The Future of Orientation, Transition, and Retention from the OTR KC

Early this year we engaged the OTR Knowledge Community to assess needs, aspirations and expectations of this space and the data led us to three key areas of focus for the 2026-2027 year. This survey was conducted in Spring 2026 to gather insights and trends from the community to guide future efforts and engagements. We are pleased to share the following themes as areas of focus moving forward.

Holistic Student Success. This lends to more of a more comprehensive view of student success. This is encompassing of onboarding, transitions, outreach and programs that support the healthy transition of learners as they matriculate. This aligns with the growing narrative that areas like first-year experience and student retention and their success are not isolated to the success of an insular program such as a peer mentoring program or an orientation program; rather, a “constellation” of supports, services, and initiatives that collectively supports the success of first-year students (Johnson, 2025).

Data as Strategy. Respondents shared that interconnectedness of data points to inform strategic priorities is a primary focus as institution gauge effort and return on investment toward the student experience. Leveraging data from admissions engagement to course and cocurricular metrics supports institutional goals of retention and persistence. This aligns with many institutions who have thought of even broader implementation of and investment in strategic plans that encompass OTR related programs.

Voices from Diverse Institutions. A common thread within the qualitative findings is that there is a need to hear about the great work and best practices from various institution types and sizes and in colleges like two-year and community colleges, HBCUs and HSIs.

Some of our goals as a leadership team include providing spaces where the best practices and narratives across diverse institutions can be shared and mirror the distribution of colleges and universities represented so that peers can learn and be validated in their work as the landscape continues to grow.

Whether you are managing orientation leaders, engaging in recruitment of the next student or curious about the pathways and possibilities of retention and persistence the OTR KC is the place for you. As a collective we seek to empower and affirm each other in the rewarding and challenging work of providing student affairs and student success professionals with continued growth through meaningful communication, recognition, and engagements.

 

Readings to Check Out

The community recommends that OTR KC members and student success colleagues check out the 2023 National Survey on the First-Year Experience: Contemporary Strategies to Support Student Success as it outlines the national trends and data that informs many of the practices that institutions

 

About the Authors:

The authors of this contribution are the 2026-2027 OTR KC Leadership Team: Dr. Ray Grant, Sloane Hanley, Derek Nettingham, Dr. Jane Pizutto, and Dr. James K. Winfield

 

Resources:

Johnson, J.D. (Ed.).(2025). 2023 National survey on the first-year experience: Contemporary strategies to support student success. Volume 1: Introduction and Background. National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition,University of South Carolina. https://doi.org/10.65005/KLWT8481