Culver-Stockton College’s enrollment data for the 2024- 2025 academic year reveals a 1,028 student body in the fall semester, and a following 909 students in the spring semester. This encompasses graduate, online, high school dual credit, and traditional students.
The college’s retention committee focused on tracking students at heightened risk of leaving C-SC. Additionally, the Student Life Department has been dedicated to creating multiple means of engagement and involvement across campus.
The Wire spoke with Cheryl Coulson, Coordinator of Student Engagement to discuss prominent factors and a faculty perspective on the driving forces to maintaining a stable retention rate. Coulson stated departments such as Financial Aid and Student Life are contributors to the retention issue C-SC faces, “The retention committee on campus did a good job of communicating with students who they believed were at risk of leaving our campus. They made sure to help these students in areas of need such as academics, financial aid, and billing to make sure they could return this Spring semester.”
C-SC’s retention committee meets regularly, focusing on students who are at greater risk of leaving and developing personalized intervention plans, academics, finances, and social needs. They are persistent in fostering open communication between both faculty and students.
As crucial as academics and athletics are for students, social engagement plays a key role in the college experience, especially at an isolated campus like C-SC. Situated in the small community of Canton, Missouri, C-SC social engagement is vital for students wanting to grow within the school community and develop a college experience. Coulson expressed her views on how Student Life is doing its part to keep retention rates stable through social activities, however, The Wire spoke with students to see if they shared the same perspectives.
Sophomore and transfer student Tori Pollard expressed enthusiasm for the social activities she attended, including Dinner in the Charles Field House, Career Closet, and Coffee and Donuts. Pollard states these events organized by Student Life serve as a great break away from homework or studying.
In contrast, senior BioChemistry major Caroline Lindsey states there is still room for development in the college’s social events. “I think there’s room for improvement, and taking more into account student opinions. Often Student Life is repetitive with their events, involving costs or bad prizes,” says Lindsey. Despite Lindsey’s critiques, Lindsey did attend the 2023 Winter Formal and praised the quality of food served. However, she wished there was a higher attendance as the event was well thought out and organized, but was lacking student engagement.
Another influencing aspect Coulson highlighted is the impact of breaks between semesters, which dictates students’ decisions to return to C-SC. Coulson stated, “I think that following the spring semester, students go home for the summer and sometimes decide to stay home or closer to home for the following school year,” says Coulson. Longer breaks give time for students to reassess educational objectives, athletic goals, environmental factors, and finances. C-SC being geographically distanced from home for most students can increase these challenges.
It appears that C-SC’s approach to student retention is reflected by the faculty’s determination to keep students enrolled. By providing financial support, academic assistance, and social engagement opportunities, it’s evident the comprehensive support they are reinforcing. In general college retention rates are vitally important to a college’s funding, stability, and continuity. Strong retention rates contribute to an institution’s reputation, effective academic programs, revenue, and the ability to attract and maintain its mission of providing quality education over time for multiple generations.
