Research/Presentation- NCLCA National Conference- September 20, 2011. Title: Strategies for student achievement: Understanding the impact of a student success center

1. David L. Mackzum & Kerri D. McKenna
NCLCA Conference
Learning Centers: At the Crossroads of Student Success
September 30, 2011

2.  Center Structure
 Computer Terminals
 FT Staff Member
 Peer Tutors (paid / non-paid)
 Faculty Office Hours
 Services Offered
 Faculty tutoring
 Phone calls from SSC staff
 Peer tutoring
 Advising
 Mini-lessons from faculty
 Computers

3.  Urban Proprietary School
 Student Population: 300 students
 Non-traditional Student Characteristics (Bean, 1985)
 Financially Independent
 Attended Part-Time
 Delayed Enrollment
 Worked Full-Time
 Had Dependents
 Single Parent
 No High School Diploma
 70% of population labeled Moderately or Higher

4.  In what ways does participation in the retention
intervention, Student Success Center, impact retention
and persistence?
 What resources and services offered by the Student
Success Center were identified as being the most
beneficial to students that aided them in their
persistence to graduation?

5.  Participatory research design
 Anonymous Student Survey: Data was analyzed to
determine predominate themes that emerged from the
data.

6. Question Strongly Agree Agree Unknown Disagree Strongly
Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Participating in the SSC helps students understand classroom
material. _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
The Peer Coaches/Tutors within the SSC helps promote
students being able to stay in school. _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Faculty/Teachers in the SSC promote students being able to
stay in school.
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________
The advising that the SSC promotes students being able to stay
in school. _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
SSC provides students with a clear understanding for what
services the SSC provides. _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
There is a negative association from students about people who
use the SSC services. _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
The SSC is clearly explained to incoming “new” students about
services the SSC provides. _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Faculty/Teachers utilize the SSC for space to tutor and assist
students.
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________

7.  Services that are most beneficial for students (pick one):
 Faculty tutoring
 Phone calls from SSC staff
 Peer tutoring
 Advising
 Mini-lessons from faculty
 Other
:_______________________________________________________
 Services that are the least beneficial for students (pick one):
 Faculty Tutoring
 Phone calls from SSC staff
 Peer tutoring
 Advising
 Mini-lessons from faculty
 Other:___________________________________________________

8. Question Strongly Agree Unknown Disagree Strongly
Agree Disagree
5 4 3 2 1
Participating in the SSC helps students understand 73% 20% 6%
classroom material.
The Peer Coaches/Tutors within the SSC helps promote 54% 30% 6%
students being able to stay in school.
Faculty/Teachers in the SSC promote students being able 71% 26% 2% 1%
to stay in school.
The advising that the SSC promotes students being able to 54% 30% 3%
stay in school.
SSC provides students with a clear understanding for what 70% 26% 3%
services the SSC provides.
There is a negative association from students about people 18% 11% 19% 40% 20%
who use the SSC services.
The SSC is clearly explained to incoming “new” students 67% 19% 13%
about services the SSC provides.
Faculty/Teachers utilize the SSC for space to tutor and 61% 16% 9%
assist students.

9.  Services that are most beneficial for students (pick one):
 Faculty tutoring 28%
 Phone calls from SSC staff 7%
 Peer tutoring 55%
 Advising 14%
 Mini-lessons from faculty 14%
 Computer 6%
 Services that are the least beneficial for students (pick one):
 Faculty Tutoring 3%
 Phone calls from SSC staff 19%
 Peer tutoring 14%
 Advising 13%
 Mini-lessons from faculty 9%
 Nothing 28%
 Overcrowded / Not Enough Help 2%

10.  Survey Questions:
 A negative stereotype exists for SSC participation (29%)
 Students prefer in-person faculty/student engagement
(71%)
 Open Response Questions:
 Peer tutoring is more effective than faculty tutoring.
 “Wellness” calls from SSC staff do not influence student
performance as much as anticipated.
 Continue explanation of Student Success Center services
during orientation.

11.  Increase Peer tutoring opportunities for students.
 Find paid opportunities for students through federal
work study money.
 Limit outreach calls and increase social engagement
through in-person dialogue.
 Allow peer-tutors to visit classes & schedule tutoring
times.
 Create internship opportunities for students who
volunteer time as a tutor.

12.  Explore the impact a formal peer-mentoring system
through the student success center has on student
retention.
 Explore how tutor training affects the retention of
tutors
 Explore the phenomenon that students prefer peer-
tutors over faculty tutors.
 Find out why students who withdrew from school did
not utilize the center services
 Identify faculty suggestions/impressions for the
student success center

13.  What questions do you have?