Best Achievement Strategies for College (BASC) is a system-wide, university orientation course created to encourage traditional and non-traditional students to persist to degree completion. The class focuses on three elements: the development of a growth mindset, the early identification of a major and career, and the hands-on involvement in service learning. BASC is offered face-to-face on the residential campus, each external campus and online, each with a slightly different student population. The course is designed to assist and empower first-year learners with strategies and information to support the successful launch of their college career. Faculty from each academic school on the Plainview campus offer discipline-specific sections of the course, allowing students to make connections with faculty in their primary area of study while receiving information and success strategies specific to that major and profession. Throughout the semester, students learn about growth mindset, and receive information about student services, the writing center, the library, tutoring, and health and wellness, as well as strategies such as time and financial management, study skills, note taking, and learning styles. Students explore their interests, skills, and career goals upon choosing a major and are assisted one-on-one with registering for classes for their second semester. Members of the BASC course also participate in a service-learning project that ties discipline-specific activities to community service. The Best Academic Strategies for College (BASC) course is designed to make the transition to college a little less stressful by making information, strategies, and services readily available.

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: Student Success

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Dr. Rosemary Peggram at peggramr@wbu.edu or 8062913414

Bring Bobcats Back is a formal outreach to undergraduate stop-outs at Texas State University who have not completed their bachelor's degree. The program started in 2018 by targeting 350 seniors close to graduation but not enrolled in the past year. Due to early success, the university expanded the program in June 2020. The goal was to contact all undergraduate students who stopped out between 1990 and 2018. The list was checked through the National Student Clearinghouse database for degree completion at other institutions. The university developed an external partnership with ReUp Education to scale the operation. We did outreach to over 25,000 students who had attended in the past 28 years. Since 2020, we have enrolled 438 students, currently engaging 2,252 about returning, and 119 have graduated. We have 37 that have applied for May 2022 graduation. We have 256 students enrolled this spring. The persistence rate from fall to spring was 83%. The university applied for and received a three million reskilling grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to help remove financial barriers. This grant has allowed us to expand the reach to stop-outs, displaced workers, or those who want to reskill. Each semester, after census day, we add any new names for outreach. The feedback data from stop-outs is helping us to be more proactive with retention practices. The six-year graduation rate jumped by 2.8% since 2019. (2013 cohort 54%, 2014 Cohort 55%, and 2015 cohort 56.8%). We expect hundreds more students will enroll and graduate in the coming years from the Bring Bobcats Back initiative.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 240 students enrolled in fall (119 graduated) and 256 students enrolled in spring.

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program

WEBSITE TO APPLY: https://www.finaid.txstate.edu/more-info/general/texas-reskilling-grant-2021.html

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally and externally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Enrollment Management

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Gary T. Ray at gtr21@txstate.edu or 512 245-1977

The CARE Program was designed to assist with academic difficulties by enhancing the learning experience of its students. CARE creates an academic support network focused on the individual needs of each student and provides strategic resources for students to make well-educated choices for the remainder of their educational career. The process involves identifying students who will be on probation, or who are currently on probation, with whom we can help get back on track via self-assessments, Success Agreements, meetings with the Retention Coordinator, and various prescribed agreements, such as professional tutoring, mentoring, and academic coaching.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 0

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants are automatically enrolled in this program if they meet eligibility requirements

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Retention

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Holley Collier at holley.collier@tvcc.edu or 9036756259

Cardinal Communities (CC) is a mentoring program that provides a supportive community in which students engage in meaningful relationships with fellow students, faculty, and staff that empower them to develop a sense of community and belonging and gain information to successfully transition to Lamar University. CC serves first time in college students who participate in one-hour weekly non credit-bearing interest or major-based sessions that are led by Peer and Professional Mentors, which are supplemented with individual peer mentoring sessions and social events throughout their first semester.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 1080

HOW TO ENROLL: All incoming FTIC students are enrolled unless they request an exemption or have a major course conflict.

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: STAR (Student Tutoring and Retention) Services

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Rachel Hoover at rhoover@lamar.edu or 409-880-7202

These learning communities pair a subject-intensive (math or English) UNIV Freshman Seminar course with a gateway course in the subject as a form of corequisite remediation that takes the place of developmental education to help students achieve the status of TSI Complete.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 200

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants are automatically enrolled in this program if they meet eligibility requirements

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Student Success Center

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Beverly C Tomek at tomekb@uhv.edu or 361-570-4145

This program is to help academically underprepared students to complete their college level Math and English courses within the first two semesters. This is a cohort model where students stay together through their courses. In addition they receive mandatory tutoring and academic coaching that are free of charge. The Early Alert system is also included in this model, and the academic support specialists keep in touch with the students throughout the entire semester.

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)

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: Since the 2017 implementation of the co-requisite model, Math success rates went from 20% to 65% and English success rates went from 35% to 70% average.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: General Education and Academic Support

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Nadezhda Nazarenko at nnazarenko@alvincollege.edu or 281-756-3725

As a student success-driven institution, Coastal Bend College (CBC) offers many programs to help all students become college ready as efficiently and timely as possible. Collaborative teaching, accelerated courses, corequisites, and a faculty/student success teams are crucial to creating the encouraging and supportive learning environment that fosters a sense of learning autonomy and self-efficacy for students. CBC believes in providing the resources needed so that all students may accomplish their goals.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 180

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants are automatically enrolled in this program if they meet eligibility requirements

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally and externally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Transfer and General Education Department

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Christi Morgan at chrism@coastalbend.edu or 3616642981

The Drop Rate Improvement Program is a scientifically based program developed at Odessa College to answer the question “What factors account for the differences in student drop rates between instructors?” Created from research based on faculty feedback, the program has led to the highest in-class completion rates in the nation. Since its implementation in AY 2011, the Drop Rate Improvement Program has been institutionalized across the instructional division, with intentional support from the Division of Teaching & Learning, where success and drop rates are reviewed for each instructor, every term. The results of this program have led to the reduction of achievement gaps and attainment of equity among all major student demographic groups, across all courses, and instructional delivery methods at Odessa College.

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 Institutional Effectiveness

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Dr. Janice Hicks, VP of Institutional Effectiveness at jhicks@odessa.edu or 432-335-6342

This program teaches students the learning theories in the areas of cognition, learning, and motivation. It also introduces them to the learning strategies that enable students to optimize their learning and become strategic learners. Our goal is for the students to transfer these theories and strategies to their other courses so they are successful college students. All students are encouraged to take the EDUC 1300: Learning Frameworks course their first semester, but it is mandatory for students who have less than 13 semester credit hours in college. As part of the Texas Core Curriculum in the Social and Behavioral Sciences foundational component area, we also introduce critical thinking and drawing conclusions, empirical and quantitative skills, social responsibility, and communication. We hope that students take what they learn in this course and apply it to their personal lives and future careers as well as their academic 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: Academic Support & Student Success Division

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Dr. Deb Crislip-Baker at Deborah.Crislip-Baker@VictoriaCollege.edu or 361-573-3291

Early College High School transfer student initiatives focus on degree attainment with a specific focus on graduating with less debt. To promote degree completion, the program will involve establishing monthly development seminars, parent workshops, social engagement opportunities, financial aid packaging, and data analytics. While this program is administered by a manager, programmatic elements are developed in collaboration with departments across campus.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Enrollment Management

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Clifton Jones at cwjones@tamuct.edu or 2545195424

Early Start is a summer bridge program designed to assist incoming freshmen with successfully transitioning from high school to college. All incoming freshmen are eligible, though first-generation and low-income students are especially encouraged to apply. Students enroll in 6 credit-hours of coursework during UNT's 5W2 summer session and live alongside other participants in a designated residence hall. The program offers free room and board, textbooks, and academic supplies. Throughout the session, Early Starters attend weekly workshops focusing on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective College students in addition to community-building events.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Small-scale (reaches fewer than 10 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 27

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program

WEBSITE TO APPLY: https://earlystart.unt.edu

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Strategic Retention Initiatives

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Harold Woodard at harold.woodard@unt.edu or 940-565-2997

Embedded tutoring brings the tutor to the students. The tutors are present for lectures, so they know exactly how the teacher wants the students to attempt their problems. Students are more engaged when in groups and start to become a part of a group. Research has shown that students who feel they belong to a community, tend to stay. Students that need tutoring, but don't go, often say that they are either embarrassed to ask for help, insecure about their intellect, or afraid that others who see them might portray them as dumb. Embedded tutors address all of these concerns by sending the tutor to the students instead of the other way around.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 150

HOW TO ENROLL: All stakeholders have access to this program. As such, there is no enrollment process

EVALUATION STATUS: No data related to outcomes have been collected from this program

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Developmental Education

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Cesar Sanchez at sanchez_c@utpb.edu or 432-552-2839

The Entering Student Experience supports UTEP students in their first 45 credit hours to build a foundation for their academic excellence and professional success. ESE fosters an inclusive environment to ensure students from diverse backgrounds have a meaningful transition to UTEP.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program is in-person only.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: The impact of UNIV 1301 is greater on the first-term retentions of students. The impact is that students who take UNIV 1301 are 1.37 times more likely to be retained for high risk students.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Office of the Provost

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Denise Lujan, Ed.D. at cdlujan@utep.edu or (915) 747-6521

The F1RST program is a four-year comprehensive learning community program for first-generation, Texas residents. During the first year of the program, students live in a living-learning community. The program teaches students college success skills, personal skills, career and internship preparation, and leadership skills while building social and academic connections and belongingness to the campus. The goal of the F1RST program is to increase retention and success rates for first-generation, low-income students. If the student qualifies for financial aid (FAFSA on file, Texas resident, first-generation, family AGI of $50,000 or below) they may be eligible for a grant up to four-years totaling $20,000.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 71

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants are contacted at the point of admissions eligibility about the opporutnity to join the learning community. Student then must apply. All eligible are welcome to join after intent application.

EVALUATION STATUS: R_27BBQbat14JLTvV_F1RST Program Presentation Data 2

PRELIMINARY OUTCOMES DATA: The average retention rate for students in F1RST at Galveston College from Fall 2018 to Fall 2020 was 63%, compared to a 60% retention rate for non-F1RST students.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Center for Academic Learning Support at Texas A&M University - Galveston Campus

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Krista McBrien at kmcbrien@tamug.edu or 409-741-4353

FLEXTech is an innovative program that supports mobility into cybersecurity and information technology by connecting students and employers through networking events, career fairs, mentorship opportunities, and use of career platforms, the program provides career readiness to students through online and in-person learning and assistance with job search strategy, resume assistance, LinkedIn, cover letters, employer research, networking, and developing an understanding of IT and Cybersecurity job fields.

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: 126 program participants have self-reported an IT/Cybersecurity-related job or internship. Preliminary research indicates 85% of Bachelor of Applied Technology-Information Systems Cybersecurity graduates enrolled in the program have attained employment in their field of study versus 63% of students not enrolled in the program. Additional student labor market outcomes continue to be collected.

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Emerging Technical Grants Department

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Tara N. Lewis at tnlewis@collin.edu or 469-365-1809

The Fearless Leadership Institute (FLI), established at the University of Texas at Austin in 2013, is a holistic development initiative for Black and LatinX college women at UT-Austin, focusing on three core development areas: academic, personal, and professional development. The initiative provides services and hosts events that promote student engagement, sense of belonging, leadership development, and equips participants with the tools necessary for succeeding at the university and beyond. Participants can take advantage of weekly interest groups, exposure trips to Wall Street and Silicon Valley, international study abroad opportunities, graduate school preparation and mentorship from an upperclassmen, graduate students or professional women from the community. Part of FLI’s strategic plan includes extending programming and support to high school students. For the past two years, FLI has hosted a leadership conference for female high school students from around the state of Texas. To further impact high school students FLI will partner with She Needs To Know (SNTK), a local non-profit, to offer group and individual mentorship with the goal of impacting the postsecondary success for the high school participants of SNTK.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 442

HOW TO ENROLL: All stakeholders have access to this program. As such, there is no enrollment process

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes have been internally collected in the past

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Longhorn Center for Academic Equity

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Tiffany Lewis or Thais Moore at tiffany.tillis@austin.utexas.edu or 512-471-1205

Financial Literacy at Texas A&M University- San Antonio takes a multi-pronged approach to educating and equipping students as well as the general community with knowledge and skills in personal finance and financial management. Housed within the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement, Texas A&M University - San Antonio offers a Financial Literacy Fellows program with peer to peer education, one-on-one coaching, in-class presentations with a variety of topics, on and off campus outreach, and partnerships with entities both on and off campus. The goals of the program are to improve overall competency of personal finance, decrease finance-induced stress, career and economic development post-graduation, and improve retention rates. Major initiatives and programs include the Financial Literacy Fellows, a year-long program open to students majoring in finance or accounting at the undergraduate level, or are in the Masters of Public Accounting program. Students selected to serve as Financial Literacy Fellows are peer educators that advance financial literacy through campus presentations, community education, and creating individualized capstone projects to solve problems they see in the world. The Fellows help build capacity and reach, and improve relations with students. Another initiative are in-class presentations, which are incorporated into the First Year Seminar to acquaint new Jaguar students with Budgeting 101 and other financial education curriculum. Faculty in all departments and at all course levels can also request presentations on a variety of topics. For on-campus engagement Texas A&M University-San Antonio coordinates a variety of campus engagement events weekly throughout the academic year, and highlight a cluster of programs and workshops during the annual Financial Literacy Week (fall semester) and Money Smart Week (spring semester) in collaboration with several other campus departments. Money coaching appointments include one-on-one coaching which is wholly tailored to student needs and goals and is available free of charge to Jaguar students. Students meet with a trained money coach to strategize and implement a plan to help each student reach their financial goals. As a part of off-campus engagement, Texas A&M University-San Antonio also partners with community organizations such as Junior Achievement of South Texas to work with neighboring independent school districts so younger students can achieve financial literacy and capability before reaching higher education, as well as GEAR UP, a federal fund that helps low-income districts prepare students for higher education.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Small-scale (reaches fewer than 10 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 750

HOW TO ENROLL: there are multiple parts- to be a Financial Literacy Fellow students must apply, other students always have access to all other programming

EVALUATION STATUS: Data related to program outcomes are currently being internally collected

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: the Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Eliasz McCullen at emccullen@tamusa.edu or 210-784-1364

First-Gen Longhorn is a term at the University of Texas that describes any student whose parent(s)/guardian(s) do not have a four-year degree or higher from an institution of higher learning in the United States. In the fall of 2021, first-generation college students at UT Austin accounted for 23% of the undergraduate student body. The mission of the First-Gen Equity program is to create a community on campus for first-generation students by providing them with a multi-tiered support network and an immersive layering of academic, social and professional experiences, workshops, resources, and events. First-Generation students at The University of Texas at Austin are able to opt-in to any of the following whole-person developmental services provided by First-Gen Equity, free of charge:
-Academic Coaching
-Free STEM Tutoring and Free Printing
-Transition & Success Coaching (mentorship program)
-Monthly First-Gen Social Connection, Future-Planning & Skill-building Events
-Accessing our Computers and Physical Space & Study Lounge in SSB 3.200
-Engaging with our Social Media Accounts and Canvas Page
-Subscribing to our First-Gen Weekly Navigator Newsletter
-Receiving Referrals to other Programs in the Longhorn Center for Academic Equity or Across Campus
-Participating in First-Gen Longhorn Signature Events Each Year

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has a hybrid format.

PROGRAM SCALE: Medium-scale (reaches between 10 and 25 percent of its target population)

APPROXIMATE PARTICIPANTS SERVED IN 2021-22: 697 routinely (year one this year)

HOW TO ENROLL: Participants must apply to enroll in this program

WEBSITE TO APPLY: https://diversity.utexas.edu/academic-equity/first-gen-equity/

EVALUATION STATUS: No data related to outcomes have been collected from this program

DEPARTMENT(S) OVERSEEING PROGRAM: Division of Diversity and Community Engagement's Longhorn Center for Academic Equity

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Michelle Shanks at michelle.shanks@austin.utexas.edu or 5126591587

The First-Gen Advisory Board collaborates to support first-gen students with programing and mentoring. The board members also provide feedback on first-gen initiatives. All colleges are represented by an advisory board member. The majority of advisory board members are first-gen.

During its first year in existence, the board provided first-gen students with the following:
- All colleges hosted a celebration during National First-Gen Week for its first-gen students that enabled students, faculty, and staff to engage in events that created a culture of awareness and understanding of the first-gen college student experience.
- Planned and executed the inaugural First-Gen to Grad School event. Board members supported with a first-gen panel and round-table events led by first-gen staff and faculty.
- Provided feedback on the First-Gen Center framework (mission, priorities, and vision), glide path for the next 3 years, and first-gen programming.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has both online and in-person components.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its intended target population)

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: Support 53% of students at SHSU who are first-generation.
2021 prior to the establishment of the Advisory Board
- 2 events hosted by SHSU (TRiO and COE).
2022 after the establishment of the Advisory Board
- 14 events hosted by SHSU to include all colleges celebrating its FG students.
- 678 FG students participated in National FG week.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Joe Contreras at jxc200@shsu.edu or 9362943003

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) established its First-Generation Center (FGC) on June 6, 2022, as 53% of its students are first-generation students. An SHSU student is considered first-generation if neither parent nor guardian earned a bachelor’s degree in the United States. The SHSU FGC is dedicated to helping first-generation students and their families navigate their university experience.

The FGC operates on the following PRIORITIES, nested under the SHSU priorities of its strategic plan:
- Connect and engage the first-gen population to university resources and services.
- Enhance an inclusive environment that promotes a sense of belonging and empowers first-gen students to succeed (Proud to be First-Generation).
- Advance a culture of engagement and perseverance through first-gen programming.
- Known for its commitment to first-gen student success in the State of Texas.
- Identify, develop, and strengthen relationships with first-gen alumni, community group/organizations and other entities with a large first-gen focus to support first-gen students.

First-Generation students gain a community, have a transformative experience, and complete a bachelor’s degree.

DELIVERY FORMAT: The program has both online and in-person components.

PROGRAM SCALE: Large-scale (reaches more than 25 percent of its target population).

PROGRAM OUTCOMES: SHSU was recognized nationally (First-Scholars Network) for its commitment to first-generation student success during the FGC’s first year in existence, by the Center for First-generation Student Success (NASPA). To be selected as a First Scholars Network member, SHSU displayed a demonstrated commitment to improving experiences and advancing success for first-generation students.

- 1,165 one-on-one mentoring appointments with professional staff
- Personally connected with 49% of first-gen freshmen (1555)
- 32 first-gen programming events

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Joe Contreras at jxc200@shsu.edu or 9362943003