At Goucher, we aim to prepare students with a broad, humane perspective that leads to student success. Our educational programs are inclusive and attentive to those who have been historically marginalized or excluded. We believe that students who engage deeply with our institutional learning outcomes are more likely to take ownership of their educational journey, with the ability to set and pursue their own goals and graduate in a timely manner. In addition, by investing in the learning experiences that Goucher has to offer, students will make meaningful contributions to the Goucher community and be prepared to lead purposeful lives, contribute to their communities, and achieve their career, financial, and personal goals.

 

How We Prepare Students

The Office of Retention and Student Success contributes to this mission by:

• Establishing a college-wide vision for student success and identifying issues and solutions that improve the student experience and positively impact retention and graduation rates.
• Promoting and facilitating a student-centered culture.
• Welcoming and advising transfer students through transfer pre-advising, which includes setting up their first semester schedule, identifying key connections on campus, and removing barriers to a successful transition to Goucher.
• Working collaboratively across the college to implement student success initiatives (the LAUNCH Network, the onboarding process for all new students, etc.).
• Supporting registration and re-enrollment through proactive engagement with students as well as following up with those who have not registered in a timely manner.
• Assisting students with various roadblocks, including billing holds and other financial issues.
• Supporting and coaching students who are contemplating a leave of absence or considering withdrawing from the college.
• Assisting students who decide to leave in completing leave of absence forms, withdrawal forms, and/or exit surveys.
• Gathering, interpreting, and sharing retention and graduation data with the campus community, in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and other campus experts.
• Leading efforts to identify and support students who are experiencing difficulties that impede their success. This work is coordinated through the Care Team and the use of the Navigate student success software.

 

Partnerships

Our key campus partners:

• Academic Center for Excellence
• Student Success Teams
• The Dean of Students Office
• The Center for Race, Equity, and Identity
• Office of Residential Life
• Office of New Student Programs
• Office of Institutional Effectiveness
• Student Financial Services

 

Contacts

studentsuccess@goucher.edu
Emily Perl, Associate Vice President for Student Success