienced and well-rounded person on our campus. Dr. Herr is a scholar in every sense of the word. He understands not only the technical theory, jargon, and buzzwords associated with retention improvement. He also understands the common-sense measures institutions can take to improve retention on their campuses. I’m sure he took a lot of wisdom to the Symposium and also brought a lot of wisdom back to Pippa Passes.” Dr. Herr’s studies on retention rates is just one way he is enriching the educational experience of not only students at Alice Lloyd College but also students throughout the United States.