Retention Committee
Building a Student-Ready University
Meet the Team
The Retention Work Group at Eastern Washington University is led by a dedicated team of professionals committed to improving student success and retention.
- Gina Gendusa – Director, Student Success Collaborative & Degree Completion, Title III Project & Activity
- Jossie Brown – Assistant Director, Degree Completion
- Brock Sieb – Director, Student Accommodations and Support Services
- Sonora Hernandez – Assistant Director of Residential Life
- Annarose Sanchez Qualls – Coordinator, JLR Multicultural Center
Each team member plays a vital role in analyzing student success data, developing strategic retention initiatives, and fostering a student-ready campus at EWU.
Our Mission
The Retention Work Group at Eastern Washington University is dedicated to fostering student success by identifying barriers, implementing data-driven strategies, and creating a more student-ready campus. Our primary goal is to improve first-to-second-year retention rates while closing equity gaps for historically marginalized students.
What We Are Doing
- Data-Driven Retention Efforts – Identifying trends in student attrition, supporting high-fail courses, and strengthening early alerts.
- Faculty Engagement – Expanding faculty training, increasing participation in early alerts, and fostering mentorship opportunities.
- Enhanced Student Support Services – Providing proactive advising, improving communication across departments, and expanding peer mentorship.
- Seamless Pathways from K-12 & Community Colleges – Strengthening transfer partnerships, improving accessibility, and increasing outreach for first-gen students.
- Removing Institutional Barriers – Streamlining policies, simplifying financial aid processes, and ensuring a smoother student experience.
- High-Impact Strategies – Scaling effective programs, reducing redundancies, and enhancing cross-department collaboration.
- Continuous Improvement – Tracking progress through a Retention Dashboard, gathering student feedback, and refining strategies to meet evolving needs.
Moving Forward
Through collaboration and innovation, we are building a stronger, more inclusive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Together, we are shaping the future of student success at EWU.
