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As a first-generation student and son of Italian immigrants, Tinto has long been interested in the idea of student retention and success. While pursuing a doctorate in physics, he decided to drop out after experiencing a strong sense of isolation on campus. He joined the Peace Corps, serving for two years in Turkey before returning to pursue a doctorate in Education and Sociology at the University of Chicago. There, his advisor asked him to develop a report on student retention – a project that became the lynchpin of his lifelong work.
Tinto went on to write two influential books on student success and institutional policy – Leaving College and Completing College – which remain foundational texts in higher education. Over the course of his career, he has shared his research across the globe, speaking in countries from Australia and New Zealand, to Chile, South Africa, Norway, and beyond.
“Developing a true Caring Campus is more than just helping students graduate,” Tinto said. “It’s about creating an environment in which students not only achieve academically, but are enriched and empowered to succeed in a welcoming, supportive community.”
In addition to Tinto’s keynote, the Caring Campus Conference will feature Dr. Peter Felten, another leading educational theorist who has spent decades researching the power of human connection in higher education. The conference will also include approximately 35 presentations from Caring Campus colleges and universities across the nation, spanning four distinct strands: staff, faculty, leadership, and researchers.
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