This document summarizes the priorities and challenges for institutional change in a student retention and success program at the University of Salford (UoS) in the UK. It outlines key student demographics and performance indicators showing above-average non-continuation rates. It then discusses the case for change including findings from the "What Works?" program that identified priorities like belonging, engagement, and relationships. Challenges in implementing institutional change are described along with the response and impact seen, such as disciplinary effects across UoS and cultural changes in student experience. Evaluation methods and learning points are also briefly touched on.

1. Priorities and challenges for
institutional change
What Works? Student
retention and success
change programme
AUA Managing Change in Higher Education, 1 July
2016
Gill Molyneaux, Executive Policy Officer

2. • Context
• Challenges & priorities
• Evaluation & impact
• Discussion points
Content

3. • 19,000 students
• 78% undergraduates
• 54% female, 46% male
• 68% white, 26% BAME
• 14% disability
UoS UG student context

4. • 42% mature
• 20% LPN
• 20% parental experience of HE
• 33% A level, 76% non-A level /
vocational
• 24% clearing
UoS UG student context

5. Performance indicator 2009/10
performance
2009/10
benchmark
Average non-continuation
England
8.4% N/A
Salford non-continuation 14.3% 11.2%
Young FT, 1st degree 13.3% 10.1%
Young FT, 1st degree LPN 14.8% 12.2%
Young FT, 1st degree, ON 12.8% 9.6%
Mature FT, 1st degree 16.1% 13.3%
The case for change
Source: HESA

6. The case for change
• What Works? phase 1 (2008-11)
• Belonging and engagement
• Mainstream activities in academic
sphere
• Meaningful relationships

7. What Works phase 2 (2012/13 –
2014/15
• 13 HE providers
• Test phase 1 findings
• Institutional change
• Discipline interventions
• Aeronautical Engineering – peer mentoring
• Music & Performance – personal tutoring
• Sports Science – extended induction

8. This is an example of a picture
slide, impact statement to go
here. This is an example of a
picture slide.
Challenge

9. • Internal change
• Loss of senior champion
• Quantity of change
Challenges

10. • Revision of plans
• Focus on explicit discipline links
• New modus operandi
• Adversity aided team building
Response

11. • Difficulty at institutional level
• …and also within the disciplines
• BUT, positive when students
identify with the rationale
Engaging students

12. Impact & Evaluation
What Works? evaluation methodology
What Works? standard survey tool: Belonging,
Engagement & Self-confidence
1. Activities
delivered
2. Attitudes/
behaviour
changed
3. Students
engaged and
‘belong’
4. Improved
retention &
success

13. • Disciplinary impact across UoS
• Catalyst for change - priorities
– ‘Wrapping’ the experience around our students
– Segmentation of the student journey
• How do you measure cultural
change?
Impact & Evaluation

14. Learning points

15. Learning point 1

16. Learning point 2

17. Learning point 3

18. Thank you
g.molyneaux@salford.ac.uk

19. 1. Do any of the themes or points
resonate with your experience of
change?
2. What are the similarities and
differences between UoS and
your own institution’s experience
of change?
Discussion

20. 3. Can you share examples of
effective planning for change?
4. How can we effectively
demonstrate cultural and less
tangible impact?
Discussion