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Showing posts from May, 2025

Addressing Mental Health: A Key Component of Student Retention

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  In recent years, universities and colleges around the globe have faced an undeniable reality: student mental health is in crisis. Increasing academic pressure, financial stress, and a growing sense of isolation have all contributed to an alarming rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns among students. As institutions scramble to adapt, one truth has become clear: improving student mental health is not only a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for student retention. The Mental Health Crisis and Dropout Rates The link between mental health and student retention is well established. Research indicates that students facing persistent mental health challenges are significantly more likely to withdraw from their studies. According to the American College Health Association, more than 60% of students report experiencing overwhelming anxiety, and 40% struggle with depression severe enough to affect their academic performance. Left unaddressed, these issues d...

Measuring Alumni Engagement: Why Data-Driven Insights Matter for Universities

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  In today’s hyper-connected world, university-alumni relationships have moved far beyond annual reunions and occasional donation drives. Modern alumni expect personalized communication, meaningful involvement, and digital engagement. To meet these expectations and drive lasting value, universities must go beyond intuition—and embrace data-driven strategies to track and optimize alumni engagement. The Changing Landscape of Alumni Engagement Traditionally, alumni engagement was gauged through anecdotal feedback or one-off events. But these outdated approaches offer limited insight into actual alumni behavior or sentiment. Today’s advancement teams need more than just a list of names—they need data to understand who is engaging, how , and why . With growing competition for donor support, mentorship involvement, and brand advocacy, institutions must adopt intelligent engagement strategies grounded in measurable outcomes. In short, it’s no longer enough to hope your alumni are connect...

The Student Success Blueprint: Tools, Technology, and Best Practices

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  In today’s fast-paced world of higher education, helping students succeed isn’t just a goal—it’s a mission that shapes the future of every institution. As universities seek to improve outcomes across academic performance, engagement, retention, and graduation rates, the question becomes: how can institutions create a sustainable, scalable framework for student success? The answer lies in an intentional combination of strategy, technology, and cross-functional collaboration. This article presents a practical and data-informed blueprint that helps institutions improve student success by integrating the right tools, technology, and best practices . From identifying key challenges to implementing holistic solutions, this guide is designed for higher education leaders, academic advisors, and edtech professionals aiming to create a truly student-centered environment. What Is Student Success—and Why Does It Matter? Student success in higher education refers to the comprehensive develop...