A conversation. A connection. A reason to keep going.
Across Lane, we build relationships that help students feel seen, find support, and move toward their goals. A familiar practice, a colleague’s experience, or an unexpected act of care can spark a new way to connect.
Lane spotlight: relationships in action
Cathy Thomas and Gina Szabady’s Retention via Relationships (RvR) received the League for Innovation in the Community College’s 2024–2025 Innovation of the Year Award.
Their work connected faculty with timely enrollment information and registration resources, brought students’ questions and barriers back to colleagues who could help, and informed drop-in registration events known as RegFests.
Put Lane’s retention updates to work
Weekly inspiration. Practical next steps. Use a timely reminder to start a conversation, then return to the archive whenever you need an idea.
IN YOUR INBOX
A weekly tip, ready to use
Watch for Retention Resources: Tip of the Week in your Lane email. Each issue shares timely reminders and ways to connect students with registration, advising, academic support, and other resources.
Example: Fall 2026, Week 4 · October 19.
WHEN YOU NEED IT
The archive + weekly playbook
Revisit past newsletters, search by topic, term, or week, and explore an outreach rhythm from before the term through finals. Open the original issues for context and sharing resources.
Explore the archive & playbook
Plan ahead, find a useful tip, or revisit an idea.
Select the preview to explore the newsletter archive and weekly playbook.
Find a starting point for your week
| Start strong | Keep momentum | Finish well |
|---|---|---|
| Before the term–Week 3 Welcome students, clarify expectations, and connect them with support. | Weeks 4–7 Check progress, plan ahead, and make time for registration. | Weeks 8–11 Revisit options, encourage support, and prepare for what’s next. |
The playbook offers a suggested rhythm, not a dated calendar. Confirm current deadlines and service details before sharing an older issue.
Build on Lane’s ongoing retention work. Original newsletter issues credit Institutional Research and the Enrollment Work Group, or the Enrollment Operations Team. Explore Institutional Research.
Connections that keep us going
Our digital graffiti board brings together ideas from the CTL Community Breakfast and invites new voices. Students, faculty, staff, managers, and alumni are welcome.
A preview of our Padlet community board.
- Share a practice. What helps your students feel seen, connected, and supported?
- Share a moment. What did a faculty or staff member do that helped you keep going?
Explore the board and add your voice
A few sentences are plenty. Use the + button to add a post, leave a comment, or give an idea a heart. No Padlet account is required, and you can describe someone without naming them.
A reminder from our community
“We should meet students where their needs are which is oftentimes random but immediate.”
An anonymous form contributor suggested text or email check-ins, advising connections, and a place for quick questions, especially for students with limited time on campus. Small, timely connections give us ideas to explore together.
Prefer a different way to connect? Share an idea through our anonymous form, join a CTL Community Breakfast, or contact the CTL.
Contact the CTL
Kevin Steeves
CTL Coordinator
ctl@lanecc.edu
Center Building, room 303
Third floor, across from Testing Services