This endorsement identifies 22 direct student support programs that are part of the MDRC Texas’s Student Success Acceleration Programs: Implementation Findings report. MDRC led an implementation study in Texas of student support programs and how they were funded, how they were implemented, what they cost, which outcomes they targeted, and how many students they reached. These programs’ components, detailed in the final report, were compared to the evidence base.
The programs receiving this endorsement participated in a Student Success Acceleration Implementation Grant and were determined to be direct student support programs by MDRC. MDRC has published a report sharing key findings from that project, including findings about this program, available at https://www.mdrc.org/publication/texas-s-student-success-acceleration-programs. While a rigorous evaluation of the impacts of the SSAP grants is beyond the scope of that project, past research can be used to identify promising program practices, as MDRC and other researchers across the country have previously conducted randomized controlled trials that have demonstrated program models and components which have yielded positive impacts for students in higher education. These positive impacts include improving students’ retention, credit accumulation, and graduation rates. The report presents preliminary observations based on an analysis of 22 direct student support program grantees, summarizes findings from past research on components with positive impacts for students, and discusses the extent to which the 22 programs used models with components similar to those found in the evidence base.
The Somos Unidos “ One Word Project" is a student success initiative …
The Somos Unidos “ One Word Project" is a student success initiative designed to accelerate mentor training and knowledge to support first-generation students and positively increase student retention and graduation rates. In partnership with the UIW FLIGHT Mentor Center, this project further expands UIWs ability to improve outcomes for first-generation students through curricular and co-curricular programming as well as professional development for faculty and staff. The intent is to create a sense of belonging for our students and methods to help students develop confidence and their own voices, ultimately strengthening retention rates amongst first-generation students. The Somos Unidos “ One Word Project seeks to raise the UIW retention rate to its institutional goal of 75% and close the gap each semester between these underserved populations and all other groups combined.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.
PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)
PROGRAM OUTCOMES: First-Generation Celebration Survey 64% of respondents identified as first-generation. 19% of respondents usually tell their classmates they are first generation, while 27% only reveal in relevant situations 63% of respondents felt their was more academic support than expected before starting at the university The most important services most helpful for first generation students were identified as celebration events, advising support, and financial aid support. A low awareness of support services for first generation students indicates the need for opportunities for the institution to increase efforts to help first generation students know what supports are available.
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of Student Success (website to be launched in Fall 2023)
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Dr. Monica Ayala Jimenez at monica.jimenez@uiwtx.edu or 210-805-3005
South Texas College has developed and implemented a re-engagement program designed to …
South Texas College has developed and implemented a re-engagement program designed to accelerate credential completion among adults with some college hours, but no credential. The program includes targeted marketing and recruitment communications, personalized support with enrollment, scholarship opportunities, and assistance with wrap-around services. Eligible students are connected with the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) for academic case management and basic needs supports in order to keep students on track towards graduation.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.
PROGRAM SCALE: Small-scale (reaches fewer than 10 percent of its target population)
PROGRAM OUTCOMES: Internal reporting from our Research & Analytical Services Office shows that we are exceeding our program goals, including the number of students re-engaging with the College through our recruitment platforms and the number of students re-enrolling. A recent analysis of students that re-enrolled in the Spring semesters showed a low rate of withdraws and a high course passing rate.
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Engagement & Completion Services Department
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Tony Matamoros at omatamoros_6284@southtexascollege.edu or (956) 872-2026
The goal of this initiative is two-fold: First, to remove economic barriers …
The goal of this initiative is two-fold: First, to remove economic barriers for students to improve their mental well-being. This will be accomplished by providing technology to students who otherwise might not be able to afford it. This technology will exist in a student space accessible to students who are already served by two of our campus-wide success programs.
Secondly, this initiative will engage staff - with a particular focus on advisors - in training and discussion groups focused on creating equitable and inclusive organizations. The purpose of this is to increase a sense of belonging low-income and students of color experience on our campus.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.
PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: School of Undergraduate Studies
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Hillary Procknow at HILLARY.PROCKNOW@AUSTIN.UTEXAS.EDU or 5122327581
The IG has enabled the A&M System to implement the strategies detailed …
The IG has enabled the A&M System to implement the strategies detailed in the SSPG, aiding in increasing stopped out student re-enrollment and completion. The System supports a Community of Practice (COP) to regularly engage and collaborate, and work as a Networked Improvement Community (NIC). The work focuses on four common core areas, which were identified as areas of need including: 1.) Marketing & Communication (Engagement, Website, Accessibility) 2.) Admissions Policy & Practice (Application, Transcript, Admissions) 3.) Financial Resources & Policy (Debt management, Financial aid, Funding) 4.) Student Support Resources (Onboarding and acclimation, Flexibility of resource access, Relevant support services, from basic needs to career). Institutions developed specific action items in each core area, including expanding strategic outreach and communication; promoting belonging; and improving learning in targeted courses.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.
PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: The Texas A&M University System Office of Academic Affairs
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Shonda Ann Gibson at sgibson@tamus.edu or 9794587081
The Enhanced Culture of Tutoring project will build an innovative campus-wide culture …
The Enhanced Culture of Tutoring project will build an innovative campus-wide culture of tutoring through which all undergraduate students understand the academic gains that can be achieved through targeted academic improvement. Our approach centers on the primary focus area of developing Academic Supports by reinforcing our existing traditional tutoring services by 1) adopting an engaging, flexible, remote, on-demand, app-based tutoring format; 2) expanding course-based weekly group tutoring; and 3) developing faculty advocacy for the vital role that out-of-class tutoring plays in the success of their students.
Establishing a culture of tutoring at UH through this three-pronged approach will ensure sustainability of the cultural shift and accelerate persistence and success in key courses, leading to measurably increased retention and graduation rates.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.
PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)
PROGRAM OUTCOMES: We have found that students who participated in the Knack tutoring app or group tutoring during Spring 2023 were more likely to pass their courses than those who did not participate in tutoring.
To address the growing number of TSI (Texas Success Initiative) math incomplete …
To address the growing number of TSI (Texas Success Initiative) math incomplete students who may not be college ready as they come to campus, UNT is providing supplemental instruction/tutoring/testing for TSI incomplete students, including the math platform and resources for success. Students who have graduated high school and are TSI incomplete will receive online or face-to-face math EdReady platform instruction with the goal of achieving a passing rate on the platform and being TSI complete by the time the students start their freshman year of classes. In addition, we completed a communication campaign with two area high schools to encourage TSI complete status before UNT admitted students arrive at orientation in August.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.
PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)
PROGRAM OUTCOMES: Students who passed the TSI-incomplete summer bridge math program achieved at an equal rate to their TSI-complete peers in their freshman math class.
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Vice Provost for Student Success
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Chelsea Bradshaw at chelsea.bradshaw@unt.edu or 940-565-3633
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) aspires to be a …
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) aspires to be a model Hispanic thriving institution where students from all backgrounds can excel. The purpose of the UTSA Thrive program is to enhance support and advocacy for underserved populations (first-generation, economically disadvantaged, and students of color) by developing a thriving student framework and strengthening the integration of support services across multiple student success units on campus.
Higher education institutions commonly use persistence, retention, and graduation rates to measure student success which does not provide a complete picture of student thriving. The UTSA Thrive program builds on lessons learned in identifying rapid responses to unpredictable pandemic changes and leverages an established support ecosystem to implement a holistic campus approach to support student thriving and reimagine how we define, support, and measure student success.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.
PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: University of Texas at San Antonio Division of Student Success
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Tammy Wyatt at tammy.wyatt@utsa.edu or 210-458-5717
The Accelerate Planning Grant provided the Watermark Student Success and Engagement Software …
The Accelerate Planning Grant provided the Watermark Student Success and Engagement Software and stipends to faculty and staff to learn and utilize the system. The grant also made it possible to train on cultural assets to increase Hispanic male and Asian male student success, cultivating a new focus on student success at UST. Specifically, this effort is meant to increase student retention and graduation rates among Hispanic males, Asian males and the entire undergraduate student body overall while creating a culture of student success informed by student success software driven by proven data analytics.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.
PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs (UST AVPAA)
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Janice Adamson Splawn, MSM, CFRE at adamsoj@stthom.edu or 281 382 5914
The Division of Student Affairs is utilizing Implementation Grant to employ a …
The Division of Student Affairs is utilizing Implementation Grant to employ a redesign of how learning and engagement opportunities for students are achieved. The redesign is modeled on the Curricular Approach to Student Affairs work. A curricular approach is an increasingly popular method of organizing out-of-classroom learning and engagement experiences for college students. The approach entails the development of learning objectives and then sequencing and scaffolding designed learning experiences to achieve these objectives. Through this focus on student learning and throughout the design process, formative and summative assessment measures are more easily identified, designed, and analyzed to allow for overall curriculum review, improvement, and advancement. With the assistance of the ASSI Planning Grant, the planning work has already begun and we are excited to develop and launch the curriculum at West Texas A&M
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format or has both online and in-person components.
PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)
DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Division of Student Affairs
CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Chance Haugen, AVP for Student Affairs at chaugen@wtamu.edu or (806) 651-2050
The Warhawk Success Center will use historical student success data to develop …
The Warhawk Success Center will use historical student success data to develop an index to identify those students who are more likely to need success coaching and wrap around support. This will allow us to calibrate the proactive care provided by success coaches, focusing their efforts on the students who are most likely to need it. The majority of our students have only a vague notion of how the college classes they are taking connect to the career choices they will eventually make. This contributes to poor engagement with faculty and coursework, leading to students dropping out of college. We will clarify and strengthen the connection between academic pursuits and career readiness by adding the Office of Experiential Learning and Career Planning. Engaging students in activities outside the classroom is a high impact practice contributing to the development of critical skill sets boosting success in the classroom and improving the transition to postgraduate study and careers. The War Hawk Flight Plan provides a discipline-specific road map that guides students to key experiential learning opportunities promoting critical 21st Century Career Skills. We think that providing every McMurry student with at least one experiential learning opportunity will improve retention and graduation rates and workforce transition metrics.
DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.
PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)
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