Cardinal First Outcomes

At North Central College, we track progress toward the goal of earning a college degree. Since the Cardinal First program officially launched in Fall 2015, the average first-to-second year retention rate for first-generation students is 91%; this is much higher than the national average and much higher than first-generation students who do not participate in Cardinal First. Shared below are additional findings from an internal review of the Cardinal First and the program’s impact.

Retention

We measure retention by evaluating how many students remain enrolled at North Central from their first year to their second year. Shared below are the average first-to-second year retention rates:

• 91%—all first-gen students who completed the Cardinal First workshop series
• 61%—all first-gen students who did not participate in Cardinal First
• 89%—first-gen Latino students who completed the Cardinal First workshop series
• 57%—first-gen Latino students who did not participate in Cardinal First
• 78%—North Central’s overall retention rate

Persistence

Persistence is measuring by evaluation how many students remained enrolled from their first year through their third year at North Central. Shared below are the average first-to-third year persistence rates:

• 84%—all first-gen who completed the Cardinal First workshop series
• 48%—all first-gen students who did not participate in Cardinal First
• 82%—first-gen Latino students who completed the Cardinal First workshop series
• 46%—first-gen Latino students who did not participate in Cardinal First
• 71%—North Central’s overall persistence rate

Graduation

Graduation rates for Fall 2015-Fall 2018 cohorts:

• 80%—all first-gen who completed the Cardinal First workshop series
• 46%—all first-gen students who did not participate in Cardinal First

Sense of Belonging

An internal review of Cardinal First found the program successfully:

• Helps students navigate unfamiliar structures of the institution, particularly during the initial transition to college.
• Connect students to first-gen peers and faculty on campus thus promoting a sense of community.
• Provides a sense of mattering for students; participants felt recognized (by name), cared about, and supported by the staff and student leaders.
• Promotes pride in first-gen status and clear recognition that they are not alone.

Dissertation research conducted in 2022 with 541 first-generation students at 34    private institutions, including 20 North Central students resulted in these findings specific to Cardinal First participants:

• 85% have developed a sense of community with other first-gen college students
• 85% indicated having a community of support for first-gen students at North Central was important to them
• 95% agree or strongly agree that Cardinal First helped support their persistence to earn a 4-year college degree 

In summary, researcher reported North Central is exceeding the national average in terms of first-generation program and community support for its students when compared to like-minded, private peer institutions.