Historically Black Mississippi Valley State University has announced the establishment of the Sophomore Year Experience program. The aim of the initiative is increase retention rates and focuses on a group that is often neglected in such efforts.
Renaldo Hall, dean of University College at the university, stated that “we tend to spend more time focusing on freshman and seniors. According to research, sophomores are often the forgotten class.” But Hall adds that “ensuring students’ academic success in the second year of college is important because this is the time when students lose sight of the direction of their career path and when they typically declare a major.”
The new initiative includes the assignment of mentors as “success coaches” for all second-year students. Workshops are held every two weeks and sophomores are given leadership training, community service opportunities, and academic support.
