Southern Connecticut State University builds a transformative, student-centered educational culture
Company Size
1,000+
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- IBM Watson Analytics
Tech Stack
- Cognitive Analytics
- Cloud Services
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Customer Satisfaction
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
- Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics
Applicable Industries
- Education
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Human Resources
Use Cases
- Predictive Quality Analytics
- Real-Time Location System (RTLS)
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- Data Science Services
About The Customer
Founded in 1893, Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) offers 114 graduate and undergraduate programs to a student body of approximately 11,000 people. More than 700 faculty and staff members lead students through a wide range of studies and research specialties. Universities in the United States are competing harder than ever to attract and retain students. For Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), the aim was to become and remain its students’ first choice. SCSU had previously run studies investigating student retention and graduation trends over time, but these tended to focus on a very limited profile of each student. The university suspected that it was missing out on crucial information.
The Challenge
Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) was facing a challenge in attracting and retaining students. The university had previously run studies investigating student retention and graduation trends over time, but these studies focused on a very limited profile of each student. SCSU suspected that it was missing out on crucial information. The university wanted to challenge the established wisdom and look at the bigger picture when it came to understanding why students were not performing to their full potential. It also wanted to evaluate the different ways it can support students who are not thriving either academically or developmentally, and identify the intervention activities that actually work.
The Solution
SCSU set out to shift its focus: away from aspects that students cannot alter, such as ethnicity, gender and parental income; and towards factors that are amenable to change. The university set up a new first-year experience program that was intended to promote student engagement, improve students’ academic performance and boost retention rates. The study took into account students’ demographic characteristics, the results of two surveys administered during orientation, responses to a first year experience self-assessment administered during the first semester, and academic progress. The team resolved to scale up the program to the rest of SCSU’s student body, and created a longitudinal cohort study that would follow students throughout their time at the university. It found the answer in IBM Watson™ Analytics, a cognitive data discovery service available on the cloud.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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