This project responds to increasing efforts in higher education to retain students, i.e., keep them enrolled until graduation, through various initiatives. Building upon the arguments of composition scholars Matthew McCurrie (2009), Sara Webb-Sunderhaus (2010), and Pegeen Reichert Powell (2013), who propose that retention efforts can overlook students’ needs, goals, and lived experiences, this study evaluates whether retention initiatives communicate a definition of success that ignores and/or aligns with how students value success. This project draws on an historical overview of US success ideology to contextualize a case study of Georgia State University, a leading institution in the country for raising its retention rates. Georgia State’s Strategic Plan and celebrated retention initiatives are then analyzed to determine how the institution defines success; that analysis is compared with data gathered from focus groups and interviews. Ultimately, this study suggests that the definition of success is not necessarily where students and universities diverge; rather, the data gathered has revealed that far more conflicting are the ideas students and universities possess for how to achieve success. This project argues that while historically success has been valued as the achievement of social and financial upward mobility, Georgia State’s framing of student success communicates, more narrowly, the value of efficient mobility. From the analysis of students’ perspectives, a framework is provided to show how a focus on efficiency provokes a shift in methods for how universities support students’ pursuit of success, a shift from what this author terms facilitative methods to methods that can be more dictative of students’ college experiences. This framework is used to argue that dictative methods of support risk removing agency from and present new challenges for students whose lifestyles and responsibilities conflict with their universities’ preferred path towards graduation; often these students are commuters, non-traditional and/or are students from low-income households. This dissertation concludes by providing a model for writing program administrators to consider how they can work toward promoting more facilitative, and thus more inclusive, retention practices.

Les mortiers projetés sont formulés de manière très complexe, afin de notamment répondre aux exigences imposées par leur procédé de mise en place. La caractérisation et l’interprétation des leurs propriétés rhéologiques représentent ainsi un grand challenge, faisant appel à diverses thématiques de la matière molle : suspensions granulaires, dispersions colloïdales, solutions de polymère, mousses, etc. Nous considérons l’influence de divers paramètres de formulation, toutefois, le cœur de cette étude concerne l’influence des épaississants organiques, en particulier les éthers de cellulose (EC). Ces polysaccharides sont utilisés dans la pratique principalement pour leurs propriétés de rétention d’eau, mais ils ont également un fort impact sur la rhéologie. Nos résultats montrent que les EC augmentent considérablement la consistance du mortier, mais leur influence sur le seuil d’écoulement est plus complexe : celui-ci augmente pour les faibles dosages puis diminue jusqu’à s’annuler pour des dosages élevés. L’impact de l’EC sur la rhéologie du mortier a été relié à son influence sur les propriétés de la solution aqueuse interstitielle, en invoquant notamment ses aspects associatifs. La rhéologie est influencée par des facteurs externes (température, ajout de tensioactif) ainsi par la structure chimique du polymère. Avec la rhéologie oscillatoire, nous avons analysé l’impact de certains types d’épaississants sur l’organisation microstructurale du mortier. Nous avons établi une corrélation nette entre propriétés viscoélastiques et rétention d’eau. Plus l’épaississant augmente, plus les aspects dissipatifs augmentent et plus la rétention d’eau s’améliore. / Machinery rendering mortars are characterized by a highly complex mix-design, due to several requirements related to their placement process that need to be fulfilled. It is therefore a challenge to characterize their rheological properties. Indeed they display most of the features encountered in the field of soft matter. We consider the influence of several mix-design parameters on most of the fresh state properties of the mortars. However the main focus is the impact of organic thickening admixtures, in particular cellulose ethers (CE), on the rheological behavior. These admixtures are used for their water retention capacity, yet they have also a high impact on the rheological properties. CEs significantly increase the consistency, while their effect on the yield stress is more complex: when increasing CE dosage rate the yield stress first increases, and then decreases beyond a critical dosage rates. The impact of CE on the mortar rheological behavior is discussed in relationship to its effect on the properties of the interstitial aqueous solution. The associative feature of the CE polymer is particular referred to explain our results. Several parameters that may affect this property are considered. Small amplitude oscillatory shear rheology is used to probe mechanically the influence of CEs on the microstructure of the mortar. By comparing the effect of different thickening admixtures on the viscoelastic properties of the mortars a clear correlation between these properties and water retention is established. The more the admixture introduces viscous dissipation as compared to elasticity into the system, the more it increases its water retention capacity.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / This thesis delineates factors affecting the retention decisions of female Surface Warfare Officers. The data were obtained from in-depth interviews conducted with 12 female senior officers and 15 female junior officers. The transcripts from the interviews revealed 19 general themes. Based on the research, the data regarding the decisions that female officers make to either stay in the Navy or leave leads to four broad categories: economic factors, Navy taste factors., leadership factors, and family issues. The most common negative factors influencing female junior officers to leave the Navy are quality of life issues, lack of confidence in senior leadership, and family concerns. The main reasons the female senior officers stayed in the Navy were job satisfaction, their love for being out at sea and ship driving, and their commitment to taking advantage of the opportunities offered to them and forging a path for the women who followed. This thesis concludes with recommendations for further research and policy changes to assist personnel officials in understanding the retention decisions of female Surface Warfare Officers and potentially increasing the retention rate of the female officers. / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Master of Science / Department of Counseling and Student Development / Doris Wright Carroll / Living-learning communities in higher education play a critical role in the success of our student population. Having the option of living-learning communities on campus is a sought after option for students and parents of students beginning college. For student retention efforts, it is important that our student affairs professionals understand the impact that living-learning communities have on the first-year student population. It is additionally important that professionals understand the different types of living-learning communities and determine which is best to implement on their campus. This report takes a deeper look into living-learning communities across the country and the impacts on living-learning communities have on campus. Taking into consideration the diversity of varying living-learning communities, three specific types were examined and their success was determined based on a national study called The National Study of Living-Learning Programs (2007). This report communicates the depth and necessity of living-learning communities in higher education for students, parents, and student affairs professionals.

Master of Science - Agricultural Education and Communication / Department of Communications and Agricultural Education / Shannon Washburn / Agriculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Universities have the opportunity to meet the growing demand for more agricultural graduates. To better understand how to facilitate students in degree completion at Kansas State University, this study looked at the aspirations of freshmen and the expectations of seniors within the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University. The sample included 517 freshmen and 196 seniors, for a total of 713 students who completed the questionnaire. Both freshmen and seniors indicated positivity toward future career goals. Additionally, both groups indicated having participated or the desire to participate in a student organization within the College of Agriculture, and to complete an internship relevant to their major. Intrinsic values, such as relevance to their interests and personal values, were influential in choice of degree for both freshmen and seniors. Both groups responded very positively about future job opportunities and preparedness for the career force. Freshmen and Seniors were relatively consistent in their predication of salary one year and five years after graduation, however freshmen had higher expectations 10 years post-graduation. Forty-two percent (n = 210) of freshmen indicated that they had thought about changing majors, while 29.2% (n = 56) of seniors had responded that they had changed majors during their academic career. Both groups indicated that they had a positive college experience at Kansas State University. According to this research, Kansas State University students need more information about job opportunities and salary expectations. Additionally, more information regarding majors will help students choose a major most connected to their personal interests.

M.B.A. / This paper investigates the causes and impact of mobility among senior managers and professionals within the South African public sector and is intended to contribute to debate on the theoretical and operational merits of understanding turnover by offering a best practise retention model as an approach to analysing and managing turnover. This investigation takes place within the context of a relatively young democracy that presents unique opportunities and challenges for a public sector guided by the strategic objective of optimum service delivery. This strategic imperative requires the recruitment and retention of skills at senior levels in order to ensure the efficacy of government and is exacerbated by limited resources in relation to what is on offer within the private sector. As such, this investigation into the causes and effects of mobility among senior managers and professionals also aims to establish the extent of mobility on these levels as well as offer strategies that will assist in the retention of these categories. The investigation explores the conceptual framework and theoretical contribution of current debate on retention, as well as offering thoughts on logistical and operational issues.

College student persistence has been the central focus of higher education for decades. Specifically, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have directed their attention to increasing the retention and graduation rates of African American college students. Postsecondary institutions face greater challenges with college student persistence after a major crisis. This study explored college student persistence at a historically Black university ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Given the devastation caused by the storm, this study examined college students' decisions for continuing their educational pursuits at the historically Black university which is a temporary trailer campus created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The temporary campus has 45 trailers designated for classrooms, science labs, a library, a dining facility, and office space for faculty and staff. Students enrolled for the 2007 Spring Semester (N= 301) were asked to complete the Decisions to Resume Educational Pursuits (DREP) instrument that was designed specifically for this study. Predictor variables including, sex, residence status, Pell Grant status, campus housing status, college grade point average, attendance before Hurricane Katrina, and having parents or another close relative attend SUNO were used to predict educational aspirations, campus environment, and financial aid eligibility status as the reason college students continued their education after Hurricane Katrina. The ANOVA for the regression of educational aspirations revealed that the model predicted an overall significant F (7,241) = 4.824, p < .01 and 10% of the variance in educational aspirations was explained by the model. No significant relationship was found with campus environment. As was the case with educational aspirations, the ANOVA for the regression of financial aid eligibility status revealed that the model predicted an overall significant F (7,241) = 4.309, p < .01 and 9% of the variance in financial aid eligibility was explained by the model. A multiple regression model resulted in a statistically significant relationship for attending SUNO before Hurricane Katrina and educational aspirations. Also, results from multiple regression resulted in a statistically significant relationship for sex and financial aid eligibility, along with a relationship for Pell Grant status and financial aid eligibility status.

M.Com. (Business Management) / Talent commitment, efficiency and retention issues are emerging as the most important corporate challenges of the present and immediate future, driven by talent loyalty concerns, corporate reorganization efforts and stiff competition for key talent. For most organizations, “surprise” talent departures can be devastating on the execution of business strategy and the achievement of business goals and objectives. This phenomenon is most prevalent now in light of current economic uncertainty and following corporate downsizings when the risk of losing critical talent increases exponentially. Talent retention is one of the greatest challenges confronting many business organizations today. For most organizations talent recruitment and retention is a major concern as the ability to keep talent is crucial for the organization’s performance and future survival. It is recognized that talent turnover, is a critical challenge to most organizations that cost money, effort and energy. This challenge poses major problems to HR professionals in their efforts to formulate talent retention policies. South Africa has for the past few decades seen an influx of foreign investment, ideas and practices, facilitated by the development of the Internet and associated technologies. As with many organizations worldwide including organizations in South Africa, staff retention problems affect organizational productivity and performance. The global war for talent has increased the challenge to most organizations in attempting to address the issue of talent retention in the context of increasing competition in the global marketplace. It is against this background that this research will look into talent retention problems within the socio‐economic context of South Africa and in particular factors impacting on talent retention at Alexander Forbes as an organization. This study brings into focus the extent to which factors impacting on talent retention such as pay and compensation, career development, leadership, working environment and organizational commitment as discussed in the literature review impacts talent retention within Alexander Forbes.

The main focus of the thesis is the reconstruction of 3D models and digital elevation models of five abandoned splash dams in Roklanský brook catchment using UAV photogrammetry methods. The aim of this work is to compare accuracy of the models with available conventional data sources and historical sources. Parallel topic is the research of accuracy of the models created through UAV methods and application of retention potential of small water reservoirs, in headwater areas. The images were taken with a drone-mounted camera. Modelling was done by processing images in software Agisoft PhotoScan through a workflow process, dense point cloud classification and subsequent DEM interpolation. Subsequent delineation of reservoirs retention space, altimetry correction and bathymetric analysis was performed in ArcMap over the interpolated DEM. The results and discussion point to the benefits and limitations of UAV methods, especially to altimetric accuracy of the resulting models relative to conventional DMR5G data and bathymetric characteristics derived from the models. Keywords: UAV; DEM; retention; GIS; model; pond

Immersive virtual reality (VR) technology has brought many new opportunities for training researchers and students. In the traditional training environment, trainees usually follow verbal instructions (lecture) or visual instructions (video tutorial, job manual) as certain training methods. For this research study, we not only tested how much procedural knowledge the trainees could learn from the VR training compared with traditional media training (video plus instruction manual), we also specifically focused on how well the knowledge could retain in a certain amount of time. The finding of this study shows that VR training can help trainees learn procedural knowledge, and also shows that VR training can help enhance procedural knowledge retention in terms of recall error. However, we did not find any significant difference in recall time between VR training group and traditional media training group.