Hartnell College’s Proactive Approach to Student Well-being and Retention

In today’s evolving higher education landscape, colleges face a dual challenge: attracting new students while ensuring those already enrolled have the support they need to thrive. Hartnell College offers a compelling case study of how a proactive, compassionate approach to student well-being can translate into measurable success.

According to the 2023 #RealCollege survey, the nation’s largest annual assessment of basic needs security among college students, students most vulnerable to basic needs insecurity, such as food scarcity, unstable housing, and lack of essential resources, are also the most likely to drop out or not enroll. Recognizing this critical connection, Hartnell made student support a strategic cornerstone of its retention efforts.

To address these challenges, Hartnell partnered with Motimatic, a behavioral science-driven engagement platform. Together, they launched a campaign rooted in empathy and evidence-based practices. Rather than relying on traditional marketing, the college deployed GuidePosts, personalized social media messages designed to resonate with students’ lived experiences. These messages offered encouragement, shared resources, and reinforced that students are valued and supported.

Motimatic contributed deep expertise, drawing on motivational theory and insights from more than 250 partnerships with colleges and universities. The goal was clear: foster a sense of belonging and care that would inspire students to stay on their education path.

Hartnell College’s Spring 2023 partnership with Motimatic resulted in a 5% increase in retention from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023. This success is attributed to the fact that students who feel seen, supported, and connected to their institution are more likely to persist and complete their studies.

“Looking at the number of students we’ve enrolled for Spring compared to this time last Spring, we’re up by ~1,500 students. Motimatic helped with that tremendously,” said Gayle Pitman, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Equity, Effectiveness, and Success at Hartnell College.

Hartnell’s approach offers a critical lesson for other institutions: supporting current students is just as essential as recruiting new ones. By creating an inclusive and caring digital presence that reflects the diversity of their student community, colleges can significantly strengthen engagement and, ultimately, retention rates. Hartnell’s case study demonstrates that prioritizing student well-being is not just a moral imperative; it’s a powerful driver of institutional success. If you are interested in learning more about leveraging the Foundation for California Community Colleges’ agreement with Motimatic, please contact cbcontracts@foundationccc.org.