How The Equity in Retention Academy Inspired a Variety of Equitable Changes for The University of Alaska Fairbanks

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How The Equity in Retention Academy Inspired a Variety of Equitable Changes for The University of Alaska Fairbanks

The Equity in Retention Academy provided by The Gardner Institute is a 5 week academy in which institutional teams prepare a student retention process that’s seen through an equitable lens. This academy has institutions look at real data and evidence to develop a plan that ensures race, ethnicity, and family income are not a barrier in student success.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is an Alaska Native serving institution with 5 rural campuses throughout Alaska. The institution is very proud of the Native heritage they serve but were lacking when looking at data about the effectiveness of equity retention. With information and experience provided by Dr. Alexandra Fitts, Vice Provost & Accreditation Liaison Officer of the university, this case study looks at the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ time with The Gardner Institute through the Equity in Retention Academy.

Goal

The University of Alaska Fairbanks were looking to improve their equity retention for groups outside of just the Alaska Natives they’re known for serving. They were missing an organized retention effort including a mission and vision for their recently formed retention team. The university also had a lack of data on their own equity retention when going into the academy.

Process

The Gardner Institute started by having the institution take a look at iPad data showing them their Equity in Retention numbers. From there the institute was able to develop a plan for creating equitable student success at the university. The retention team even created a mission and a vision for their team through the academy after looking at different sets of data and learning about what equity retention means.

Key Insights

  • Data: The university found that the data Gardner provided them with gave them a deeper understanding of the changes they needed to make. The institute was able to see student achievement broken down to course level and desegregation as a whole. Data has now become a huge part of how the university functions. They are even planning to create data dashboards that will give them more information on how their probation policies effect students. 
  • Faculty Development: The university learned that change starts with the faculty and their understanding of equity. Gardner asked these faculty teams to think about retention philosophy through an equitable lens. To continue to develop faculty, the university is investing in Gateway Courses through the Gardner Institute that will allow faculty members to learn different methods which they can analyze and discuss with their fellow colleagues. 

Next Steps

The University of Alaska  Fairbanks is now working to create a new Retention Student Success Center in the university’s library. This will give students a central hub where they can go to get the information they need to succeed. This is just a part of the university’s new First Year advising model which they started to rework after their time in the Equity in Retention academy.

Outcomes

Created a new Associate Vice Provost for Student Success position to run equity retention operations

Created an equality based mission and vision statement for the Equity Retention team

Continue to progress faculty equity understanding through Gateway Courses

Find out more about the Equity in Retention Academy

How The Equity in Retention Academy Inspired a Variety of Equitable Changes for The University of Alaska Fairbanks

The Equity in Retention Academy provided by The Gardner Institute is a 5 week academy in which institutional teams prepare a student retention process that’s seen through an equitable lens. This academy has institutions look at real data and evidence to develop a plan that ensures race, ethnicity, and family income are not a barrier in student success.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is an Alaska Native serving institution with 5 rural campuses throughout Alaska. The institution is very proud of the Native heritage they serve but were lacking when looking at data about the effectiveness of equity retention. With information and experience provided by Dr. Alexandra Fitts, Vice Provost & Accreditation Liaison Officer of the university, this case study looks at the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ time with The Gardner Institute through the Equity in Retention Academy.

Goal

The University of Alaska Fairbanks were looking to improve their equity retention for groups outside of just the Alaska Natives they’re known for serving. They were missing an organized retention effort including a mission and vision for their recently formed retention team. The university also had a lack of data on their own equity retention when going into the academy.

Process

The Gardner Institute started by having the institution take a look at iPad data showing them their Equity in Retention numbers. From there the institute was able to develop a plan for creating equitable student success at the university. The retention team even created a mission and a vision for their team through the academy after looking at different sets of data and learning about what equity retention means.

Key Insights

  • Data: The university found that the data Gardner provided them with gave them a deeper understanding of the changes they needed to make. The institute was able to see student achievement broken down to course level and desegregation as a whole. Data has now become a huge part of how the university functions. They are even planning to create data dashboards that will give them more information on how their probation policies effect students. 
  • Faculty Development: The university learned that change starts with the faculty and their understanding of equity. Gardner asked these faculty teams to think about retention philosophy through an equitable lens. To continue to develop faculty, the university is investing in Gateway Courses through the Gardner Institute that will allow faculty members to learn different methods which they can analyze and discuss with their fellow colleagues. 

Next Steps

The University of Alaska  Fairbanks is now working to create a new Retention Student Success Center in the university’s library. This will give students a central hub where they can go to get the information they need to succeed. This is just a part of the university’s new First Year advising model which they started to rework after their time in the Equity in Retention academy.

Outcomes

Created a new Associate Vice Provost for Student Success position to run equity retention operations

Created an equality based mission and vision statement for the Equity Retention team

Continue to progress faculty equity understanding through Gateway Courses

Find out more about the Equity in Retention Academy