The Lincoln University Board of Curators is right to call on the school's administration to address the school's considerable at-risk student population.
LU has an average of 100-150 students on academic probation each fall, as we recently reported. That puts Lincoln at risk of continuing its sliding enrollment. But even more importantly, it puts those students at risk of leaving the university without a degree. That limits their knowledge and their career potential.
Curators discussed the issue and the available programs to support students.
At-risk students are those who have a GPA of less than 2.0, which puts financial aid and many students' ability to afford Lincoln in jeopardy, said Zakiya Brown, dean of student success, in our recent story.
Lincoln University is an open admissions institution, meaning there are no strict academic requirements or minimum GPA or ACT test scores to get in.
Because of that, it serves a population with many who aren't fully prepared for college. They may not have anticipated going to college and some might be the first in their families to pursue higher education.
Benne said Lincoln uses three methods for identifying at-risk students: faculty reporting missing or unsatisfactory assignments; irregular class attendance; and students using tutoring or supplemental course instruction.
LU has a structure in place to help struggling students by identifying them, monitoring them and tutoring them. But it's not aggressive enough. If intervention isn't quick, it's often too late.
They need advisors who are in constant contact with them, making sure they don't have barriers to succeed.
Lincoln can examine all the data it wants and can put any structure in place it wants. But one thing is needed that goes beyond the planning and analytics: the human touch. These students need mentors who truly care about them. Mentors who will guide them and cheer them on. Mentors who will let them know they are important and that their college careers are important to ensure they have happy and successful careers.
That takes a lot of resources and a lot of caring people, but that's what many of these at-risk students need to succeed.
News Tribune