The University of Central Arkansas continues to rank high among the state colleges and universities in student retention and graduation rates.
UCA is second in fall-to-fall retention rates at 71.6 percent, according to a recent report released during the quarterly meeting of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The university’s graduation rate – also second among four-year public institutions – is 42.4 percent.
Retention and graduation rates are based on enrollment and completion activities of cohorts of first-time, full-time, degree or certificate seeking students who began in the fall semesters, according to the report.
“We have a tremendous challenge in higher education today. Many students who have unlimited potential start college but fail to finish,” said UCA President Allen Meadors. “One of our greatest quests over the next decade is to greatly improve our retention and graduation rates in Arkansas. UCA has the second best retention and graduation rates in Arkansas and we should all be proud of this accomplishment but our success needs to be much greater.”
Meadors would like to see the university’s retention rate increase to at least 80 percent and its six-year graduation to increase to at least 55 to 60 percent.
“As you can see, we have challenges before us,” Meadors said. “But, by always having the student’s well-being in mind, we can achieve these increases and more over the next decade.”
One of the goals at UCA is to provide students with various opportunities to academically succeed, said Dr. Sally Roden, interim vice president of enrollment management. When a student experiences academic success, they are more likely to graduate, which results in higher retention rates.
“The emphasis at UCA is not on retention but on student academic success,” she said. “From the time a student enters UCA, programs and services are designed and offered to improve their college life experiences.”
Various programs that help accomplish that goal are: Residential Colleges program, which offers living, learning communities; the Academic Advising Center, which provides incoming freshman with faculty and professional advisors; and the University College helps underprepared student build the foundation for university credit classes. All students are given the opportunity to receive help from the academic support services provided by the Academic Success Center and the Writing Center.
“UCA is dedicated to helping every student develop into a successful student who will graduate and become a responsible citizen,” Roden said.
