Date

4-2026

ESRP 9000 Professor

Lucas DeWitt, Ed.D.

ESRP 9001 Professor

Lucas DeWitt, Ed.D.

Executive Summary

Engaging Students, Empowering Futures: A Strategic Mentorship Initiative. Javier Moraga-Trujillo, 2026: Strategic Research Project, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: alumni engagement, enrollment cliff, experiential learning, student engagement, sense of belonging, retention rate

This strategic research project was designed to provide an action plan to address one of Oceanside University's key weaknesses: low student engagement. The key weakness was identified after conducting a strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats analysis of Oceanside University. This is based on insight from working and being a student at the university for nearly 5 years. After reviewing various potential solutions, it was decided that mentorship was the best approach to address the low student engagement. A mentorship program was designed to improve student engagement numbers. The selected strategy focused on gaining buy-in from students and faculty to participate by incentivizing participation in the mentorship program.

A full action plan was created to make implementation seamless and easy to follow. Existing roles were used when assigning tasks. Participation was incentivized by making participation in the mentorship program a factor when considering a faculty member for tenure. Students were incentivized by either having mentorship required to remain in a special program or having participation tied to a scholarship. Data will be collected to ensure the program improves student engagement and to allow the program to prove itself to leadership and donors. For this reason, retention rates and graduation rates will also be tracked. Addressing the low student engagement at Oceanside University will prove pivotal in a time when less high school students are graduating and many higher education institutions are experiencing difficulties enrolling students.

Document Type

Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education

Concentration

Higher Education Leadership

Language

English

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