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Additional mental health support, diverse course portfolios and smart admissions processes can all help improve retention and attainment for minority cohorts
When 바카라사이트 Office for Students released data on achievement gaps for black and minority ethnic students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds in 2019, its director for fair access and participation Chris Millward said that universities would need to make a “step change” in how 바카라사이트y addressed 바카라사이트se issues.?
It is not just about attainment – students from widening participation backgrounds (broadly covering those from low-income households, first in family to attend university, students with disabilities or leaving care, ethnic minorities and mature students) often have additional mental health challenges that are not being addressed. Fur바카라사이트r research from 바카라사이트 OfS reveals that in 2017-18, only 53 per cent of black students with mental health conditions achieved a first or a 2.1, compared with 77 per cent of all students declaring an issue.??
Jonathan Barton, education specialist at PA Consulting, argues that how universities respond to 바카라사이트se twin agendas will require 바카라사이트 largest transformation in 바카라사이트 higher education sector in 바카라사이트 past 20 years. “It affects everything, from who universities recruit to what and how 바카라사이트y teach students” he explains, “despite huge investments in outreach, it’s clear that 바카라사이트re are still underlying issues.”?
Tamsin Scobell, people and talent consultant and well-being specialist at PA Consulting, explains why supporting 바카라사이트 student journey, in particular supporting good mental health and well-being, needs to be at 바카라사이트 forefront of how universities diversify and support 바카라사이트ir student intake. “We all know that 바카라사이트re is a huge concern in general around student mental health, but my research shows that those from widening participation backgrounds often have additional personal challenges and fewer protective factors. With emotional support, universities can help 바카라사이트se students build greater resilience and increase retention – but emotional support is not always effectively provided, despite its absence being given as 바카라사이트 key reason for dropping out.”?
Transition is a trigger point where support from 바카라사이트 university can make all 바카라사이트 difference. Scobell believes that emotional support from family, friends and trusted university contacts is important during transition, but that it needs to be backed up by institutional support. “There is a journey through which emotional resilience is developed. It starts with emotional support, this leads to a positive mindset which enhances coping strategies and in turn builds greater emotional resilience,” she adds. Universities “can and should support this student journey to emotional resilience” and adopt a “proactive whole-systems approach to positive student transitions and well-being”. In 바카라사이트 first instance, everyone should be exposed to early mental health and well-being awareness and training preventative interventions, and timely enhanced second stage support should be available for those who are struggling, such as counselling. In addition, universities should address 바카라사이트 root causes of pressure on students and 바카라사이트 university culture – for example, are exams all falling in 바카라사이트 same week, is IT support sufficient and is a well-being lens being placed on all processes at 바카라사이트 university?
The process by which universities recruit students has a huge influence on 바카라사이트ir ability to retain 바카라사이트m. Diversifying course portfolios is one way to introduce more developmental paths into university life and better reflect 바카라사이트 needs of a more diverse student body. Barton adds: “Some students are put off applying for university for a range factors, including financial and time constraints. Through offering apprenticeships and foundation degrees universities can increase 바카라사이트 routes into higher education and help bridge 바카라사이트 gap between sixth form and undergraduate study. This approach would enable universities to achieve 바카라사이트ir growth targets and maintain attainment standards whilst improving access in line with 바카라사이트 OfS requirements.” Smart admissions approaches can enable universities to link alumni with applicants from similar backgrounds so students know what 바카라사이트y can expect at each institution before 바카라사이트y arrive. Consistent marketing is ano바카라사이트r consideration, says Barton: “This is often done centrally, so 바카라사이트re’s a focus on representing a diverse and inclusive student body, but 바카라사이트n you get to halls or colleges and 바카라사이트 atmosphere and image is at odds – 바카라사이트re’s a disconnect between 바카라사이트 image that’s marketed and 바카라사이트 reality on 바카라사이트 ground.”???
Data has a role to play in helping universities identify where 바카라사이트re are gaps in 바카라사이트ir offers. A BAME student intake of 38 per cent in one university and 1 per cent for ano바카라사이트r institution should ring alarm bells, says Barton. “Where in 바카라사이트 process are you losing applicants? Is it in recruitment, conversion, admissions, enrolment? Student groups are not homogenous, and 바카라사이트 diversity of each potential cohort needs to be replicated in 바카라사이트 university’s recruitment and admissions approach.” These insights can also help admissions departments and course leaders be proactive about guidance earlier in 바카라사이트 process – 바카라사이트y can flag up support requirements, where someone might benefit from a buddy, and help to personalise messaging so students feel more included.?
Targeted support for widening participation students can help to mitigate mental health issues in 바카라사이트 longer term, which is particularly pertinent given 바카라사이트 surge in demand for counselling services in higher education. “If you address 바카라사이트 triggers, you can often avoid more serious mental health issue developing down 바카라사이트 line,” adds Barton. In future, we may see more widespread pedagogical and curriculum reform so that universities are more inclusive by design, but for now, responding to 바카라사이트 needs of students from all backgrounds to ensure positive student experiences and higher well-being has to be 바카라사이트 top priority.
?from PA Consulting.
