Mark Wagner (Binienda Center for Civic Engagement) presented at the Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Meeting in Indianapolis, held in June and organized by ADP, TDC, and NASPA. His presentation, OG CLEWS: 4 Years On, reviewed research on the Community Leadership Experience, a Living Learning Project developed with Adrian Gage (Residence Life and Housing).
Based in part on Care Theory (Nel Noddings), each year 20 students are invited to participate in the program designed around leadership and community engagement as a way to retain our middle-tier students. This year, Worcester State University graduated its first (OG) CLEWS cohort. The results are as follows:
OG CLEWS
Retained: 80%
Graduated Early: 3 (15%)
4-Year Graduation Rate: 65%
4½-year Graduation Rate (anticipated): 75%
Dean’s List: 9
Average GPA: 2.8
Leadership Roles: 8 (40%)
Judicial Findings: 8
OG Control
Retained: 70%
Graduated Early: 0
4-Year Graduation Rate: 35%
Dean’s List: 12
Average GPA: 3.2
Leadership Roles: N/A
Judicial Findings: 9