A group of colleges is exploring ways to keep students enrolled in their first two years - the time period when they're most likely to drop out.

The cohort is made up of eleven schools - including the University of Alaska Fairbanks, or UAF, and the University of Alaska Southeast.

The effort, known as the Transforming the Foundational Postsecondary Experience program, is being led by the Gardner Institute.

Jennifer Tilbury - associate vice provost for student success with UAF - said her university's retention rate drops off for second-year students, compared to first-year.

"What does UAF need to address during the first two years of college so that more students can eventually graduate?" asks Tilbury. "That's our central, driving question."

The program is focusing especially on students who leave college in their second year, because it is an overlooked population when it comes to this issue.

According to the Gardner Institute, 75% to 80% of the students who leave college do so in the first two years.

The program will extend in phases over the next five years. Tilbury said UAF makes every effort to retain students.

"This is, in part, an effort to increase retention - increase the sense of belonging for students on campus," asks Tilbury, "which is one thing that leads to students staying and having a satisfying educational experience."

Tilbury said it will also be exciting to learn from some of the other colleges involved.

The cohort is made up of a variety of schools from across the country - including Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, California State University-San Bernadino, Mississippi State University, and Normandale Community College in Minnesota.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.




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The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will use an $800,000 NASA grant to train students in STEM education and aerospace research.

Across the state, 18 colleges and universities are part of the consortium.

Constance Meadors, director of the consortium, said the program trains students to work for NASA as well as preparing them to work in the local aerospace industry.

"We really focus on workforce development, skills development and training," Meadors outlined. "We look to see how we can meet the needs of NASA, but also our goal is to meet the needs of the State of Arkansas as it relates to aerospace or workforce development."

Currently, 10 Arkansas college students are participating in internships at NASA Centers.

Part of the grant money will be used to create portable planetarium programs at several of the affiliate campuses, including Southern Arkansas University and Henderson State University. Students will take the planetariums to schools and community events to introduce more people to space science education.

Meadors added a recent graduate of the consortium received a research position due to his experience in the program.

"Because of having Space Grant research and experience in rocketry, the company had bumped him up," Meadors reported. "We want to impact our local aerospace industry as well, because aerospace is the number 1 export in the State of Arkansas. And so, we want to have homegrown employees."

The consortium will hold its first NASA ASTRO Camp in Arkansas in the fall semester, to teach students and faculty members how to share space exploration with younger students.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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It is only early summer but North Dakota school districts are preparing for the fall.

As in recent years, some administrators are performing what amounts to a high-wire act in balancing resources and services. This year's legislative session saw a 2.5% increase in K-12 funding.

Leslie Bieber, superintendent of Alexander Public Schools, said health insurance costs are climbing higher and the latest national rankings show North Dakota falling further behind in average teacher pay. Bieber noted all those forces create an uphill challenge in maintaining a full staff.

"We had some teachers resign and we are choosing at this point not to replace one, just to help with budgeting purposes," Bieber explained.

Bieber pointed out she will carve out time from her administrative role this fall to help with teaching duties. She acknowledged her district is lucky because its small size does not create a lot of holes to fill but she still would like broader support. Despite misgivings about current funding, controversial plans like private school vouchers or Education Savings Accounts ultimately failed.

Public school advocates said such plans can be threats to their funding. However, North Dakota will begin welcoming charter schools, an approach long opposed by teachers' unions. Bieber stressed no matter the budget challenges in their way, she wants parents and students in her district to feel reassured educators will carry out their mission.

"Our goal is to do what's best for our students, no matter what kind of funds we have," Bieber emphasized.

Like local governments, school districts will have to adjust to a 3% cap on annual property tax increases. Supporters said the cap provides much-needed relief to homeowners, especially after voters rejected a ballot question to largely do away with local property taxes but municipal and educational leaders worry about their ability to cover operational expenses.


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University officials in Indiana are rewriting guidelines for on-campus protests to address a tense political backdrop.

More students are watching and listening to see which institution shares their values.

Last month, a court blocked parts of Indiana University's "expressive activity" policy, which restricted when protests and speeches could take place.

Data from education consulting firm EAB show 14% of prospective students dismiss schools they deem too conservative, and 12% dismiss schools seen as too liberal.

Pam Royall - head of research, enrollment services, and marketing solutions at EAB - said future students are seeking colleges that reflect their beliefs.

"They're eliminating certain institutions that they believe are misaligned with their political values," said Royall, "either because they're too conservative, or they're too liberal, they're in a blue state, or a red state."

Observers call incoming students the Anxious Generation, because more young people now experience that mental health condition.

Royall said the greater sense of anxiety can also be linked to social media usage, and pressure to make decisions in an environment with competing messages.

Protection from gun violence and sexual assault are other key points students feel are important in their college search.

Forty-five percent of students surveyed said anxiety or feelings of isolation had a "moderate to extreme impact" on their college search.

Royall added that heightened stress from adjusting to the college experience can be overwhelming.

"Now," said Royall, "it's also a matter of support for mental health and wellness that is driving students' perception of safety and their sense of belonging on campuses."

Gen Z students also define a safe campus environment as one that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion, and supports free speech.