Recruitment, Preparation, Retention: A case study of computing culture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

TL;DR

This study at the University of Illinois examines factors affecting computer science enrollment, highlighting the need to better promote departmental activities to improve recruitment, preparation, and retention.

Contribution

It provides insights into departmental culture and suggests promoting existing activities to enhance student engagement and enrollment in computer science.

Findings

Research focus draws attention away from teaching and community activities

Better promotion of departmental activities can improve student engagement

Recommendations based on peer institution practices

Abstract

Computer science is seeing a decline in enrollment at all levels of education, including undergraduate and graduate study. This paper reports on the results of a study conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign which evaluated students attitudes regarding three areas which can contribute to improved enrollment in the Department of Computer Science: Recruitment, preparation and retention. The results of our study saw two themes. First, the department's tight research focus appears to draw significant attention from other activities -- such as teaching, service, and other community-building activities -- that are necessary for a department's excellence. Yet, as demonstrated by our second theme, one partial solution is to better promote such activities already employed by the department to its students and faculty. Based on our results, we make recommendations for improvements and enhancements based on the current state of practice at peer institutions.