Graduation and Retention Taskforce
The Graduation and Retention Taskforce is chaired by the AVP for Student Success and a college dean appointed by the Provost.
This Taskforce is Charged With:
- Analyzing retention and graduation rates data
- Recommending and, to the extent possible, implementing evidence-based best practices to improve overall retention and graduation rates
- Recommending pathways for improving retention and graduation rates for the institution and for each college
- Supporting a strategy to help UNC integrate best practices and data-based decision-making regarding retention and graduation efforts
Co-Chairs:
- Jared Stallones, Dean, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
- Stephanie Torrez, Assistant Vice President, Student Academic Success
Taskforce Members:
- Enrique Benavidez, Undergraduate Student, Student Body President
- Santos Cortez, Tutoring Coordinator, Student Academic Success
- Ginger Fisher, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
- Aisha Gallion, Academic Advisor, College of Performing and Visual Arts
- Cristóbal Garcia, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, University Advancement
- Gardiner Tucker, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Student Affairs
- Kim Monroe, Graduate Student
- Jasmine Rodriguez, Undergraduate Student, EBS Senator
- Sonia Schaible-Brandon, Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Academic Affairs
- David Slykhuis, Associate Dean, College of Natural and Health Sciences
- Beth Stover, Graduate Student
- Gabi Swize, Undergraduate Student, NHS Senator
- Victoria Terranova, Associate Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Phil Wyperd, Director of Institutional Systems and Architecture, IM&T
- Melissa Lea, Assistant Director of Advising, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (task force support)
The taskforce meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month from 12:30-2:00 p.m. and is comprised of the following:
- Two (2) students (preferably an undergraduate and a graduate student)
- Two (2) faculty
- Two (2) staff engaged with student success efforts
- Two (2) representatives from Academic Affairs leadership
- One (1) representative from Student Affairs
- One (1) representative from Finance and Administration
- One (1) representative from University Advancement
Graduation and Retention Taskforce: 2021-22 Goals
- Support evidence-based education and action regarding retention, graduation rates, and equity gaps;
- Identify effective intervention strategies to retain students in their first two years at UNC;
- Recommend changes to procedures or policy to eliminate operational barriers to student retention and timely graduation;
- Identify effective strategies to support student progress toward timely graduation.
