The Challenge

Loyola embarked on a period of transformational change by identifying areas where strategic investment could make a meaningful improvement in student and institutional outcomes. With student persistence identified as a key priority area, the university set an ambitious target of raising first-year retention four percentage points in one year. Student support efforts aimed at retention, including a referral-based coaching program, were already in place, but Loyola needed a new approach that would make a rapid and sustainable impact on student success.