Douglas Named New Director of Retention and Advising

J.D. Douglas has been named director of retention and advising as part of the University’s Enrollment Management Group (EMG).

Douglas, who has been with Duquesne since 2000, has served as an academic advisor, a member of the Banner Implementation Team and, most recently, director of enrollment research and systems.

“We’ve needed a full-time position dedicated to retention and advising, and I’m pleased we were able to realign staff internally to make that happen,” said Paul-James Cukanna, associate provost for enrollment management. “Our most recent freshman retention rate is 88.8 percent, which is well above the national average. With this new position, dedicated colleagues around campus and new technology tools, we are poised to make that rate even stronger. President Dougherty has challenged the University Retention Committee to achieve a 90 percent freshman retention rate within the next several years.”

During the past two years, the EMG has worked with Karen Bova, coordinator of undergraduate advisement, to enhance academic advisement services through the application of analytics, more sophisticated tools such as Starfish and Banner Degree Audit, and innovative staff development to include applying coaching skills to advising.

“A recent student survey showed strong student satisfaction with academic advisement services and student relationships with their advisors,” said Cukanna. “Of all the student services on campus, advisors received one of the highest satisfaction ratings.”

Douglas will work with Bova, the University Retention Committee, academic advisors, the Office of Freshman Development, student life, and other student service providers in support of advisement and retention.

“This is a great opportunity to continue to enhance our already strong retention and advising through new and heightened efforts,” said Douglas. “I’m delighted to have this opportunity.”