First Year Experience

Retention Initiatives
The Retention Initiatives Area, housed in the Division of Enrollment Management, focuses on the development of the student experience at Western Illinois University to enhance student success. The Retention Initiatives Area is comprised of the Office of Retention Initiatives, the Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement, the First Year Advising Center, and the Transition and Academic Skills Center.
Click on the tabs below to learn more about Retention Initiatives.
Initiatives and Support
Through programmatic development, process review and creation, and data analyzation, the Office of Retention Initiatives endeavors to positively impact student retention and success at Western Illinois University.
University Retention Initiative Plan
The University Retention Initiative Team was charged with the development of a University retention plan. Utilizing institutional research data, best practice review, comparisons to peer institutions, and insight from current students, faculty, staff, non-retained students, and alumni, the University Retention Initiative Team developed a list of barriers to retention and student success. This plan outlines recommended actions Western Illinois University could take to support goals, overcome barriers, and improve student success. This plan is understood to be a direct development of the 2017-2027 Higher Values in Higher Education strategic planning document. The University Retention Initiative Plan and updates can be found here.
Building Connections Mentorship Program
The Building Connections Mentorship program focuses on assisting students in their transition to Western Illinois University. Students are paired with faculty and staff members who facilitate individual meetings to discuss campus connections, resources, and more.
Outreach and Support
The Office of Retention Initiatives coordinates outreach text, call, email, and other campaigns throughout the year to share resources, insight, and support. Our Teleconnector team consists of a group of Western Illinois University students who have a passion for assisting and supporting fellow students.
Connections Mapping Program
The Connections Mapping Program focused on connecting students to valuable campus resources during critical times throughout the semester.
Offices in Retention Area
Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement
The Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement focuses on career development for both the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses, as well as online students. Offering traditional resources like resume review, interview preparation, career navigation and more, the Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement will also focus on the enhancement of employer relations and engagement with our students to create increased experiential learning opportunities. The Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement is found in the lower level of Memorial Hall on the Macomb campus, as well as in QC Complex C on the Quad Cities campus, and led by Audrey Adamson. More can be learned about the Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement at
wiu.edu/careers
.
First Year Advising Center
Incoming first-year students are advised via an outstanding advising team in the First Year Advising Center who support incoming students through their first year with multiple meetings and touch points. The First Year Advising Center also serves students in the Reach program, as well as students who are undecided in their field of study. The First Year Advising Center also supports current high school students who are dually enrolled at Western Illinois University. The First Year Advising Center is located in the lower level of Memorial Hall, led by Michelle Yager. More can be learned about the First Year Advising Center at
wiu.edu/FYadvising
.
Transition and Academic Skills Center
Leatherneck Launch (new student orientation in fall, spring, summer) and Camp Leatherneck are two key programs coordinated from the center to focus on the first steps students take as Leathernecks. The Transition and Academic Skills Center also focus on all students' transition to their academic college life by focusing on academic skill development resources like Rocky's Resources, the Academic Success Coaching Program, academic skill workshops and other tutoring support. The Transition and Academic Skills Center is located in the lower level of Memorial Hall under the leadership of Michelle Janisz. More can be learned about the Transition and Academic Skills Center at
wiu.edu/tasc
.
Office of Retention Initiatives
The Office of Retention Initiatives will continue to provide mentorship programming resources and early intervention initiatives for students located in Sherman Hall. The Office of Retention Initiatives works closely with the Provost's Office on the implementation of the First Year Experience program, as well as the Division of Student Services to ensure processes are in place to support students. More can be learned about the Office of Retention Initiatives at
wiu.edu/retention
.
Retention Staff and Teams
Executive Director of Retention Initiatives
Justin Schuch
Sherman Hall 118
Director of Transition and Academic Skills Center
Dr. Michelle Janisz
Memorial Hall 008
Director of First Year Advising Center
Michelle Yager
Memorial Hall 033
Director of Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement
Audrey Adamson
QC Complex C 1416
Director of Student Outreach and Support
Jackie Miller
Sherman Hall 118
Assistant Director of Retention Initiatives
Kelly Severs
Sherman Hall 118
Graduate Assistants and Support
University Retention Initiative Team
The University Retention Initiative Team was established by the Office of Retention Initiatives to focus on data analyzation and response to meet student needs. The Retention Initiatives Team reviews retention and completion data from IRP, including information relating to subpopulations of students, as well as data provided by IPEDS and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE).
First Name | Last Name | Representing | |
Audrey | Adamson | Quad Cities | Director, Center for Career Preparation and Employer Engagement |
Lori | Baker-Sperry | First Year Experience, Provost's Office | Professor, Liberal Arts and Sciences |
Angela | Bonifas | President's Area | Director, Institutional Research and Planning |
Jackie | Miller | Enrollment Management | Associate Director |
Jill | Bisbee | College of Education and Human Services | Recruitment, Retention and Student Success Officer |
Carl | Ervin | Student Services | Coordinator, Multicultural Center |
Tammy | Killian | College of Fine Arts and Communication | Chair, Theatre and Dance |
Samantha | Klingler | Student Services | Director, Student Development and Success |
Anneliese | Land | College of Fine Arts and Communication | School of Music Recruitment, Retention and Admissions Coordinator |
Sarah | Lawson | Provost's Office | Supervisor, Registrar's Office |
Sara | Lytle | College of Business and Technology | Director, Business and Computer Science Advising |
Sue | Martinelli-Fernandez | College of Arts & Sciences | Dean |
Mark | Mossman | Provost's Office | Associate Provost |
Lorette | Oden | Honors College | Interim Dean |
Jeremy | Robinett | College of Education and Human Services | Assistant Professor |
James | Schmidt | College of Arts and Sciences | Associate Dean |
Justin | Schuch | Enrollment Management | Executive Director |
Michelle | Howe | College of Business and Technology | Instructor |
Amber | Schultz | Enrollment Management | Vice President Enrollment Management |
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