Niagara University Administrators Present at National Symposium on Student Retention

Antonia Knight, dean of academic services at Niagara University, and Kathryn Marzec, associate dean, were featured presenters at the National Symposium on Student Retention, Oct. 20-23, 2025, in Reno, Nevada. Their discussion, "Data-Driven Progression: The Power of Recovery Courses for Freshmen and Sophomore Students," detailed the university's self-funded retention initiative, which yielded improved retention rates and timely progression toward graduation.

During their discussion, the two administrators explained how their strategic, innovative, and data-driven approach to assist students who had fallen below 15 credit hours per semester led to the launch of a summer recovery course program. This program was initially offered to freshmen who needed additional credit hours in order to continue their academic progression toward graduation, and later expanded to sophomores.

"Recovery courses are a proactive way to engage students and create a culture of awareness around student progression," said Knight. "Offering discounted general education courses for freshman and sophomore students allows them to earn credit to create momentum. Coupled with early intervention, advisement, and the removal of barriers to earning credit, this initiative sets students up for early success, which typically yields greater results to the finish line."

The workshop attendants were particularly interested in the transferability of the initiative to other institutions and the necessary implementation metrics, added Marzec.

"Colleagues at this conference were seeking innovative strategies to positively impact persistence and retention, and this session was well-received," she said.