Dr. Vincent Tinto, one of the nation’s most influential scholars on student success, will keynote the inaugural Caring Campus Conference: Building a National Culture of Care this November in San Diego.
A Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University and former Chair of the Higher Education Program, Tinto has spent his career advancing research on college retention, persistence, and belonging. His work shows that student success hinges on two essentials: the motivation to persist and the ability to persist.
“I have always been intrigued by what influences student motivation and the question of what institutions can reasonably do to influence their motivation,” Tinto said. “One of the key factors is a sense of belonging. Students must know that they matter and that they have value and a voice.”
Tinto’s perspective is shaped by his own journey. While pursuing a doctorate in physics, he decided to drop out after experiencing a strong sense of isolation on campus. After later earning a doctorate in Education and Sociology, 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.
At the Caring Campus Conference, Tinto will join keynote speaker Dr. Peter Felten and dozens of presenters from colleges and universities nationwide. Registration for the conference is open, with early-bird pricing available through Sept. 30.
“I am most excited to learn from others at the Caring Campus Conference,” Tinto said. “It’s incredibly valuable to have the chance to talk across boundaries, engage with new perspectives, and ensure that every voice is heard. That is one of the things I’ll be emphasizing in my own presentation.”
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