Project Summaries

America’s private colleges and universities are committed to making the United States first again in college completion by 2020. To date, we have posted 647 program summaries from 274 institutions. These institutions represent 41 states and the District of Columbia. You can browse projects by state, institution, or a variety of topic areas, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Adults and Nontraditional Student Programs
• All Racial/Ethnic Minorities
• Community College Partnerships
• Developmental Support Initiatives
• Federal Programs
• Gender targeted
• Hispanic/Latino-specific programs
• Honors Program
• K-12/ College Preparation Programs
• Learning Communities
• Low-Income Student Programs
• Physical/Social/Psychological Support
• POSSE
• State Programs
• STEM programs
• Unique/Specialized/Mission-specific programs

Retention of First-time Students Alverno College (WI) Toward a goal of increasing its overall retention rate, Alverno College seeks to increase retention of first-time, full-time students. The initiative includes a more defined early alert system, a one-credit time management class, and directed conversations with at-risk populations. The new initiative is set to launch in fall 2010.

Increased Financial Aid for Pell Grant-eligible Students American University (DC) American University has committed substantial new resources to meet the full demonstrated need of all students who are eligible for Pell grants, making AU more affordable for low-income families. In 2009, the university committed $3 million in new funds and, as a result, saw a 43 percent increase in Pell-eligible freshmen accepting admission offers. The university continued this strategy in 2010 and saw an additional increase of six percent over 2009.

Strategies for College Success Asbury College (KY) The Strategies for College Success program at Asbury College provides academic strategies and assistance for incoming students with low grades and standardized test scores. Assistance is provided throughout a student's college career. The school offers tutoring, help with writing, a study skills workshop, cultural programs, and assistance for students with learning disabilities. Academic and personal counseling are also offered.

College Readiness/Retention Programs Associated Colleges of Illinois (IL) The Associated Colleges of Illinois, an association of 23 small, private campuses, operates the College Readiness Program, which helps underserved students complete high school and map the road to college. The association also offers the College Success Network, providing underserved students with the academic and financial support they need to succeed in college.

Persistence Program for Students with Disabilities Austin College (TX) Austin College offers an initiative to help students with medical, learning, and psychological disabilities persist in their pursuit of an education. Students are self-identified prior to matriculation and contacted during the summer by an appropriate professional staff member. A plan is developed to ensure continuity of care and greater success during the student's first semester on campus.

Freshman Success Seminar Averett University (VA) The Freshman Success Seminar at Averett University assists freshman and transfer students who have earned less than 18 hours of college credit. Two classes are mandatory in the first year: a discussion class with faculty and an upperclass student, and a class to improve reading skills. The program allows the associate dean of student success to help students in need to develop a personal academic plan.

Access, Retention, and Success Programs Avila University (MO) Avila University helps students succeed academically and stay on track to graduation through first-year seminars; trained study skills tutors; undergraduate research opportunities; and interdisciplinary studies courses for juniors and seniors that blend two disciplines, often include a study abroad component and a service component. In addition, Avila, in partnership with the local Rotary, offers a full scholarship to two incoming first-generation, low-income students who plan to pursue nursing careers.

Student Success Azusa Pacific University (CA) The Student Success program at Azusa Pacific University offers counseling, mentoring, workshops, remedial programs, tutoring, and cultural programs. While targeted toward at-risk students, all students can participate. The university uses a predictive model to determine those students most at risk of leaving the institution, and then targets resources to assist those students with academic, emotional, or social needs to help ensure that they persist and succeed at the institution.

Enrico Scholars Program Babson College (MA) The Enrico Scholars Program at Babson College was established to provide full-tuition, need-based scholarships for economically disadvantaged students from the inner city of Dallas, Texas. The Roger and Rosemary Enrico Dallas Scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement, community involvement, leadership potential, and financial need. The program includes a grant to improve the ability of students to commute between campus and home.

Minority Access to Research Careers Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (MARC U*STAR) Barry University (FL) MARC U*STAR awards support undergraduate students who are underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. The program is intended to improve their preparation for high-caliber graduate training at the Ph.D. level. Participants conduct research with faculty, complete research internships, publish findings in scientific journals, present research at national scientific meetings, and can take an intensive course in scientific writing. The program also prepares them for graduate school, and for taking the GRE.