Acknowledgements

Helping LBS college learners stay in programs long enough to achieve their goals remains an ongoing challenge and priority for LBS college programs. This was evident by the participation of so many individuals in this project – managers, practitioners, counsellors, support staff, special needs staff and learners. They completed questionnaires, gave us samples of policies and procedures to pore over, and contributed materials that they developed to share with other practitioners in the field. They consulted with us and provided critical feedback as we struggled with definitions, models and processes related to retention and redirection.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the following colleges: Algonquin, Confederation, Cambrian, Canadore, Centennial, Connestoga, Durham, Fanshawe, Georgian, Humber, Lambton, Niagara, Northern, St. Clair, Sheridan, and Sir Sandford Fleming.

We wish to recognize LBS faculty and managers from Durham, Cambrian and Canadore in particular who provided support and direction through the consultation phase.

There are a few individuals we need to acknowledge for going the ‘extra mile’. They are Nancy Mozina, Niagara College; Kristen Gunn and Nancy Bassis, Cambrian College; Bob Smith, Sir Sandford Fleming College; Barb Glass, Canadore College; and Janet Nisbet, Durham College.

Out deepest thanks go to Cambrian College LBS Learners who shared with us their perspectives on a range of topics and issues related to retention.

We are especially grateful to the College Sector Committee for Adult Upgrading and Lynne Wallace, Executive Director, for envisioning this important project and having faith that we that we could bring it to fruition. We appreciate the financial support provided by the National Literacy Secretariat and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

A very special and heartfelt thanks goes to Rijha Saddler whose ‘redirection’ provided an ongoing source of inspiration for us.

Researchers: Mary Jonik and Dee Goforth

Cover Design: Linda Frappier