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Higher education institutions increasingly recognize the need to revolutionize approaches to student success. This study employs Human-Centered Design Thinking (HCDT), addressing the challenges faced by students and developing initiatives aimed at improving retention, progression, and graduation rates. Approximately 90 undergraduate students participated in the HCDT sessions, sharing insights about their academic progress. Through a collaborative process, students innovatively designed strategies to overcome these challenges. The HCDT process produced four key themes: proper and timely advisement; courses, schedules, and majors responsive to student demand; reciprocal communication clarity within and about courses; and resource knowledge availability and access. This study features the transformative potential of HCDT in higher education, placing students at the forefront of understanding challenges and designing strategies. By embracing this human-centered approach, institutions can significantly enhance retention, progression, and graduation rates, contributing to an inclusive and supportive educational environment.
Ramos et al. (Sun,) studied this question.