AASCU Washington Policy Update – February 2025
Hear about notable activities on Capitol Hill.
Academic Planning for Equitable Student Success
An initiative designed to elevate the importance of the course schedule and leverage it to improve student outcomes in higher education.
Contact us to learn more.Removing barriers to student success.
One of the most essential elements to a student’s academic success is getting the courses they need to complete their degree. Yet, research indicates that at most institutions, the course schedule has become a structural barrier to success.
AASCU received funding from The Ascendium Education Group to improve course scheduling and ensure that access to courses required for degree completion is not a barrier to success, especially for low-income students and students of color.
Created in partnership with Ad Astra, the project included: two convenings, monthly webinars, benchmarking with technical assistance, data coaching, and change management consulting for eleven institutions. These structured engagements supported institutional capacity for data-informed course scheduling and improved scheduling policies and practices.
Participants
- After an initial application process, 11 institutions from AASCU’s SSEI Initiative were selected to participate. The following map identifies the states represented by participating institutions and the number of participants in that state.
Guam
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
Outcomes
Through this work, institutions have identified actionable strategies to:
- Improve degree velocity
- Close equity gaps
- Improve course scheduling policies and practices
- Align academic resources with student needs and academic pathways
Program Impact
Increase in momentum
For students starting in Fall 2023, there was an 8% increase in the overall momentum year rate, with rates for Native American, Black/African-American, Hispanic, and Native Hawaiians having an average increase of between 7% and 13%.
Increase in degree velocity
The average annual productive credits increased by 1% for students starting in Fall 2023 as opposed to students beginning in Fall 2022.
Texas A&M University
Had an increase of students taking 15+ credits per semester from 23% in fall 2023 to 45% in fall 2024.
Western Kentucky University
Had 25% improvement in the Overloaded Course Ratio, specifically in first-year (100-level) courses, between fall 2023 and fall 2024.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
From fall 2023 to fall 2024, classroom utilization increased by 5%, while Primetime Compression decreased by 11%; in Fall 2024 Off-Grid Waste decreased over two percentage points compared to Fall 2023.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
From fall 2023 to fall 2024, overall primetime utilization increased in classrooms while off-grid meeting pattern utilization decreased by 10% and off-grid waste decreased by three percentage points.
“Helping our member institutions reengineer their course scheduling policies and practices to put students at the center is a critical component of AASCU’s strategy to scale student success. The course schedule is the engine of degree completion. You simply cannot drive better outcomes without a course schedule designed with student success in mind.”
Resource
Course Scheduling Playbook
The playbook, created as a result of this initiative, is a guide for any institution interested in levering their course schedule as a strategy for improving student success. It introduces project phases designed to drive innovation and momentum, project management strategies, and relevant metrics, to support the teams empowered to do this work.
Supported by:
In partnership with:
Questions about Academic Planning for Equitable Student Success? Let us know.
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Course Scheduling Playbook
A guide for any institution interested in levering their course schedule as a strategy for improving student success.
Leading for Democracy
A call to action for leaders and institutions to foster civic learning and democratic engagement.
Building Bridges: Uplifting Communities Through Collaboration
Hear a portion of the opening plenary of the AASCU 2024 Annual Conference.
2025 Public Policy Agenda
Highlights AASCU’s policy priorities for the coming year.
Imagine the Possible: Sharing Our Stories for Learning and Leading
A symposium for presidents, chancellors, & thought leaders representing industry & philanthropy.
American Democracy Project Past Programs
Explore past initiatives that support a well-rounded education rooted in local and global community.
A series of voter education and engagement workshops for member campuses.
Opportunities to expand our community and to increase civic awareness and work on campuses.
Explore the history, outcomes, and impact of these ADP programs.
Find tools to support students in the Up to Us Case Competition.
Access resources to promote civil discourse within classrooms and across campus.
Join a cohort of campus leaders committed to operationalizing civic and community engagement.
Generation 250 Scholarship Program:
A Transatlantic Educational Opportunity
Support the strengthening of Franco-American relations through education exchanges.
Apply now.
Be a part of a historic transatlantic mobility program.
U.S. President Joseph R. Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the Generation 250 Scholarship Program in December 2022 to commemorate the historic friendship between the United States and France, marking 250 years since France’s role in founding the U.S.
The program will award 250 scholarships to place 250 French students at American universities starting in fall 2026. The goal is to foster academic and cultural exchange and empower the next generation of global leaders.
Host French students on your campus
Students participating in this program will receive scholarships through the U.S. Embassy in France. These scholarships will cover the costs associated with studying at U.S. institutions for one semester, allowing students to benefit from the rich academic and cultural experiences available across AASCU member campuses.
AASCU is proud to partner with the U.S. Embassy in France and Mission Interuniversitaire de Coordination des Echanges Franco-Américains (MICEFA) to provide French students with access to its extensive network of U.S. campuses.
AASCU member institutions have a strong commitment to internationalization and student support and are ideal candidates for participating in the Generation 250 program. Our institutions provide the ideal environment for students to thrive, offering programs that combine academic excellence with meaningful cultural immersion.
Who should participate?
AASCU institutions with:
- Strong Support Services: Campuses with dedicated services to ensure international students succeed both academically and personally
- Innovative Pathway Programs: Campuses that offer bridge programs designed to help international students seamlessly integrate into U.S. academic life
- Affordable Tuition: Institutions that provide innovative and affordable financial options for students seeking high-quality education in the U.S.
How will you benefit?
- Enhance Internationalization Efforts: Host French students and assist your campus to deepen its commitment to global engagement
- Strengthen International Partnerships: Build lasting relationships with French educational institutions, opening doors for future collaborations and exchange programs
- Cultural Exchange Opportunities: Provide your students and faculty with opportunities to engage in meaningful cultural exchanges
- Contribute to Global Leadership Development: Shape the future generation of transatlantic leaders
- International Recognition: Align your institution with a prestigious program endorsed by both the U.S. and French governments
Program highlights
250 scholarships: The Generation 250 scholarship covers tuition, fees, round-trip airfare, room and board, and other expenses the 250 French students may incur during their semester. No financial participation is expected from U.S. institutions.
Cultural and academic exchange: The program includes a combination of academic study and cultural exchange activities designed to deepen mutual understanding between France and the U.S.
All communities: The program is designed to be inclusive, providing students from all backgrounds the opportunity to experience life and education in the United States.
Apply now to participate in Generation 250.
Step two:
Schedule a 1:1 information session.
Contact:
Sophie Eustache
Partnerships Manager
MICEFA
Mobile: +33 (0)6 95 25 87 22
Generation 250 Partners
Questions about Generation 250? Let us know.
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2024 International Education Week
An opportunity to highlight and celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange.
