IMPROVING STUDENT SUCCESS IN HIGHER EDUCATION USING AN INTERACTIVE AND ADAPTIVE APPROACH.

Background: Numerous academic, personal, and social challenges create impediments to student success in postsecondary education, causing immense concern relative to retention and graduation. Additionally, higher learning institutions are noticing a shift in the characteristics of the student body as well as a growing student presence in fully online courses. The need to increase student engagement and retention is greater than ever following the sudden disruption to the learning environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, postsecondary institutions should not merely focus on retention rates but also uphold a commitment to high expectations and quality from students and faculty alike. In order to engage and retain students, faculty must shift the academic environment to adapt and accommodate the evolving characteristics of the modern student (e.g., students over the age of 25 who have competing work/life demands). Framework: We propose a 3-tier framework based on existing evidence regarding the student engagement theory and provide undergraduate student retention strategies. Objective: The objective of this paper is to develop an adaptive student engagement and retention model using the Middle Georgia State University's Program of Health Services Administration (HSA) student demographic data from student and course management systems to provide higher education faculty and students with useful measures to ensure student success throughout their educational endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]