Hobsons Retention webinar series is designed especially for our Retain clients. Approximately once per month we will host a webinar led by a current Retain client or a Retain account manager. Topics to be covered include defining retention, identifying and communicating with high-risk populations, collecting early alerts, and evaluating your retention efforts. The webinar series will conclude in May 2010, one month before the fifth annual users’ conference, Hobsons University, commences in Minneapolis on June 28, 2010.

I. Retention Defined, California Lutheran University
October 21st 2009, 2 pm EST

To view the recorded webinar, click here.

While perusing College Confidential.com, an informational website for prospective college students and their parents, a student asks “Is the freshman retention rate important?” None of the responses from other prospective students ask “what is retention?” They know. One prospect even referred the questioner to the National Center for Educational Statistics. If potential students understand the importance of retention at the college selection level, institutions must have a working definition of retention to begin a successful retention plan and improve their retention rates.

In the first webinar session of our Retention Series, Angela Naginey, the Director of Retention at California Lutheran University, provides the foundation to our Retention Summit by offering a definition of retention that we all can use when beginning or strengthening our retention efforts.

II. Identify Your At Risk Populations, Utah Valley University
December 1, 2009, 1 pm EST – 2 pm EST

To view the recorded webinar, click here.

Some of your students are at risk the moment they arrive at your institution.  Others will not exhibit signs of being at risk until they are settled into their dorm rooms and classes.  It is up to you to use whatever means available to identify and retain them.

In the second webinar of our retention series Marcy Glassford, Program Coordinator for the Office of Student Success and Retention at Utah Valley University will discuss methods to identify at risk populations before, during, and after arrival on campus so you can prevent current students from becoming former students.

III. Reach Out and Retain At-Risk Populations
February 11, 2010, 2 pm EST

To view the slides from this webinar, click here.

To view the recorded webinar, click here.

You’ve identified the risk factors. You know how to assess a student’s likelihood of leaving your institution. You are doing a great job breaking through the communication barriers with your retention focused messages to the masses. Are you ready to take it to the next level and create more customized and focused messages to your specific at risk populations?

In the third webinar of our series, Chela Kaplan, Director of Retention and Student Success at the University of Kentucky, provides suggestions on how to communicate effectively with each of your at risk populations.

IV. Early Alerts Part I: Faculty and Staff
March 17th 2010, 1 pm EST

To view the slides from this webinar, click here.

To view the recorded webinar, click here.

Communicating with your at-risk populations is just the beginning of a great retention strategy. Successful retention plans involve faculty and staff that interact with students on a regular basis both inside and outside the classroom and can provide warnings to the retention team when students’ success is at risk.

In the fourth webinar of our series Marcy Glassford from Utah Valley University describes the early alert process at Utah Valley and how she uses the Retain early alert functionality to positively impact student retention.

V. Early Alerts Part II: Parents, Alumni, and Community
April 20th 2010, 1:45 pm EST

To view the slides from this webinar, click here.

To view the recorded webinar, click here.

Retention success should not be limited to the efforts of faculty and staff who are already overextended. By including parents, community members, and alumni in your retention efforts you can expand your retention team without increasing your operating budget and work day. 

In the fifth webinar of our series, the Retain Account Management team explores ways in which you can incorporate parent , alumni groups, and community involvement into your retention strategy and achieve even greater results. 

VI. Evaluating Your Retention Efforts
May 18th 2010, 2:00 pm EST

To view the slides from this webinar, coming soon

To view the recorded webinar, click here.

Congratulations! You have successfully identified, reached out, alerted, and retained your students - you think. How can you be sure your efforts were successful and continue to secure funds for retention based initiatives by sharing your success with the right people?

In the sixth webinar of our series, John Brooks, Director of University College at Fayetteville State University, discusses ways to evaluate your retention efforts and report on your successes to your VP of Enrollment, Retention Directors, and others at your institution.