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Professional Staff Council

The Many Dimensions of Retention

The efforts to keep students connected, supported, healthy, and engaged so they persist to graduation begin early and continue to commencement.

When students are engaged in educational experiences that include collaboration, shared experiences, learning outside the classroom, and critical inquiry into big ideas that matter, they are more likely to persist to graduation.

At Purchase, high-impact activities begin in the first year at Orientation, continue with First-Year Seminar programs, and carry on through to the senior project.

The benefits of these activities cut across demographics and increase retention, engagement, and graduation rates for all students. The addition of several new programs has already begun or will begin this summer.

These efforts are spearheaded by Patty Bice, Dean of Student Affairs, in conjunction with various Student Affairs Offices, academic directors, and faculty. “We hope that these Patricia Bice initiatives and programs will help students build confidence, a sense of belonging, engagement, involvement, and excitement about the Purchase College learning experience. These programs help students form stronger connections with faculty and staff to support their educational journey to graduation,” says Bice.

First-Year Learning Communities

Incoming BA and BS students must enroll in a first-year seminar, and this year they have a new option: a selection of First-Year Learning Communities taught by Faculty-in-Residence. Open to both residential and commuter students, FYLC seminars focus on a topic chosen by its faculty leader, who also serves as the students’ advisor. An optional residential Summer Fellows program extends orientation for those enrolled.

SummerQuest

Created specifically for rising sophomores currently undeclared or whose GPAs fell below a designated level, SummerQuest is a residential summer program that allows students to reassess their first year and explore what’s next. Working with faculty, career development staff, and academic advisors, participants will consider their strengths and passion to forge a path forward.

Purchase in the City

While the program began in previous years and paused during the pandemic, the hugely successful Purchase in the City returned in full force this past semester with eight trips to New York City, ranging from museums to galleries, Broadway, and walking tours.

Academic Recovery Program

When a student’s GPA falls below a predetermined level, outreach begins explaining the Academic Recovery Program process, emphasizing its role as support and not punishment. Mandatory biweekly meetings, tutoring, workshops, and recommendations for self-care create a foundation for improvement. Also planned are more precise and more thorough communications, including the website.

Cornerstone Connect

The Office of Disability Resources has expanded its fee-based Cornerstone program to those not on the Autism spectrum to take advantage of individual coaching with a learning specialist. Additional support groups open to all students wishing to build their executive functioning skills are also planned. Meet Alyssa McCarthy, the new ODR Director in charge of these changes.

Website

Finally, a retooled Purchase Experience page on the main Academics website repackages what’s new and existing to lay out a clear path and available resources. A new First-Year Journey page goes in greater depth outlining the first-year experience ahead.