"This groundbreaking book offers a compendium on college student persistence that bridges the gap between concept, theory, and research to successful practice. The book is anchored by the American College Testing organization's What Works in Student Retention survey of 1,100 colleges and universities, which provides insights on the causes of attrition and identifies retention interventions most likely to enhance student persistence. It also includes decision-makers and practitioners with evidence-based interventions and best practices for improving student persistence"-- Provided by publisher.

Preface -- The Authors -- Acknowledgments -- Section 1: What Do We Know -- About Retention and Persistence to Degree? -- Defining, Refining Perspectives on Student Success -- Overview of Theoretical Perspectives on Student Success -- Section 2: The Case for Intensified Campus Efforts -- The Demographic Challenge -- Public and Private Benefits of College -- Retention or Recruitment: Examining the Return on Investment -- Section 3: Core Components of Student Success -- Institutional Culture and Student Engagement -- Academic Preparation -- Psychosocial Characteristics -- Career Development -- Assessing the Impact of Academic, Psychosocial, and Career Development Factors on College Student Success -- Section 4: Proven Student Success Practices -- Historical Perspective on What Works in Student Retention -- Assessment and Course Placement -- Development Education Initiatives -- Academic Advising -- First-Year Transition Programs -- Section 5: Making Student Success a Priority -- Expanding the Retention Framework: Implications for Public and Institutional Policy -- Creating a Student Success Culture -- Leading the Campus to Student Success -- Appendices -- A What Works in Student Retention, 4 Survey -- B What Works in Student Retention? -- References -- Name Index -- Subject Index. Section 1: What Do We Know About Retention and Persistence to Degree? -- Defining, Refining Perspectives on Student Success -- Overview of Theoretical Perspectives on Student Success -- Section 2: The Case for Intensified Campus Efforts -- The Demographic Challenge -- Public and Private Benefits of College -- Retention or Recruitment: Examining the Return on Investment -- Section 3: Core Components of Student Success -- Institutional Culture and Student Engagement -- Academic Preparation -- Psychosocial Characteristics -- Career Development -- Assessing the Impact of Academic, Psychosocial, Career Development -- Section 4: Proven Student Success Practices -- Historical Perspective on What Works in Student Retention -- Assessment and Course Placement -- Development Education Initiatives -- Academic Advising -- First-Year Transition Programs -- Section 5: Making Student Success a Priority -- Expanding the Retention Framework: Implications for Public and Institutional Policy -- Creating a Student Success Culture -- Leading the Campus to Student Success.