Academic Case Management and College Student Retention

Abstract

Abstract Many institutions of higher education struggle with low retention rates. One state liberal arts college addressed this concern by assigning an academic case manager to higher risk students. This project evaluated the effectiveness of the case manager on student credit hours and retention using a randomized control trial. The case manager contacted assigned students regularly, meeting with students and helping them navigate college and their classes. We found that students randomly assigned to the case manager earned higher grades, completed more credits, and were more likely to return to campus the second semester of the academic year.