Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

WIU Recognized For Retention Efforts

www.linkedin.com

Western Illinois University is one of three institutions in the nation being honored for outstanding efforts in retaining students.

Western's success is attributed to itsBuilding Connections Mentoring Program, in which faculty and staff volunteer to help new students obtain the necessary resources provided throughout college.

Assistant Director for Admissions Sarah Lytle said the program designates a mentor for every incoming student to help them transition to college life.

"This volunteer or mentor spends some time getting to know the student, and helps them connect them to different resources on campus."

Lytle also said the transition can be intimidating for new students, therefore by having a mentor, the students feel they are being taken care of.

The national honor Western received is called the Lee Noel-Randi Levitz Retention Excellence Award. It was given by Noel-Levitz, a higher education consulting firm.

As we previously reported, retention efforts have been a big priority for the university and enrollment numbers continues to drop.

Lytle said  Western is excited about the recent achievements and feels hopeful that the upward trend in retention will continue.