About the Academic Retention Initiatives

The Academic Retention Initiatives are committed to increasing the retention and graduation rates of students as directed in the California Governor’s Compact with the University of California and University of California 2030 goals.

The Academic Retention Initiatives are dedicated to ensuring every UC Davis student has the opportunity to thrive. Outcomes in retention, persistence and graduation rates are closely examined to identify equity gaps that impact student success. Using this data, strategies and resources are developed to address the barriers faced by different student groups, with the goal of improving outcomes for all students. While the work includes customized approaches for different communities based on the gaps identified in the data, the Academic Retention Initiatives are inclusive and designed to support the entire student community, helping every Aggie reach their full potential.

The goals of the Academic Retention Initiatives are to:

• promote academic success for all students, particularly those facing barriers to achieve their academic goals
• improve academic outcomes through student-centered programs and resources
• empower all students to engage the full measure of opportunity available at the university
• help all students grow as individuals, find a sense of belonging and access the support needed to realize their aspirations.

The Academic Retention Initiatives advocate across campus and regularly collaborate with many departments, colleges and organizations to bridge activities that facilitate student-centered academic success. They meet regularly to collaborate on students’ success and discuss strategic academic and student-centered relevant programming and support. 

Programmatic Areas

• Academic Seminars: Student-centered classroom experiences that address the intersection of academic success, identity development and the campus community as a place where they can thrive.
• Academic Success Advising: Student-centered, 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.

Academic Retention Centers 

The Academic Retention Initiatives host four affiliated centers that provide data- and research-informed services, spaces and resources for all students. The services provided by the centers include, but are not limited to: 

• Academic success advising
• Academic tutoring
• Academic and student-centered programming
• First-Year Aggie Connection seminars
• Basic needs support
• Professional development
• Community Advising Network (CAN) counseling
• Study spaces and snacks

Center for African Diaspora Student Success (CADSS)

 

El Centro

 

Lotus Mana Center

 

The Nest