Dan Gianoutsos, Ph.D. (Student Success; Academic Affairs) was the featured presenter for McGraw Hill’s national “Lunch and Learn” virtual series (Oct. 7, 2025). His well-attended session, “Beyond the Grades: Understanding Why Students Drop Out of College,” examined the underlying factors contributing to student attrition. Drawing on an extensive review of the literature, Dr. Gianoutsos introduced the ESPI conceptual framework (Economic, Sociological, Psychological, and Institutional), which helps educators better understand non-academic reasons students withdraw. The framework provides actionable insights to strengthen strategies for improving student retention, progression, and completion.