FOCUS

on improving our retention and 4-year graduation rate

• Entire division of Student Success & Enrollment Management (SSEM) was created in 2018 between March 1 and July 1 to focus on improving FGCU's retention and graduation rate. It resulted in a widespread campus reorganization.

• A comprehensive, 4-year graduation rate improvement plan was created and approved by the Board of Trustees in September 2018.

• Numerous initiatives and programs, along with organizational changes, have been implemented since March 2018.

• Student Success Council formed in February 2020.

OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS on improving our retention and 4-year graduation rate

• Major accomplishments to increase retention:

• Created Enrollment Management Council (2018) and Student Success Council (2019)

• Created First-Year Experience & Retention Department (July 2018)

• Implemented new first-year program for the past 3 years – Eagles in 22, 23, 24

• Implemented SLS 1101 courses to decrease DFWs in biology and algebra (fall 2018)

• Launched Soar 4 Success pilot program to minimize DFW rates in at-risk freshmen (fall 2019) and resumed program in fall 2022

• Created First-Year Experience Task Force, leading to the creation of Eagles Read Program (fall 2020) and new Living Learning Communities

OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS on improving our retention and 4-year graduation rate

• Created new Academic Advising model (July 2018) with addition of Student Success Counselors in 2021 and new promotion and evaluation document for in-unit academic advisors (fall 2022)

• Expanded pre-semester immersion programs and summer boot camps (summer 2022)

• Created Eagle Success program to help decrease the number of students on academic warning and academic probation (fall 2019)

• Worked collaboratively with the College of Arts & Sciences and the Office of Scholarly Innovation and Student Research since fall 2018 to expand support for Learning Assistants to help decrease DFWs in lower-level, gateway courses (Biology, English, Math)

OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS on improving our retention and 4-year graduation rate

• Significantly increased the awareness and use of Eagle Link to track student engagement at student events since 2018

• Established 14 course coordinators in high DFW courses, creating consistency for the structure and function of multiple sections of each course (spring 2022)

• Shared the resources available in Center for Academic Achievement in Canvas for all new incoming FTIC students (2022)

• Implemented online tutoring platform to decrease DFWs in most challenging first-year courses

OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS on improving our retention and 4-year graduation rate

• Major accomplishments to increase graduation rates:

• Use descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive data analytics in creating intervention strategies to increase persistence and timely graduation (March 2018)

• Implemented specific cross-divisional college/school data analytics teams to increase Academic Progress Rate, 4-year graduation rates, 6-year graduation rate (Pell), and 3-year Florida College System AA transfer grad rates (fall 2022)

• Initiated intentional academic advising to ensure students graduate in 4 years (July 2018)

• Ensure students complete and document service-learning hours (spring 2019)

OBJECTIVE 1: FOCUS on improving our retention and 4-year graduation rate

• Expanded summer term to help fourth-year students graduate (20182021)

• Records & Registration ensuring students are completing graduation applications in a timely manner (fall 2018) and graduation applications automatically roll over to the next term (fall 2020)

• Honors College enrollment increased significantly over past 3 years, along with the number of dual-enrolled students

• Revising current Soar in 4 program to emphasize an incentivized approach to retention and timely graduation (January 2020 – present)

• Created an office that focuses on retention and graduation efforts (fall 2019); finalizing university-wide communication plan to help students track and progress timely through degree (fall 2022)