Enhancing Graduation Rates Through High Impact Activities: Experiential Learning, Engagement, Mentoring, and Scholarships

Over the past several years, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) has developed and clearly articulated a model for student success. This effort has resulted in six year graduation rates increasing from just under 50% in 2005 to nearly 61% in 2010. Central to increasing student achievement has been the implementation of the Blueprint for success model that uses "high impact experiences" and educational landmarks as a central theme. Among the demonstrated high impact experiences are experiential learning: cooperative education and internships, and engagement with faculty through research and mentoring. GVSU has a strong history of experiential learning with 45-48% of juniors and seniors typically enrolled in credit bearing experiential learning in any given year. Since introducing the blueprint for success that clearly identifies experiential learning as a significant educational landmark, participation jumped to 52-56% with impressive corresponding jumps in graduation rates. In addition to their involvement in experiential learning programs, for the last four years the authors have also been the team leaders in an NSF funded S-STEM project. This program provides mentoring and scholarship support for students with high financial need during the final two years of their studies in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math. The program involves frequent mentoring by faculty, engaging students in faculty scholarly activities, and scholarship support. These elements combine to reduce the likelihood that students will decrease their course loads, work too many jobs, or even "step out" to earn sufficient funds to finish their education. The results of this program have been remarkable, with nearly 100% of these "at risk" students finishing their degrees in a timely manner.