Actions

The retention task force hired a national consultant to help CNU understand its retention issues. Guided by research that indicates students who are integrated both academically and socially are more likely to succeed, almost all of CNU’s actions in the academic and social realms are designed to improve student success and impact retention and graduation. A few new endeavors to this end are the Liberal Learning Core, which encompasses the First-Year Seminar, learning communities, increased student activities, additional residence halls, intramural activities, and the unveiling of a new student center. For more information see CNU’s Master Retention Plan.

Results

The latest retention and graduation figures support that CNU’s academic and social endeavors have been effective. From 1997 to 2005, the fall-to-fall 1 st-year retention rates have increased from 69% to 75%. Increases in graduation have been more dramatic. The six-year graduation rate ending in 1999 was 28% compared with 51% in 2006. The latter figure represents the first time in CNU’s history where the graduation rate has exceeded 50%.