Early Alert & Retention Strategy | Montgomery College, Maryland

Montgomery College is building a coordinated approach to identifying student needs, connecting students with support, and promoting persistence throughout the student lifecycle.

Rather than relying on a single intervention point, the College is creating multiple opportunities to engage students, understand their needs, and provide support from onboarding through completion. This approach combines student questionnaires, academic planning, progress surveys, referrals, and coordinated support practices.

Early Alert & Retention at a Glance

Identify needs early.
Connect students with support.
Promote engagement and persistence.
Strengthen coordination across services.
Continuously improve through feedback and assessment.

Our Approach

Support begins before classes start through onboarding activities, readiness indicators, and opportunities for students to connect with advising and support resources. Current efforts include the Welcome Questionnaire and initiatives designed to better understand student needs early in the student experience.

Faculty feedback, progress surveys, referrals, and other early indicators help identify opportunities for outreach and support while there is still time to make meaningful adjustments.

Academic performance, academic standing, and planning conversations provide additional opportunities to connect students with resources and support needed to stay on track.

Persistence, registration, academic recovery planning, and completion support help students maintain momentum toward their educational goals.

Want to see how we're measuring progress?

Explore metrics related to student engagement, academic planning, early alerts, referrals, appointments, and coordinated care activities.

View Results & Impact