History of the Student Success Initiatives

The Student Success Initiatives (SSI) were first conceived in 2007 when CSU first made a concerted effort to track and improve overall retention rates. Since then, the effort has matured into a campuswide ethos focused on creating equitable educational environments — in and outside of classrooms — resulting in improved retention and graduation rates and closing opportunity gaps. Every college and division at CSU is involved with student success work, with support and coordination stemming centrally from the Office of the Provost and the Division of Student Affairs.

A Foundation for Success

Under then-Provost Tony Frank, the first set of SSI goals were audacious. By the time the class of 2017 received their degrees, CSU would:

  • Increase our six-year graduation rate from just above 60% to at least 70%, and
  • Eliminate the gap between six-year graduation rates of minority and non-minority students, adjusted for entering background characteristics.

The original SSI cohort’s research, led by Paul Thayer, then-assistant vice president for student affairs and now associate vice president emeritus for student success, resulted in the creation of a 2006 white paper titled, “A Plan for Excellence: Enhancing Undergraduate Education and Student Success,” from which two prominent initiatives emerged:

  1. The creation of The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) and the Center for Advising and Student Achievement (now University Academic Advising and Advocacy). TILT aimed to transform teaching methods and expand learning resources for students, and the Center for Advising and Student Achievement focused specialized staff time and attention on the needs of first-year, undeclared, transfer, first-generation, and other traditionally underserved students.
  2. SSI partnered with colleges to create an Academic Success Coordinator and Academic Advisor Network of now 70+ staff members to serve as advisors focused on holistic advising, data-informed practice, and facilitating student belongingness.

Ambitious New Intitiatives

In 2011, CSU’s new goal became an 80% six-year graduation rate. 

Thayer again coordinated a core team, who created a report of recommendations titled, “Access to Excellence: Eliminating Graduation Gaps at Colorado State University.” This white paper laid the ground work for today’s Student Success Initiatives, currently led by Assistant Vice President for Student Success Ryan Barone.