The Effect of Clarion <i>Transitions</i> on Student Academic Performance and Retention

Abstract

Developed in 1999 by teams of faculty, staff, and students, Clarion Transitions is a multi-year student success program designed to increase student retention at a public university in western Pennsylvania. Clarion Transitions: Exploration is a credit-bearing, peer/faculty-facilitated co-curricular that engages freshmen in activities designed to encourage high levels of academic performance, campus knowledge, and social integration, thus encouraging higher levels of retention to the second semester and second year of college. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Exploration co-curricular on first-year students' academic performance and retention. Results indicate that, compared to students who do not complete the Exploration program, completers of the Exploration program earn higher semester GPAs, are more likely to attempt and earn more credit hours, are less likely to be placed on probation or suspension, and are more likely to return for their second semester and their second year.