Inspire and be inspired. That has been our hope for readers of University Business’ Models of Excellence program over the past three years.
We believe the student success initiatives selected for an award will motivate other campus leaders as they shape their own initiatives. Even honorees can add elements to their programs when they learn what’s happening elsewhere.
We created Models of Excellence in 2015, as the definition of student success took on new meaning.
Link to story: Read about the initiatives of the 2017 Models of Excellence honorees
The traditional focus on academic outcomes and graduation rates remained, but campus leaders also began to prioritize adjustment to college life, campus engagement, financial literacy, career prep and life skills.
And with an ever-growing list of campus offices involved in student success initiatives, we realized how crucial cross-departmental collaboration is in success programs.
In all, 64 student success programs have achieved Models of Excellence status.
Among the six institutions closing out our program is a community college responding to local workforce needs, a training program for minority teachers, a flexible course delivery model, and a program that improves access and outcomes for young single parents.
Learn more about these stories and others—and make a pledge to never stop innovating when it comes to student success on your campus.
Melissa Ezarik, managing editor, UB.
