Where research meets results
When outreach is done right, it changes everything. See the data, stories, and science behind the impact.
+24%
Re-enrollment among students who had stopped out of college
+24%
Re-enrollment among male students
+12%
Fall re-enrollment among first-year students
+18%
Re-enrollment among STEM Students
+8%
Re-enrollment among students of color
Featured
October 21, 2025
Persistence Plus and Lumina Foundation Explore “Continuous Enrollment”
Persistence Plus and Lumina Foundation are looking at how behavioral science can improve community college retention.
Real Feedback from Real Students
Drivere-enrollment
“One helpful message was that it’s okay to ask for help. It made me feel better knowing there are people and resources who care and want to support students. It reminded me I don’t have to do everything alone.”
Normalize help-seeking
“I've always wondered if this is sometimes a real person. It's very nice to seemingly have someone to constantly check in on you. Truly, thank you! This is an amazing system set up by the college. I graduate this Saturday and I'm so excited.”
Encourage Students to Follow Through
“Texting this like this and staying in touch all semester long has definitely helped me be more successful and focus on my goals.”
Support first-generation students
“Thank you. I found it oddly comforting to have the occasional text from you folks checking in and supporting me with reminders and positive vibes. It helps me feel more a part of the community while taking online courses.”
Increase participation in school-wide initiatives
“I really like knowing that you guys cheer me on even when I’m fully immersed in my work, it gives me a slight break from everything for a bit. I also like that you make little interactive activities through text!! Keep it up.”
Reduce test anxiety and promote study strategies
“The most helpful messages have to be the ones related to remedying procrastination. Sometimes that habit can get extreme, but advice like that really helps reduce my tendency to procrastinate.”
Improve time management
“Last year I was ready to quit, lack of support was not getting these messages. This year with support, I was able to acknowledge my struggles and learn coping skills.”
Empower student parents
“Just having you here, checking on me. It feels like someone is looking out for me and is here if I need help. Thank you.”
Reduce test anxiety and promote study strategies
“Yes, whoever is in charge of it always seems to know the right thing to say.”
Encourage resiliency
"I needed this encouragement today!"
Featured Expert
Ross O'Hara, Ph.D.
Chief Learning Officer
Dr. O'Hara is Chief Learning Officer at Persistence Plus, where he applies his expertise in behavioral science to develop scalable interventions that improve college student retention. He has developed motivational and empathetic messaging for college students for over 11 years, and he currently leads a Lumina Foundation-funded action research project on continuous enrollment in community colleges. Dr. O’Hara earned his Ph.D. in social psychology from Dartmouth College and completed post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Missouri and the University of Connecticut. His research has appeared in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including AERA Open and the Journal of Postsecondary Success, and he has contributed to Behavioral Scientist, the EvoLLLution, and EDUCAUSE Review, among others.
