Improving Student Success at the University of Kansas: A Randomized Evaluation of Technology and Peer Support

The University of Kansas (KU), the state’s flagship institution, strives to retain and graduate all of its students. This goal is challenging, given its mission to accept and educate the vast majority of students who apply. This study evaluates the effectiveness of technology-driven outreach strategies in improving student success and retention at the University of Kansas. Despite widespread adoption of progress reporting tools like Navigate360 (Jayhawk GPS), faculty engagement and utilization remain low. Progress reporting is widely regarded as an effective retention strategy, yet causal evidence of its impact is limited. We propose a cluster-randomized evaluation across multiple sections of high-enrollment, high-DFW courses within KU’s required general education. Sections will be randomly assigned to one of three arms: (1) no formal intervention, (2) progress reporting only, and (3) progress reporting with navigator-led outreach. Outcomes will include course grades, DFW rates, term-to-term retention, and student survey responses, adjusted for demographic and course-level factors. This research aims to identify the most effective outreach approach, optimize resource allocation, and inform evidence-based retention practices. Results will contribute to the broader literature on randomized evaluations in higher education and guide institutional strategies for student success.