What is Thriving Tigers?
Thriving Tigers is the newest retention initiative to hit the Fort Hays State University campus. Comprised of three major steps: connect, engage and succeed, students are encouraged in various ways to utilize the existing and constantly improving University resources to improve their chances of success.
Why Retention Matters
According to the Center for College Affordability and Productivity – college student retention and completion rates are stuck – “we are running in place.” At FHSU we recognize that attrition is not just a number. It represents students – real people whose personal or academic problems go uncorrected until it’s too late. Most universities have services and Tiger Pre-enrollment programs to help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. However, these services and programs are frequently utilized the least by the students who need them the most. The students who need them the most are typically unaware of services, reluctant to seek out those services, or both. The challenge is to encourage students to use existing resources when they need them and to become fully engaged in the campus environment. Thriving Tigers is designed to do just that.
Thriving Tigers is based on student development research that correlates student success with the following factors—this is what retention is all about:
• Mattering vs. Marginality – if a student is able to identify one person with whom they are comfortable going to for help, they are more likely to finish school.
• College Student Engagement – successful students are socially and academically committed to an institution.
• Academic and Social Integration – successful students are able to make connections between what they are learning and life events.
Combining all of these elements, Thriving Tigers is designed to increase student engagement and to drive students to programs, services, and resources while blending both the on-campus and on-line worlds in which our students live.
The three steps--Connect, Engage, Succeed--contain programs and services that students are able to utilize on a daily basis to help them succeed at college. Find out for yourself, exactly what FHSU offers when students, parents, and faculty and staff want to connect, engage, and succeed.