Section 1: What do we know about retention and persistence to degree? -- Defining, refining perspectives on student success -- Overview of theoretical perspectives on student success -- Section 2: the case for intensified campus efforts -- The demographic challenge -- Public and private benefits of college -- Retention of recruitment: examining the return on investment -- Section 3: core components of student success -- Institutional culture and student engagement -- Academic preparation -- Psychosocial characteristics -- Career development -- Assessing the impact of academic, psychosocial, and career development factors on college student success -- Section 4: proven student success practices -- Historical perspective on what works in student retention -- Assessment and course placement -- Development education initiatives -- Academic advising -- First - year transition programs -- Section 5: Making student success a priority -- Expanding the retention framework: implications for public and institutional policy -- Creating a student success culture -- Leading the campus to student success