Data tell us a compelling story about community college student success. Studies of student attrition show that significant numbers of students leave college before completing their first term. In focus groups, we ask students whether they have ever considered dropping out. Not surprisingly, almost all tell us they have. “So,” we ask, “why are you still here?” More often than not, they answer the question with the name of an individual at the college — a member of the faculty, an advisor, another student, a staff member. We are learning about the power of relationships that cut across ages, gender, ethnicities, cultures and life experiences. And we are sharing practices from colleges that are creating cultures that value each student’s strengths and experiences, set high expectations and provide the support students need to succeed.

Students tell us that their community colleges offer them the opportunity to get to know people who are different from themselves and often help them get to know themselves as well.

“I was born in the United States and went through the whole school system and didn’t really know about my culture and my roots. [My instructor] taught me a lot about the history of Mexico, my ancestors. My greatgreat grandpa was of African descent so I got to understand why it was all mixed into the Mexican culture and how I came to be. It was awesome. To realize what my identity is — it’s really important.”

The MetLife Foundation Initiative currently is focusing on Starting Right, the first three weeks of the community college student’s experiences. Our newest students are telling us that they are highly motivated and firmly committed to finishing what they start and truly believe they will. After a few short weeks, students offer advice about how to help them get off to the right start.

• “For the first weeks, have people standing around to help and point you in the right direction.”

• “I think each student someway, somehow, should be assigned a mentor. Sometimes kids do get de-motivated, and they need that little push and they need the right encouragement.”