Despite FAFSA challenges, positive University student retention and persistence rates were reported during the regular WVU Board of Governors meeting Friday (Sept. 20). (WVU Photo/Jennifer Shepherd)
A multi-year focus on student success at West Virginia University is showing record-breaking results.
Preliminary enrollment figures for fall 2024 are nearly on target, including positive retention and persistence rates, despite the FAFSA challenges affecting higher education, according to a report from Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed during the WVU Board of Governors regular meeting Friday (Sept. 20).
“We just learned last week that our preliminary freshmen retention rate is 83.2%, which would be our highest freshmen retention rate ever, achieving the five-year goal we set for ourselves in 2019 and putting us in line with some of our Big 12 peers,” said Reed who will begin a phased retirement from the University at the end of the month.
The University won’t have final numbers to share until they are reported to West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission in October.
Reed pointed to a new tutoring center and recent changes in advising and introductory math courses as reasons for the success, as well as scholarships and the launch of a grant program last year to provide financial support to students who need a little extra money to stay in school and cross the finish line to graduation.
Last academic year, 292 financially at-risk students across the WVU System received Maier Foundation Completion Grants of up to $1,500 a semester. Of those:
· 73% of those students graduated,
· 22% are still enrolled in classes,
· and only 5% did not receive a degree or return to campus.
“In other words, within just one year, the completion grants program showed a 95% success rate,” Reed said.
The positive momentum is also reflected in the search for the next University president.
Vice-Chair Dr. Patrice Harris, who also leads the Presidential Search Committee, shared an update on the latest phase of the search process – dozens of Listening Sessions conducted in conjunction with the University’s search partner, WittKieffer.
In-person sessions were held on WVU campuses in Morgantown, Beckley and Keyser, and an additional session was held in Charleston. Sessions engaged faculty, staff and students, as well as community members, city officials and alumni in each city. Several virtual sessions also were held for those unable to attend in person. An online survey provided another avenue for feedback. Launched July 24, the survey remained open seven weeks and closed Sept. 13. At the end of the survey, nearly 1,200 had participated.
“I want to thank everyone who took the time to participate,” Harris said. “Your input is incredibly important to the Presidential Search Committee and the Board of Governors as we develop the expectations for the position and leadership profile. We are singularly focused on attracting the top candidates for the role.”
The finalized leadership profile will be reviewed and endorsed by the Board at a special meeting in early October and then made available to the public at the presidential search website, presidentialsearch.wvu.edu. WittKieffer will begin taking applications at that time.
Friday’s meeting also featured presentations about the WVU Cancer Institute, sustainability goals for the University and the new robotics engineering major. The Office of the Provost also outlined the affirmation of accreditation process underway now.
Other Board actions included approval for updates to several ongoing capital improvement projects, plus the first phase of School of Dentistry renovations and a refresh of the WVU Basketball Practice Facility.
View the Sept. 20 BOG regular meeting agenda and meeting materials.
The next regular BOG meeting is scheduled for Nov. 22.
-WVU-
ak/9/20/24
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