Abstract:
This study was conducted to examine the factors that both
support and inhibit retention among first-generation college
students. In recent years, state boards of regents have begun to
hold universities accountable for students successfully
completing of their academic goals. In order for universities to
help students to achieve their academic goals, institutions of
higher education must search for new strategies to improve
student retention. An examination of retention and its
relationship to emotional intelligence has been reviewed. A
recurring theme in this review was that emotional intelligence
assessment may provide new strategies to help student retention.
Participants’ emotional intelligence levels were measured by the
Mayer, Salovey, Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test V2.0. The
FreezeFrame® emotion-management tool was used to provide
participants with training to regulate or bring their emotions
more under their conscious control. It was anticipated this
training would be reflected in a higher retention rate.