Predictive analytics continue to have an increased focus on the tools we purchase and the initiatives we support. More and more frequently, stakeholders at many levels of the organization want to know the return on investment in initiatives, which students are at risk of stopping out or otherwise failing to finish, and whether outcomes are equivalent across different demographics of students. The focus of many of these models is on academic data about student performance or student demographic characteristics. While these elements are important, research suggests that co-curricular activities outside the classroom may have a more lasting effect on students. Along with improving retention and academic success, co-curricular activities have been shown to enhance career readiness and development. Adding these data to predictive models thus provides a more well-balanced view of the student experience and can provide insight into which activities are most impactful.

This lecture will walk attendees through the process of developing a useful predictive model and provide a summary of the results of a machine learning model that includes academic, demographic, and co-curricular elements about students. Presenters will provide the pros and cons of using such data, a case study review of how results were used to impact campus initiatives, the impacts of these initiatives on student success metrics, and suggestions for future adjustments to the model.

Learning Outcomes 

1. Participants will identify a variety of co-curricular practices that have a positive impact on student success metrics.

2. Participants will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of using co-curricular data in predictive models.

NASPA has been approved by the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification to provide CE credit for Certified Student Affairs Educators (CSAEd). NASPA is solely responsible for all aspects of this program. Participants who complete the course will be eligible for Continuing Education (CE) credits in the Core Student Affairs Educator Certification (CSAEd).

Guidelines for earning CE credit:
1 CE is awarded for attending this live session OR on-demand for ONE category of Continuing Education. You can not receive more than 1 credit hour total.

No partial credit will be rewarded.

To receive CSAEd credit, attendees must complete the Feedback Survey in the online event offering the credit. Once the survey is completed, your Certificate will be available in the event modules for you to download at your convenience.