The Michigan State University Strategic Retention Unit is committed to ensuring that every student admitted to MSU has the opportunity to learn, thrive, belong, and graduate. Guided by MSU’s strategic goal of achieving an 86% graduation rate with no opportunity gaps by 2030, the unit takes a holistic, campuswide approach to student retention and success. Initially established in 2022 with two Strategic Retention Managers, the team has since grown reflecting MSU’s deepened commitment to this mission.
The Strategic Retention Unit reports to the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Student Success. The team’s work is rooted in a multidisciplinary framework that integrates principles of social work, such as empathy, advocacy, and individualized support, to understand each student's unique context and help them navigate challenges. They are dedicated to auditing university policies and addressing institutional barriers that may hinder student retention, while also providing direct support to students facing difficult situations. By prioritizing genuine connection and advocating for and with students, the team ensures that students feel seen, supported, and empowered to persist through obstacles.
In addition to helping students overcome immediate challenges, the Strategic Retention Unit emphasizes proactive approaches to retention and persistence. Through intentional policies, practices, programs, and supports, they strive to create an inclusive environment where all students can succeed. Whether addressing systemic barriers or offering individualized care, the team’s mission is clear: to foster a culture of belonging and opportunity that enables every Spartan to reach their full potential.
Retention Initiatives
Undergraduate Departure Survey
The undergraduate Departure Survey allows students to notify MSU of voluntary temporary or permanent departures. Survey results help MSU support students' transitions, engage with potential returning students, and identify areas for institutional improvement and tailored retention strategies
Spartan Undergraduate Completion and Emergency Fund
The Spartan Undergraduate Completion and Emergency Fund application is a centralized application for most resources dedicated to supporting undergraduate Spartans facing financial hardship related to educational expenses, essential needs concerns, unexpected/unforeseen health challenges, and emergency situations.
Laptop Loaner Program
At some point students may find themselves without a laptop due to loss or damage. To cover the student during these down times, MSU has a Laptop Loan Program that can keep students engaged in coursework while they seek to replacement or repair their laptop. Please click below to request a laptop.
Learn and Thrive Coaching
Learn & Thrive Coaches are responsible for ensuring that students receive persistent, proactive, individualized coaching and support throughout their Michigan State University journey. We believe in working with students to help them identify and utilize their strengths while empowering them to thrive at MSU and beyond. During coaching meetings we will learn about the students' experiences at MSU, identify obstacles that may be barriers to their academic success, and help strategize solutions and next steps.
Council on Undergraduate Retention
MSU's Council on Undergraduate Retention unites campus partners to address academic, social, financial, and wellness factors influencing student success. The council coordinates campus wide initiatives and leads data-driven efforts to support student persistence and degree completion.
Persistence Campaigns
Semiannual campaigns where students who are not enrolled for an upcoming semester are contacted with the goal of offering support to encourage their continued enrollment. These efforts help identify and address barriers, ensuring students receive the resources needed to persist and succeed.
SpartanVoice Pulse Survey
The Spartan Voice Survey is a brief survey that goes out quarterly to students where they are asked questions on trending topics and needs related to persistence, retention, and student success.
University Retention Audit Tool
In development: The student persistence and retention audit tool will help catalog and assess policies and practices that influence student success and continued enrollment at Michigan State University. It offers a baseline to identify institutional assets and potential growth areas to support data-driven change.
Some College - No Degree
Our Some College – No Degree efforts include collaboration with campus partners and other postsecondary institutions. We identify former MSU students who left campus before their degree requirements were satisfied and contact them with strategies for reaching their goals or receiving their desired credentials.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
Our Credit for Prior Learning efforts expand opportunities for students to receive academic credit for college-level learning gained through work and experiential learning, military service, professional certifications, career and technical education, and other experiences. We collaborate with faculty and campus partners to develop equitable, student-centered pathways that support degree completion.
Unit Lead
Justin St. Charles, Ph.D., LMSW
Assistant Dean for Retention and Student Success
stchar10@msu.edu
Justin St. Charles is the Assistant Dean for Retention and Student Success in the Office of the Provost, Undergraduate Education at Michigan State University. St. Charles has a wide spectrum of student success leadership experience as well as extensive experience working on behalf of student success in policy, programming, and research. St. Charles is a clinically-licensed social worker and professor of practice in the School of Social Work with a background in student mental health and well-being, substance use, relationship violence, and grief and bereavement who is currently supervising the clinical licensure of several higher education professionals. Before serving as a Strategic Retention Manager, St. Charles was an Academic Advising Director for Exploratory and Exploring students specializing in purpose planning, academic support and resiliency, and reinstatement policy redevelopment. St. Charles is a proud first-generation student having earned his Ph.D. in the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) program at MSU and previously earned an MSW and B.A. in Psychology from MSU as well. His research focuses primarily on student success, grief and bereavement, and popular culture/public pedagogy.
Team Leadership
Julia Barnes
Assistant Director for Operations and Strategic Initiatives
Julia Barnes (she/they) is an Assistant Director in the Office of the Provost, Undergraduate Education at Michigan State University. Prior to starting this role, Julia worked in several offices across MSU including the Writing Center, Residence Education and Housing Services, TRIO Student Support Services, and Undergraduate Education. Julia is committed to student mental health, trauma, access, and addressing systemic issues across higher education.
Having to navigate institutions as a multiracial, disabled, neurodivergent, and queer student, Julia has deeply personal reasons to supporting others on their higher education endeavors. They earned a B.S. in Scientific and Technical Communication with minors in Psychology and Public Health from Michigan Technological University, as well as an M.A. in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University.
Kay Stevens, LLMSW
Associate Director for Coaching and Post-Traditional Student Success
kjsteve@msu.edu
Kay Stevens is an Associate Director in the Office of the Provost, Undergraduate Education at Michigan State University. Prior to starting her role in Strategic Retention, Kay advised the MSU Residence Halls Association and University Apartments Council of Residents and supported advising for the hall governments, Black Caucuses, and LGBTQIA+ caucuses. Before her professional return to MSU, much of her career had been at Lansing Community College, developing programs and supporting students by providing academic and life coaching as well as emergency and crisis assistance.
Kay is a first-generation, queer, neurodivergent student and holds a Bachelor's degree in English-Creative Writing and Professional Writing from Michigan State University, a Master’s in Higher Education Student Affairs from Eastern Michigan University, and a Master's in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She is also a Certified Youth Resilience Coach and Board-Certified Life Coach.
Learn and Thrive Coaches
Jimmy Hutchful
Learn and Thrive Coach
Jimmy Hutchful (he/him) is a Learn and Thrive Coach in the Strategic Retention Unit. Prior to this role, Jimmy worked in Residence Education and Housing Services and TRIO Student Support Services here at Michigan State University. Jimmy is committed to student development, equitable access, and addressing systemic issues across higher education.
Having to navigate institutions as a Black Man and First-Generation Graduate with a disability, Jimmy had to navigate unfamiliar systems with support and wants students to know they belong at MSU and have a purpose. He earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from the University of West Georgia as well as a Masters In Education in Student Affairs from the University of South Florida.
Bryce Wilson
Learn and Thrive Coach
Bryce Wilson is a Learn and Thrive Coach in the Strategic Retention Unit. Prior to starting this role Bryce worked at MSU in Residence Education and Housing Services as a Community Director. Before to his work at MSU Bryce Wilson served as a Community Director at the University of Arizona. Bryce earned a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from the University of South Carolina and a Masters of Education from Mercer University. As a first generation, queer, neurodivergent and multi-racial professional Bryce emphasizes inclusion, access, diversity and belonging in his support of students.
Intern
Ali Balkan
MSW Intern
Ali Balkan is the MSW Intern in the Strategic Retention Unit for the 2026-2027 academic year. Ali is originally from New Jersey and attended the University of Delaware for her undergraduate degree in Behavioral Health Science. After finishing her degree, Ali moved to Michigan and worked as the Director of Engagement at Michigan State Hillel (the Jewish student center on campus) overseeing programming, supervising student leaders, and engaging students in Jewish campus life. Currently, Ali works as a Resource Center Coordinator at Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit, and is working towards earning her MSW from Michigan State University. Ali is deeply passionate about student success and wellness, and is excited for the opportunity to work with the Strategic Retention Unit.
Contact
Michigan State University
Hannah Administration Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
retention@msu.edu