Retention Leadership Groups
Student success is the priority of colleges and units across the University of Arizona. The Retention Leadership Groups bring together staff and faculty to focus on undergraduate student persistence.
2024-2025 Retention Steering Committee
The Retention Steering Committee (RSC) was established in 2021 to ensure point-in-time coordination of information and action during the critical summer months. The group is comprised of functional leadership from key areas across campus to problem-solve in real-time. The committee also works to prioritize strategic efforts for the new academic year.
- Alex Underwood | University Registrar
- Amanda Kraus | Vice President for Student Affairs
- Art Young | Chief Financial Aid Administrator and Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management
- Chrissy Lieberman | Dean of Students
- Christie Harper | Vice President of Marketing for Campus Brand Engagement
- Christine Salvesen | Chief Retention Officer and Associate Vice Provost for Student Success
- Francisco Garcia | Chief of Staff for President’s Office
- Greg Heileman | Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
- Jennifer Ludwig | Director of Strategic Interventions and Data Management for Student Success
- Jenny Nirh | Director of Collaboration, Communication and Outreach for Student Success
- Kris Wong Davis | Vice President of Enrollment Management & Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
- Laura Andrews | Senior Analyst of Assessment and Research for Student Success
- Mark Barton | Bursar and Director of CatCard Services
- Mark Ray | Architect of Academic Data for University Assessment and Institutional Research
- Patty Prelock | Interim Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
- Sarah Kyte | Senior Research Scientist for Student Success
- Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski | Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Advising
Student success is impacted by academic, social, financial, and wellness related factors. Therefore, supporting the persistence and completion of all students requires a broad network of partners across the university and in the colleges. This group will serve as an information hub and space to coordinate around issues and initiatives impacting persistence. Drawing on innovative approaches and also established, high-impact practices, the team will provide leadership around complimentary and effective practices to best support the persistence and completion of all University of Arizona undergraduates. Core areas of focus include student outreach, broadening participation in persistence efforts, and data-driven decision-making.
Co-Leads
Christine Salvesen, Associate Vice Provost, Student Success and Retention Innovation (SSRI)
Mark Ray, Architect, Academic Data, University Analytics and Institutional Research (UAIR)
Representatives
Aaron Barnes | Director | Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) |
Aaron Davis Martinez | Associate Director | Student Engagement and Career Development |
Alex Robie Harris | Senior Project Director | Office of University Initiatives |
Alex Underwood | Registrar | Office of the Registrar |
Amanda Gluski | Associate Registrar | Office of the Registrar |
Amanda Kraus | Interim Vice President | Student Affairs |
Amy Kimme Hea | Senior Associate Dean | College of Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Andrea Gaub | Director | College of Public Health |
Arthur Young | Chief Financial Aid Administrator | Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid |
Ashley Hurand | Assistant Director | University Analytics and Institutional Research |
Betheny King | Retention Specialist | College of Applied Science and Technology |
Blanca Payne | Associate Director | College of Fine Arts |
Chrissy Lieberman | Interim Dean of Students | Dean of Students |
Christie Harper | Vice President | Campus Brand Engagement |
Christina Gargus | Grant and Project Coordinator | Native American Advancement & Tribal Research |
Danielle Flink | Retention Specialist | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences |
Darcy Van Patten | Chief Technology Officer | Student and Academic Technologies |
David Boulton | Undergraduate Program Manager | College of Fine Arts |
David Salafsky | Assistant Vice President/Executive Director | Campus Health Service |
Elliott Cheu | Interim Senior Vice President | Research and Innovation |
Emily McCarthy | Interim Executive Director, SECD | Student Engagement and Career Development |
Felisia Tagaban Gaskin | Director | Native SOAR (Student Outreach Access and Resiliency) |
Gabrielle Miller | Assistant Vice Provost SSRI and Executive Director SALT Center | SALT Center |
Gail Burd | Senior Vice Provost | Academic Affairs / Teaching and Learning |
Grace Hurd | Associate Director | Arizona Online |
Greg Heileman | Vice Provost | Undergraduate Education |
James Hunt | Interim Associate Dean | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences |
Jamie Matthews | Senior Associate Director | Residential Education in Housing and Residential Life |
Jenna Rutschman | Director Marketing Strategy | Campus Brand Engagement |
Jennifer Hatcher | Vice Provost, Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Inclusion Officer | Office of Diversity & Inclusion |
Jennifer Ludwig | Director | SSRI Central |
Jenny Nirh | Director | SSRI Central |
Jeremiah Paschke-Wood | Department Head Student Learning and Engagement | University Libraries |
Jeremiah Webb | Specialist | College of Humanities |
Jessica Chung | Academic Advisor | School of Information (iSchool) |
Julie Reed | Academic Advisor | College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture |
Kailey Glibert | Associate Director, Academics | Honors College |
Kasey Urquidez | Chief Enrollment Officer and Vice President | Enrollment Management |
Kendra Thompson-Dyck | Director | Assessment and Research |
Laura Andrews | Senior Analyst | SSRI Central |
Laura Horley | Director, Marketing and Communications | Honors College |
Laura Ullrich | Senior Director of Academic Advising | Eller College of Management |
Leticia Soto-Delgadillo | Executive Director | The A Center |
Letty Molina-Gutierrez | Senior Academic Advisor | College of Education |
Linda Denno | Associate Dean | College of Applied Science & Technology |
Lisa Elfring | Vice Provost | University Center for Assessment, Teaching and Technology |
Marisa Pope-Malings | Director | College of Engineering |
Marisol Quiroz | Director | CATS Academics |
Mark Barton | Bursar and Director | Bursar, Catcard Services |
Marla Franco | Assistant Vice Provost | Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives |
Marla Rodriguez | Manager | Arizona Online |
Megan Forecki | Program Manager | Student Engagement and Career Development |
Meredith Aronson | Director, CRM and Digital Experience Services | Digital Experience Technology |
Michelle McKelvey | Senior Director | Thrive Center |
N. Levi Esquerra | Senior Vice President | Native American Advancement and Tribal Engagement |
Nancy Rodriguez Lorta | Senior Director | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences |
Nicole Kontak | Assistant Dean | College of Applied Science & Technology |
Noel Hennessey | Director | College of Engineering |
Noelle Sallaz | Associate Director | International Student Services |
Rachael Ronald | Assistant Dean | College of Social and Behavioral Sciences |
Rafael Eduardo Celaya-Gonzalez | Senior Lecturer | English |
Randy Yazzie | Senior Academic Advisor | College of Science |
Ravneet Chadha | Chief Data Officer and Associate Vice President | University Analytics and Institutional Research |
Rebecca Field | Director | College of Pharmacy |
Rupa Murali | Assistant Director | COM-T Comprehensive Education Center |
Sarah Kyte | Senior Research Scientist | SSRI Central |
Sarah Wieland | Production Manager | Digital Experience Technology |
Sean Kramer | Director of Advising and Student Success | School of Information (iSchool) |
Sharon Aiken-Wisniewski | Assistant Vice Provost Academic Advising | Undergraduate Education |
Shelley McGrath | Director | Transfer Credit and Articulation |
Stephani Kilby | Director | UAGC |
Stephanie Thiltges | Senior Academic Advisor | College of Nursing |
Tara Radniecki | Associate Dean | University Libraries |
Tessa Dysart | Assistant Vice Provost | Native American Initiatives |
Tina Deemer | Director, Academic and Support Services | Math Department |
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Working Sub-Groups
Persistence – Education and Training (led by Jen Ludwig & Amanda Gluski)
Trellis – Enhanced Collaboration (led by Darcy Van Patten )
Retention & Completion Communications ( led by Jenna Rutschman & Jenny Nirh)