Creating Dynamic Practices: NJCU’s Programs for Student Success

This paper will provide an overview of New Jersey City University’s (NJCU) retention initiative programs for low-income, firstyear minority students. The programs provide students with advising, peer-mentoring, college transition workshops, outreach campaigns targeting at-risk student groups, and financial assistance. NJCU’s intrusive advising, serves as a catalyst for connecting students to resources on campus. This paper provides information on the implementation of successful programs and newer programs of promise, such as the Orientation to College and Peer Advisor Liaisons programs. NJCU’s ASCEND Summer Bridge Program, which was developed to assist students who were at a disadvantage academically in entering a four-year college and provides academic preparation, holistic support, advisement, mentoring, orientation to college for first time, full-time freshmen support, and campus engagement. The work conducted at NJCU successfully provides for the needs of students now and in the future.