InsideTrack

If you’re focused on helping learners with "some college but no credential" (SCNC) return and persist, our recent on-demand webinar will feature a conversation you won't want to miss.

We’ll unpack why coached learners in the California Reconnect initiative were nearly four times more likely to re-enroll than their peers — and significantly more likely to persist. Listen to our expert panel as they explore actionable recommendations for increasing degree attainment and strengthening support for stopped-out learners.

Access the on-demand webinar now: https://www.insidetrack.org/webinars/from-stopping-out-to-stepping-forward-outcomes-and-insights-from-california-reconnect

Providing wraparound student support is a team effort, and clarity is key to ensuring no student slips through the cracks. The most common question we hear is how success coaching works alongside existing student support roles, like advising and counseling.

The answer is additive care. Coaching expands your team's reach with proactive support — it isn't about replacement. Our new resource guide breaks down these distinct roles to provide clarity across your departments.

Explore this guide and five other practical tools in our new Essential Retention Toolkit: https://www.insidetrack.org/toolkits/retention

The traditional, linear pathway to a college degree is no longer the standard. Today, "student swirl" — the concept of learners moving between institutions before earning a degree — is more prominent than it was a decade ago, driven largely by adult learners, dual-enrollment students and individuals looking for short-term certificates.

For institutional leaders managing enrollment, retention and completion, adapting to this fluid movement means rethinking academic program offerings, collegiate calendars and campus support systems. But where can institutions realistically begin to reshape the student journey?

Join a virtual forum hosted by the Chronicle of Higher Education to explore these changes. A Chronicle journalist will bring together a panel of various institutional leaders to discuss real-world strategies for navigating how students move through higher education today.
Thursday, July 9 at 2 p.m. ET

Save your spot and join the conversation: https://www.chronicle.com/events/virtual/the-new-student-swirl

How can we better support learners on their path to graduation and career success? Staying up to date on the latest strategies and research makes all the difference.

When you sign up for our newsletter, you'll receive monthly updates filled with evidence-based insights, practical toolkits and inspiring student stories. It's built specifically for higher education and workforce development professionals who want to drive meaningful impact for their teams and communities.

Subscribe today to stay informed: https://www.insidetrack.org/advancer-newsletter

As a first-generation student, Kayla initially found the university world daunting. Financial barriers forced her to take multiple breaks from her studies, but she never lost sight of her goal. Today we are sharing Kayla’s journey. See how this Florida A&M University student teamed up with a success coach to build critical time-management skills, balance her passion for dance and become a role model for her younger siblings.

Read the full story: https://www.insidetrack.org/learner-stories/kayla

The data is clear: Coaching drives both re-enrollment and persistence. The latest evaluation of the California Reconnect initiative shows significant outcomes for learners who had previously stopped out:

1️⃣ Nearly 4x more likely to re-enroll: 19% of coached learners returned to college, compared to 4.5% of those who received outreach alone
2️⃣ Higher persistence rates: 38% of coached learners persisted to the following term, compared with 22% of uncoached learners
3️⃣ Outperforming averages: Program participants re-enrolled at a rate nearly 3x higher than the state and national averages
4️⃣ First-generation success: While making up 44% of outreach, first-gen students comprised 62% of those persisting after re-enrollment

These findings highlight that individualized support is a key driver of success in statewide re-enrollment initiatives. This 3rd-party evaluation doesn’t just share the numbers — it provides actionable recommendations and key learnings for institutions looking to build sustainable pathways for returning learners.
Download the full report: https://www.insidetrack.org/reports/from-stopping-out-to-stepping-forward-california-reconnect-initiative?utm_campaign=ca_reconnect&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=1781618426

While campus may be quieter over the summer, this is the season when the heavy lifting of student success planning happens. To help your team move from theory to high-impact action, we have gathered our most effective, research-confirmed strategies into one place.

Our new Essential Retention Toolkit offers powerful resources designed to improve student outcomes and drive persistence. Stop leaving success to chance. Start the year with a multi-faceted approach you can trust.

1️⃣ Proactive support strategies
2️⃣ Coaching-informed frameworks
3️⃣ Tools your team can use right now

Access the full toolkit to get all six resources for your team today: www.insidetrack.org/toolkits/retention