ASAO Office Mini Retreat Highlights Focus on Recruitment, Retention, and Communication

In a proactive move to foster collaborative discussions, share insights and identify strategies to enhance CTAHR’s collective efforts in the areas of student recruitment, student retention and communication, ASAO recently organized a mini retreat. This event gathered 31 participants, which included 18 departmental faculty including chairs, faculty advisors, and faculty, to explore key themes of recruitment, retention, and communication.

In line with the pursuit of educational excellence, ASAO invited specific participants chosen by the chair and those who voluntarily joined to actively discuss ways to enhance the office's overall mission in the above themes.

The retreat kicked off with ASAO staff introducing themselves and addressing the current state of the college. They focused on student enrollment trends over a 5-year period, both overall; by departments and degrees and socio-demographics. The staff also highlighted ongoing activities and outcomes (exit surveys) related to recruitment, retention, and communication.

To ensure a strategic approach, participants were divided into three groups, each had the opportunity to participate in all thematic areas. The goal was to encourage two-way communication and a comprehensive understanding of ASAO's role in collaborating with different departments for optimal efficiency and outcomes.

During the breakout sessions, lasting approximately one hour each, participants delved into the intricacies of ASAO's functions and explored collaborative opportunities with different departments. These interactive sessions allowed for valuable insights and the exchange of ideas, contributing to a holistic understanding of the collective efforts needed to achieve CTAHR’s mission. To assess the retreat's effectiveness and identify participant priorities in the three focus areas, a feedback survey is currently underway. This survey will capture participants' highpoints, providing valuable input on their perceptions of the retreat and their priorities regarding recruitment, retention, and communication.

The survey results will be collated, analyzed, and shared with faculty members at the upcoming CTAHR conference in April 2024. This dissemination aims to foster a broader discussion within the academic community, enabling collaborative strategies and initiatives aligned with CTAHR's aspirations and the broader educational mission of the college. The mini retreat reflects ASAO's dedication to continuous improvement and its commitment to creating an environment of educational excellence for students.