Contents
Acknowledgments?xi
Introduction: Getting In Is Not Enough?1
The Changing College Landscape?3
How to Use This Book?6
The Book?s Structure?7
PART I: PRIORITIZING STUDENT SUCCESS?9
1.??Changing Expectations: The Student Success Movement?11
What Is Student Success??12
What Should Define Student Success??15
Making Sure a College Prioritizes Student Success?16
2.??Seeing Beyond the Rankings?21
What Are the Different Kinds of Colleges??21
Understanding Rankings?25
Connecting Rankings to Graduation Rates?26
Examining Graduation Rates and More?27
Acceptance Rates, Selectivity, and Outcomes?29
Criticism of Rankings?30
Finding Data in the College Search?32
PART II: EXCELLING ACADEMICALLY?37
3.??The Curriculum: What Happens in the Classroom Matters?39
Developing a Learning Perspective?40
What Is a Good Course??41
Components of a Course: Tests, Group Projects, and More?47
How Many Classes Should You Take??49
Are There Enough Courses??51
Is Class Size Important??52
Guided Pathways: Structure and Guidance Matters?54
General Education Courses?56
Capstone Courses and Senior Projects?56
What About Online Courses??57
Academic Offerings and Major Selection?59
Double Majors and Combined Bachelor?s + Master?s Programs?62
What About Undecided Majors??64
Limited Access and Restricted Majors?64
Changing Majors?65
Earning College Credit in High School?66
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare?67
4.??Staying on Track: Academic and Student Support?69
Advising and Mentoring?72
Forms of Advising and Mentoring?74
Support for Underrepresented and Underserved Students?77
Support During Emergency, Non-Academic Life Events?79
Parental and Family Support and Engagement?80
Student Engagement with Faculty?83
Academic Support: Libraries, Tutoring, and Study Skills?85
Support During the First Year: Orientation, Onboarding, and Transitions?86
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare?88
PART III: DEVELOPING FULLY?91
5.??Beyond the Classroom: Applied and Experiential Learning?93
Work-Based Learning: Internships and Co-ops?96
Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity?98
Service Learning?101
Study Abroad?102
Assessing a College?s Applied and Experiential Learning?105
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare?106
6.??Does It Matter Who Your Friends Are? Engagement and Leadership Development?108
Culture and Fit?111
Sense of Belonging and Imposter Syndrome?112
Learning Communities: Making College Feel Smaller?114
Honors Programs?115
Residential Life?116
Roommates?118
Student Clubs?119
Volunteering and Community Engagement?120
Fraternities and Sororities?122
Student Government?123
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare?124
7.??Mental Health, Safety, and Wellness?126
College Students? Mental Health?127
Preventative Practices in Mental Health?129
Case Management?130
Family, Guardians, and Student Well-Being?131
Safety and Policing?132
Food and Dining?134
Campus Healthcare?136
Recreation and Personal Fitness?136
Spiritual Wellness?137
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare?138
PART IV: FUNDING AND LAUNCHING FROM COLLEGE?141
8.??Money Matters: Costs and Financial Aid?143
Understanding the Costs of College?144
Return on Investment in Higher Education?147
What Is Financial Aid??148
What Are the Different Forms of Financial Aid??149
How Is Aid Presented by the College??153
Should You Take Loans??154
Working During College?155
Factoring in Graduate School?157
Colleges? Resources for Student Financial Wellness?158
What Students Can Do Before College to Prepare?159
9.??Success After College: Employment, Further Education, and Beyond?161
How to Approach and Evaluate Colleges? Career Services?162
Matching Qualifications to Postgraduation Outcomes?165
What Do Employers Look for in Students??167
Civic Development: Making Contributions After College?168
Concluding Thoughts?170
Brief Glossary of Student Success Terms?171
References?177
Index?191
About the Author?204
