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Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵis one of the nation’s most diverse public research universities, and we believe in student success for everyone. In recent years, we’ve achieved the nation’s fastest jump in graduation rates without any equity gaps based on race, ethnicity, income or first-generation status — and we’re very proud of that. This accomplishment recently was recognized by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), as Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵwas named one of three finalists in the nation for its prestigious Degree Completion Award.

The APLU established the Degree Completion Award to recognize public universities that are increasing degree completion rates and total numbers of degrees awarded, while improving educational access, quality and equity. Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵmore than doubled its four-year graduation rate from 19.3 percent in 2014 to 47.5 percent in 2020. The 28-percentage point increase of the four-year graduation rate is the highest increase over the last six years by any public institution. In the last year alone, the four-year rate jumped 10 percentage points.

To improve student success, the university set clearly defined goals to break down organizational barriers, so all students could earn their degrees in a timely manner. As a result, Â鶹¾«Æ·ÊÓƵincreased the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded annually by more than 950 students.

I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished in just the last few years. When I became president, the graduation rate was one of the most daunting challenges I faced. I’ve worked every day since then to instill a sense of urgency, and we achieved much, especially with historically underserved students. I commend our provost and vice president for academic affairs, Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D. and his staff, as well as our faculty members and professional staff for helping to change the lives of so many of our students.