Who We Are
The Academic Retention Initiatives at UC Davis comprise four multifaceted programs whose purpose is to:
- promote academic success for students, particularly those facing barriers.
- empower students to engage the full measure of opportunity available at the university.
- help students grow as individuals, find a sense of belonging and access the support needed to realize their aspirations.
Mission
To align with the greater mission of the university and the Division of Student Affairs, the Academic Retention Initiatives promotes and fosters academic success, student development and campus community. We promote a sense of belonging and partnership among our students as they explore their academic goals.
Vision
The Academic Retention Initiatives ensure students have the support, resources and opportunities needed to thrive academically, build resilience and develop a strong sense of connection and community that contributes to their success at UC Davis and beyond. They aim to improve academic outcomes through culturally-relevant programs and resources. Our retention initiatives advocate across campus and regularly collaborate with many departments, colleges and organizations to bridge activities that facilitate student-centered academic success. The Academic Retention Initiatives and affiliated centers provide data and research informed services, spaces and resources.
Anchors
- Academic Seminars
- Culturally relevant classroom experiences that address the intersection of academic success, identity development and the campus community as a place where they can thrive.
- Holistic Academic Advising
- Culturally-informed, asset-based advising focusing on challenges or barriers and successes or opportunities, to provide individualized interventions and coaching.
- Initiative Operations
- To help initiative-associated staff and aspiring student leaders develop problem-solving, planning and decision-making skills in support of their development.
- Institutional Engagement
- Activities that are inclusive of partnerships and coalition building with both institutional (on-campus) and community (external) entities to engage students for success.
- Student Success
- Provide students with the necessary tools to: encourage self-efficacy design, (re)define student success, navigate institutional systems and build social capital.
- Wellness
- Care as a tool for capacity building and community engagement.
The Four Academic Retention Initiatives
The Strategic African American Retention Initiative strives to promote academic success and increase retention and graduation rates of African Diaspora student success emphasizing community engagement and self-exploration.
The Strategic Asian and Pacific Islander Retention Initiative is a conduit of support for Asian and Pasifika scholars as they navigate the university. Diverse programs and services provide culturally-specific support in order to empower and promote the successful degree completion of scholars who identify within these diasporas.
The Strategic Chicanx/Latinx Retention Initiative is focused on the academic, personal, and professional success of Latinx students as well as dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers that negatively impact the campus climate for Latinx students.
The Strategic Native American Retention Initiative is a multifaceted academic success program at UC Davis focused on increasing the retention, persistence and graduation rates of Native American students, in a culturally appropriate way.
Academic Retention Initiatives FAQ
- Why were the Academic Retention Initiatives created?
- The Academic Retention Initiatives were created to serve and are committed to increasing the retention and graduation rates of underrepresented students as directed in the California Governor’s Compact with the University of California and University of California 2030 goals.
- What services do the Academic Retention Initiatives provide?
- The services provided by our four Academic Retention Initiatives include, but are not limited to: academic advising, academic tutoring, academic and cultural programming, First-Year Aggie Connection seminars, basic needs support, professional development, Community Advising Network (CAN) counseling, study spaces and snacks.
- How do the Academic Retention Initiatives collaborate together?
- The Academic Retention Initiatives meet bi-weekly to collaborate on our students’ academic success. We discuss strategic academic and culturally relevant programming and support.
- We host quarterly training sessions for all our Scholar Staff to discuss optimal ways we can support the multi-dimensions of our students.
- The Academic Retention Initiatives collaborate and team build together to keep a pulse on how to best support our students.