

Am I a Loser?
Finding the First Year by P. Cody Canning
S1 · E1
Feb 24, 2026
49:11
Episode notes
I begin my quest to find the first year (of college) and myself.
Working in the first year at a public institution in a state that has largely withdrawn public funding for higher education means supporting retention (in other words, helping students return for a second year). At schools like mine, which truly serve a diverse group of students, approximately one in four students will leave the institution without returning for a second year.
So, I begin my quest while exploring the ins and outs of retention and how working in a job built around retention has made me feel like a loser!
Want to follow along for professional learning? Access the Finding Your First Year packet and follow along with your team or as an individual.
Keywords
College
College Success
Retention
First-Year Experience
Student Success
College Persistence