Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in Instagram

Rapid response study · Completed

Navigating “Summer Melt” Across the University MNPS Program

What shapes whether University of MNPS recipients enroll in college after graduation

District Impact

This study helped MNPS make University MNPS more visible, start postsecondary conversations earlier, and build tools counselors can use.

Create a College-Going Culture and Increase Postsecondary Visibility

  • Launched district-wide “Ask Me About UMNPS” visibility campaign, equipping school counselors with branded materials
  • Expanded university partner presence at school and district events beyond Counseling and Advising– specific programming
  • Collaborated with AVID and Advanced Academics to introduce postsecondary pathways earlier and more broadly


Establish Early and Continuous Communication and Exposure

  • Hosted districtwide learning sessions for elementary and middle school counselors to build awareness of University MNPS pathways and support earlier postsecondary advising
  • Presented UMNPS opportunities through Student Support Services programs


Accessible Milestones and Postsecondary Planning Infrastructure

  • Developed a Power BI dashboard that helps counselors quickly identify eligible students and target outreach to boost application rates
  • Securing a districtwide CCR platform to support milestone tracking, improve communication, and increase access to postsecondary pathway information (e.g., UMNPS)
  • Developing a Counseling Playbook to clarify expectations and strengthen consistent postsecondary advising

About the Research

According to the National College Attainment Network, summer melt is “the phenomenon of college-intending students who have applied to, been accepted by, and made a deposit to a college or university, but fail to matriculate to that college (or any other) in the fall following their high school graduation.”

This study examines what factors shape the decision to enroll/not enroll in college among scholarship recipients, how MNPS summer bridge programs impact college matriculation, and how organizational features of higher education institutions shape student matriculation patterns.

Study Team

METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Sanjana Ballal-Link
Director, Partnerships for Postsecondary Readiness

Sarah Chin
Chief Strategy Officer

Kevin Edwards
Ready Graduate Coordinator

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

Claire Smrekar  
Associate Professor

Amanda Alibrandi
Former Doctoral Student; Graduated 2024

Brittaney Baker  
Former Doctoral Student; Graduated 2024