Student success in college: creating conditions that matter

Abstract

Kuh, George D., Kinzie, Jillian, Schuh, John H., Whitt, Elizabeth J., and Associates, 2010. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. $30.00 ISBN: 978-0-470-59909-9Student Success in College: Creating Conditions That Matter offers a closer look into the U.S. system of higher education, seeking to answer the following question: What policies, programs, and practices promote student success? The authors embark on this journey examining a group of 20 four-year colleges and universities (e.g. schools included eight private and 12 public institutions representing 17 different states, with populations ranging from 682 to 23,063 students) that have fostered educational environments where engagement and success have transformed the experiences of enrolled students. For the purpose of this review, we organize our thoughts in the following two sections:Promoting Student SuccessThe book thoroughly describes necessary conditions for student success and provides guidance for how institutions can create those environments. The authors reiterate throughout that the policies and programs described in the book are not unique to these institutions. What sets these 20 institutions apart is that when they design and implement policies and programs, they take serious consideration of their environment (e.g., campus location, setting, student demographics, traditions, history) and make sure that decisions taken align with the mission and vision of the institution. For example, the authors describe in detail how the University of Kansas begins stressing the importance of success to freshmen students during Hawk Week. This weeklong schedule of activities at the beginning of the year teaches incoming students the traditions on campus, and encourages them to become part of those traditions, hence encouraging student success by creating a strong campus community.The authors argue that these schools work to offer opportunities that are tailored to their students, creating a meaningful learning experience centered on engaged and involved students. Among several examples, the authors describe how Evergreen State College (small public liberal arts college) provides affordable childcare to accommodate a large number of students who have dependents. They illustrate how Manchester College (a small private liberal arts college), a school located in a large urban area, has designed its campus around creating an intimate community atmosphere with the use of small buildings and classrooms. They also highlight how Alverno College (a private women's college) connects nursing students with the local Hmong community in Milwaukee, providing crosscultural experiences right at home.Within each of the sections and chapters, the authors achieve a conversational tone that incorporates these rich specific examples, includes commentary by faculty and staff, and provides detailed accounts of how and why the work of these institutions is worth replicating. This approach makes the book personable and provides an encouraging message to schools looking to improve student engagement, satisfaction, and personal development.Lessons Learned:Working with International StudentsA feature defining these schools is that they continuously attempt to develop a campus that offers opportunities for all students to enhance their educational experience. Thus, a question that must be asked is how institutions fulfill the needs of an increasingly diverse student body, especially one that represents a myriad of backgrounds and characteristics? In 2011, the number of international students increased to 723,277 in the United States. As a group, it is argued that international students can bring diverse global perspectives to the classroom, provide a renewed perspective on global education, and open a valuable window for cross-cultural interaction with local students. While these and many other educational benefits are associated with the presence of international students on campus, it is important to remember that international students also confront adjustment challenges (e. …