More than 4,000 fresh faces will arrive on campus beginning with IntroDUCKtion sessions in July. And we are getting ready to greet them openly and warmly. For these new students—first-years and transfers alike—the influence of a healthy sense of belonging on their persistence cannot be overstated. Research by Stanford’s College Transition Collaborative (CTC) shows that students succeed when they are able to anticipate the challenges of college, recognizing them as normal and temporary. Students are more likely to get involved on campus, to build relationships, and ultimately to persist to graduation at a higher rate. The class of 2020 has a unique opportunity to excel in this area because of our involvement in a three-year program with the CTC—an effort that will provide students with a strong sense of belonging, helping them to build resilience and persist to graduation.
Another way we’re working to equip incoming students with a sense of belonging is through the Common Reading program. The class of 2020 will be exposed to new and challenging ideas via their participation in classes, residence life, and clubs or sports. But also by having a shared reading experience. By working closely with peers to understand dense material, students can build confidence and feel that they are meant to be here and that they have a place in our learning community.
These strong initiatives, combined with our new hire of University of Minnesota assistant professor Doneka Scott as associate vice provost for student success, sets us on track for a smooth transition to a new year.
—Lisa Freinkel, vice provost and dean, Undergraduate Studies