“Retention” rarely appears on those lists of higher ed jargon to avoid. While college students can identify countless unwelcoming phrases and acronyms, employees in higher education have no trouble agreeing on retention’s definition: keeping enrolled students enrolled. But when university leaders call retention the responsibility of every faculty and staff member, confusion may follow. When those same university leaders prioritize retention efforts, both strategy and culture have to shift and align with the goal of helping students succeed.
How Leaders Shape, Signal, and Build Cultures: A Discussion Guide for Academic Leaders and Their Teams
Among the many desired traits most prized in academic leadership, the ability to shape (or reshape) institutional culture is sometimes overlooked in favor of fiscal acumen, the ability to drive
Lisa Jasinski
May 4, 2026
