Persisting Together: Increasing Student Retention through Connections
Connections, and feeling a sense of belonging, are an integral part of retention and persistence. When we can find ways to help build connections for our students, we increase the chances that a given student will return to the university. In light of this, during the 2024-25 academic year, the Faculty Development Center will run a learning community that explores what faculty can do, in the academic realm, to improve student engagement and connection, particularly during the early years of college.
This learning community will consist of both faculty and students who aim to generate conversations surrounding student experience and ways it could be enhanced. The goal will be to create from this process artifacts that could be used to help teach others (both students and faculty) effective techniques for building these student-to-faculty, and student-to-student, connections.
Students and faculty who participate in this learning community will have the opportunity to contribute to addressing a significant challenge at EMU. They will leave with enhanced connections across the student-faculty divide, as well as new perspectives on the EMU experience that they can bring into their classes, whichever side of the desk they sit at. They will also become part of a growing community rethinking many assumptions about higher education, at EMU and beyond.
Faculty and students completing the learning community will be paid a $500 honorarium at the end of the school year.
This learning community will be facilitated by Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Faculty Development Center, and Alivia "Liv" Overbee, Faculty Development Center Graduate Assistant.
Meeting Dates/Times/Locations
This learning community will meet every two to three weeks during the 2024-25 academic year, with more meetings frontloaded in the fall. Fall meetings will take place as follows, while winter meetings will be scheduled later in the year.
- Tuesday, September 24, 3:30 PM
- Tuesday, October 8, 3:30 PM
- Tuesday, October 22, 3:30 PM
- Tuesday, November 12, 3:30 PM
- Tuesday, December 3, 3:30 PM
Meetings will be held in 109B Halle (the Collaboratory).
Saturn Allen Expand dropdown
Saturn Allen, Student As a commuter student who spends a majority of their day either at home studying or in class learning, the most important thing a university can offer is easy access to on-campus resources and opportunities. I would love to help make EMU students like myself more aware of opportunities that are already available to them, as well as help to develop and workshop new and innovative ideas for how to make our campus feel more accessible. Lukas Gebhardt Expand dropdown
Lukas Gebhardt, Student Hi, my name is Lukas and I am a senior studying political science and history at Eastern Michigan! Outside of my time on campus attending classes and Moot Court practice, I enjoy reading, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my two cats.Christine Clark Expand dropdown
Christine Clark, Department Head and Professor, Geography & Geology Christine Clark is the Department Head of Geography and Geology and is in her 23rd year at EMU. She has previously worked on Retention Committees at both the Provost and College level and believes in fostering a sense of belonging to all those associated with EMU. Riley Coffee Expand dropdown
Riley Coffee, Student Riley is a senior studying history and political science. He also works on campus as one of the Honors College’s lead student fellows.Joel Collen Expand dropdown
Joel Collen, Student I’m currently studying psychology while working for Veteran Student Support Services on campus. I’ve already had the opportunity to look at retention for student-veterans at EMU and I’m eager to bring that knowledge to the Persisting Together learning community. I hope to contribute to Persisting Together and to learn from students and faculty so that I can bring that knowledge back to VSSS. Andrew Cornett Expand dropdown
Andrew Cornett, Associate Dean, Honors College Andrew Cornett has been at EMU since 2011, serving as Professor and Undergraduate Coordinator for the Exercise Science Program for most of that time. He now serves as the Associate Dean of the Honors College. Andrew has long been interested in recruitment and retention. Jennifer Felts Expand dropdown
Jennifer Felts, Full-Time Lecturer, Theatre Arts Jennifer Felts lives in Ypsilanti and has taught Theatre Arts at Eastern Michigan University for 17 years, first as a part-time lecturer and currently as a full-time lecturer. At EMU she has taught courses in acting, voice, movement, play theory, and theatre appreciation. With a background in devised physical theatre, Jennifer is a movement expert, choreographer, director, actor and teacher. Using this skill-set, she has contributed to over 40 productions at EMU. Kimberly Jones Expand dropdown
Kimberly Jones, Instructor, UNIV Kimberly Jones works as a Success Coach in the Holman Success Center and an instructor of UNIV 101L3: Introduction to Student Success. Affectionately known by students as Ms.Kim, she is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and professional goals in life while maintaining a fun and engaged work-life balance. Kim has earned her master's in educational leadership: higher education student affairs (HESA), a graduate certificate in higher education: academic advising, a bachelor's degree in psychology, and a bachelor's in literature; all from Eastern Michigan University. Kim has spent over fifteen years working with the EMU Alumni Association and has served as President of the Eastern Michigan University Black Alumni Association (EMUBA) from 2016-2020. Kim is a devoted mother to her family, while serving her community as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Lambda Pi Omega Chapter and as the President of Renaissance High School Alumni Association in Detroit. Matthew Kirkpatrick Expand dropdown
Matthew Kirkpatrick, Associate Professor, English Language and Literature Matthew Kirkpatrick is a professor in the English department where he teaches creative writing. He has a novel forthcoming in spring 2025. W. John Koolage Expand dropdown
W. John Koolage, Professor, Philosophy; Director, General Education Dr. W. John Koolage is a Professor of Philosophy, whose research interests include the scholarship of teaching and learning, general and feminist philosophy of science, and philosophy of psychology. He has long been an advocate of learner centered pedagogy, and he loves to collaborate in the development of learning spaces both in and beyond the classroom. Ricki Kreps Expand dropdown
Ricki Kreps, Student Ricki Kreps is a member of the School of Social Work, Honors College, and the Department of Arts and Sciences at EMU, where community building is their primary focus. Ricki’s mission is to amplify the voices of vulnerable populations and advocate for social justice in every facet of their personal and professional practice. Reese McClelland Expand dropdown
Reese McClelland, Student
A junior studying Communication and Business Management, Reese McClelland is excited to dig deeper into her work with the Faculty Development Center. She looks forward to bringing her unique perspective and experiences with various on campus departments and organizations to support the university retention initiatives.Ivory Obasi Expand dropdown
Ivory Obasi, Student My name is Ivory Obasi and I use they them pronouns! I attend Eastern Michigan as a sophomore while studying in civil engineering with a minor in sustainability. Maria-Serena Poli Expand dropdown
Maria-Serena Poli, Professor, Geography & Geology Dr. Poli is a marine micropaleontologists who studies past changes in ocean environments and climate. She has been at EMU since 2000, where she teaches in the Earth System Science program. During her free time she enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and woodworking. Nick Pomante Expand dropdown
Nicholas Pomante, Clincal Coordinator, Dietetics Nick Pomante is the Clinical Coordinator of the Dietetics program at EMU where he works with dietitians to secure supervised practice experiences for EMU Dietetic students. Nick enjoys working with preceptors from around the country to design quality educational experiences that prepare the next generation of Registered Dietitians to be the trusted voice in nutrition.
Jeanne Sandouno Expand dropdown
Jeanne Sandouno, Student Hi! My name is Jeanne Sandouno and I am a junior. My major is Political Science on a Pre - Law Track with a minor in Journalism Kiley Shay Expand dropdown
Kiley Shay, Student Hi, my name is Kiley Shay and I am a senior here at EMU. I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Criminology. I love hanging with friends, trying new restaurants, and watching different movies. Aaron Struminger Expand dropdown
Aaron Struminger, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Health Promotion and Human Performance Aaron Struminger is an Assistant Professor and the Program Director of the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Training Program. Aaron teaches injury evaluation/rehabilitation courses that develop students' basic clinical skills as well as an evidence-based practice course which challenges students to think critically about the medical techniques that they will use throughout their careers. He has developed an interest in recruitment and retention through his curricular development and assessement work in the College of Health and Human services.