To ensure academic success and retention, the University of San Diego and the Academy of Art University place a high priority on the student's first year. At USD, preceptorial assistants serve as faculty-student liaisons, peer mentors, and general resources for freshman students. At AAU, a partnership with InsideTrack (a company providing student success coaching) has contributed to increased enrollment, retention, and continuous improvement of educational support programs. The session will end with discussion of commonalities and differences in the approaches as well as transferability to other settings.

Presenters: Kate Griffeath, Executive Vice President of Educational Support; Jonathan Ward, Vice President of Online Admissions & Online Student Services, Academy of Art University; Alan Tripp, CEO & Founder, InsideTrack; Carole Huston, Professor and Director of the Center for Educational Excellence; Merrick Marino, Assistant Dean; James Gump, Professor, University of San Diego