Student Success

State colleges and universities relentlessly pursue improved outcomes for all students. AASCU turns these institutions’ successes and struggles into solutions that make better possible—for each and every student.

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Graduation at San Deigo State University.
San Diego State University

Ways to Get Involved

Programs

Take action alongside committed peers to improve student outcomes.

Research & Events

Find timely insights from the AASCU community.

Committees & Awards

Share insights and celebrate your peers’ contributions.

Policy & Advocacy

Advance policy priorities critical to student success.

Current Programs

 

The structure, tools, and community AASCU members need to advance timely interventions tailored to their students.

A multi-year cohort of institutions striving to accelerate student success.

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Learn tactical ways to lead institutional transformation for student success.

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Adapt and evolve to meet the unique needs of current and future students.

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IMPACT

 

Innovative Institutions

$9.8M

in direct grant support for 77 AASCU member campuses to support student success

50+

institutions and 1M+ students students served by AASCU’s student success programs

150+

leaders equipped to drive student success in 2024

Transformed Futures

$2,300 less

The average tuition and fees at regional public universities is ~$2,300 less than that of other public four-year institutions.

66%

of public, four-year bachelor’s degrees are awarded by regional public universities.

79%

of all degrees earned at public four-year institutions are awarded by regional public universities (data from 2023)

UMES students on campus.

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Communication Framework & Policy Revisions Drive Student Retention

UMES increased the number of touchpoints with students during the Fall 2024 semester which led to a 90% persistence rate for the Spring 2025 semester. In Spring 2024, UMES updated its academic dismissal policy to better support student success. Instead of penalizing students who were making real academic progress, the new approach gave them the chance to stay on track academically and reduce barriers to enrollment. As a result, dismissals dropped sharply from 191 (Spring 2023) to just 9 in Spring 2024 (95.29% reduction), showing that when we recognize effort and improvement, our students benefit.

AASCU’S ROLE
  • Guided campus teams through a continuous improvement process focused on student success, helping strengthen internal communications.
  • Sourced and supported the revision of nine institutional policies to remove barriers and improve student outcomes.
  • Provided tools to translate data into actionable items tied to student success.
Impact

90%

Fall to Spring persistence rate

95.29%

Reduction in student dismissals

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Smarter Scheduling, Stronger Pathways to Student Success

Texas A&M–San Antonio used data, staff, and faculty collaboration to reduce scheduling barriers, boost credit attainment, and get more students on track to graduate faster.

AASCU’S ROLE

In partnership with Ad Astra, AASCU:

  • Coached campus teams to use data to show students could succeed with 15-credit course loads.
  • Empowered advisers to proactively guide students to academic supports when scheduled in historically challenging course combinations.
  • Equipped leaders with tools to build campuswide buy-in for smarter, student-centered scheduling practices.
Impact

94%

of course combinations had a reduced DFW rate

135%

increase in first-time students enrolled in at least 15 credit hours / semester from fall 2023 to fall 2024.

Classroom activity at Northern Arizona University.

Northern Arizona University

Building Seamless Local Pathways to Bachelor’s Degrees

Northern Arizona University and Arizona Western College co-designed transfer pathways that expand access, ease transitions, and boost bachelor’s degree attainment.

AASCU’S ROLE

In partnership with ​​the Aspen College Excellence Program, AASCU:

  • Shared proven transfer playbook strategies for boosting bachelor’s completion.
  • Amplified these institutions’ collaboration as a national example of effective partnerships.
  • Supported data-driven practices for aligning advising, programs, and workforce needs.
Impact

$5M

to develop new (engineering)/existing program pathways

Events
The Role of Regional Public Universities in Addressing Teacher Shortages

Sep. 16-17, 2025

Washington, DC

Symposium

Register today.
Postsecondary Value Symposium

Sep. 23-24, 2025

Washington, DC

Symposium

Register today.

 

Featured News & Resources

Committees & Awards

Committee on Student Success

A passionate, diverse team of leaders shaping the direction of AASCU’s student success activities.

Excellence and Innovation Awards

Awards honoring institutions that demonstrate exceptional commitment to preparing all students for fulfilling futures.

Policy Agenda

AASCU’s commitment to student success extends to the policy arena, where we champion the federal and state policies that make student success possible—supporting both our members and the students they serve.

 

Tell us about the student outcomes you’re hoping for. We’ll tailor solutions that deliver.

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