Enhancing Student Persistence in Higher Education

Student persistence—the determination of students to remain enrolled and progress toward graduation—is a critical focus for higher education institutions. Unlike retention, which reflects an institution’s ability to keep students enrolled, persistence emphasizes the student’s commitment to their educational journey. Institutions face numerous challenges, such as disengagement, financial barriers, and evolving educational needs, making persistence an essential metric for success.

Among the most effective solutions for boosting student persistence is ConexED, an all-in-one platform designed to provide proactive support, improve engagement, and deliver data-driven insights. This blog explores the importance of student persistence, the factors influencing it, and how ConexED’s features align with research-backed strategies to enhance it.

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The Importance of Student Persistence

Persistence reflects not only student satisfaction but also the effectiveness of institutional support systems. Research from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that average persistence rates vary across institution types, with four-year private universities achieving the highest rates of 86.3%. In contrast, two-year public colleges and private, for-profit institutions lag behind, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to improve persistence across the board.

High persistence rates are essential for:

• Improving graduation rates.
• Enhancing institutional reputation.
• Supporting the long-term success of students.

For more insights into strategies that support persistence and success, explore the ConexED blog on student success strategies.

Key Factors Influencing Student Persistence

To design effective interventions, institutions must understand the key factors that influence student persistence:

• Academic Preparedness: Students who feel academically ready are more likely to persist. Preparatory programs can enhance confidence and readiness.
• Financial Barriers: High tuition and fees can deter students. Providing scholarships and affordable resources can reduce financial stress.
• Engagement and Community: A strong sense of belonging and involvement in campus activities fosters persistence.
• Access to Support Services: Academic advising, mental health services, and career counseling play a crucial role in helping students navigate challenges.

How ConexED Enhances Student Persistence

ConexED addresses these factors with a suite of features designed to engage and support students effectively:

1. Appointment and Event Scheduling:
   ConexED’s self-scheduling system simplifies the process of connecting students with advisors and campus resources. By eliminating barriers to access, students can get timely assistance, reducing stress and ensuring they stay on track.
2. Virtual One-Stop-Shop:
   In today’s hybrid learning environment, seamless virtual support is critical. ConexED’s virtual one-stop-shop replicates in-office experiences, offering video conferencing, live chat, and other tools to ensure students feel connected and supported, wherever they are.
3. Early Alert and Case Management:
   Proactive intervention is key to persistence. ConexED integrates early alert systems directly into Learning Management Systems (LMS), enabling faculty and staff to identify and support at-risk students. By addressing issues before they escalate, ConexED helps students stay engaged and focused.
4. Student CRM and Cohort Management:
   Personalization is a hallmark of effective student support. ConexED’s CRM tracks student activity and progress, enabling institutions to provide tailored outreach and support. Cohort management tools allow staff to group students by shared characteristics, improving targeted interventions.
5. Business Intelligence Dashboard:
   Data-driven decisions are essential for optimizing persistence strategies. ConexED’s dashboard provides real-time insights into engagement trends and success metrics, empowering institutions to refine their approaches continually.

What Makes a Great Student Persistence Solution?

For any platform to truly drive persistence, it must:

• Provide Holistic Support: Covering the entire student journey, from onboarding to graduation.
• Enable Proactive Intervention: Early alert systems must allow for timely identification and support of at-risk students.
• Integrate Seamlessly: Compatibility with existing systems like LMSs and CRMs ensures ease of use and operational efficiency.
• Be User-Friendly: An intuitive interface is vital for both students and staff to maximize adoption and impact.

ConexED fulfills all these requirements, making it a powerful ally for institutions aiming to improve student persistence.

Research-Backed Strategies Aligned with ConexED

External research supports the strategies employed by ConexED:

• Early Alerts and Proactive Support: A study from Hanover Research shows that early alert systems can increase persistence by up to 20% when coupled with consistent follow-up.
• Student Support Services: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) highlights the critical role of accessible support services in boosting persistence and success. ConexED’s integrated tools ensure students receive timely, personalized support.

Conclusion: Why ConexED is Essential for Student Persistence

ConexED is more than a tool—it’s a comprehensive solution that helps institutions foster student success by addressing the barriers to persistence. Through proactive intervention, seamless virtual support, and data-driven insights, ConexED empowers institutions to create an environment where students feel supported and valued.

As higher education continues to evolve, investing in a platform like ConexED is no longer optional for institutions that want to remain competitive and achieve lasting success. By choosing ConexED, colleges and universities gain a trusted partner in improving student persistence and outcomes.

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