Testing the effects of a social capital intervention on college student retention and academic success

Social capital, particularly in the form of supportive relationships and mentorship, plays a crucial role in enhancing college students' academic success and retention. However, disparities in access to these resources contribute to inequities in educational and career outcomes. This study examined the long-term effects of a one-credit course, Connected Scholars, which was designed to teach college students a variety of evidence-based skills for building social capital and recruiting mentors. Drawing on longitudinal administrative data from a large, diverse public university, results demonstrated that passing Connected Scholars was associated with improved retention and an increased likelihood of graduating within 4 or 6 years. Connected Scholars was not associated with significant differences in cumulative GPA at graduation. Results highlight the potential long-term impacts of this semester-long social capital intervention. By increasing college retention and timely degree completion, Connected Scholars may help mitigate economic disparities often experienced by students from marginalized backgrounds.