December 11, 2024 | 2 minute read
The Importance of Degree Works in Enhancing Graduation Rates
By Nicole Parker, Consultant, David Kent Consulting
The Importance of Enhancing Student Outcomes
Improving student outcomes, including retention and graduation rates, is a critical focus for higher education institutions. Tools such as Degree Works play an essential role in supporting this goal. Recent data from the Chronicle of Higher Education reveals that fewer than half of college students graduate on time, with over a million dropping out annually. These statistics highlight the urgency of providing students with clear academic pathways and reliable advising resources to help them stay on track.
How Degree Works Supports Student Success
Degree Works, effectively leveraged, offers students a transparent, real-time roadmap to graduation. Features, such as “What-If” scenarios, empower students to explore how changes in their major or course selections impact their graduation timeline. This functionality allows students to make informed, proactive decisions about their academic journeys.
The Critical Role of Accurate Scribing
However, the effectiveness of Degree Works depends heavily on the accuracy of degree program scribing. Transparent and accurate scribing ensures that both students and advisors can trust the system, reducing errors and confusion while helping institutions identify and assist at-risk students earlier. Coupled with robust advising infrastructures, tools like Degree Works can directly address barriers to graduation, ultimately improving retention and completion rates.
Enhancing Degree Works with Expert Support
Institutions that invest in Degree Works and leverage expert consulting services, such as David Kent Consulting, see even greater success. Our consulting services specialize in optimizing Degree Works implementations, aligning scribe rules with institutional policies, increasing transparency, and providing tailored staff training. This ensures a seamless, consistent advising experience for all students while maintaining system reliability and efficiency.
Conclusion
Higher education stands at a pivotal moment, where solutions like Degree Works are vital in ensuring no student is left behind. By adopting these tools and pairing them with expert guidance, colleges and universities can significantly improve graduation rates and overall student success.
Contact David Kent Consulting today to learn how your institution can maximize the impact of Degree Works and help your students achieve their academic goals.
