APSU part of model for developing student success
Washington, D.C. 鈥 The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) was
recently awarded a $2.5 million, two-year grant to accelerate transformation and increase
student success outcomes across AASCU鈥檚 membership network of nearly 400 public colleges,
universities and systems. AASCU is one of only 12 organizations to receive the grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
This award comes in support of AASCU鈥檚 emerging student success strategy, which five
AASCU institutions are helping to refine and validate for wider use. These institutions
鈥 which vary in size, urbanicity and student diversity 鈥 include Austin Peay State
University (Tenn.); Bowie State University (Md.); California State University, San
Bernardino; Lehman College of The City University of New York; and Northwest Missouri
State University.
鈥淎ASCU has consistently embraced the transformational power of our state colleges
and universities,鈥 said AASCU President Dr. Mildred Garc铆a. 鈥淎ligned with our new and by harnessing our members鈥 collective knowledge, this opportunity will support
AASCU鈥檚 commitment to effectively address the needs of our diverse student populations,
particularly low-income, first-generation, students of color, and/or working adults.鈥
With the grant, AASCU will focus on four key goals: increasing awareness of successful and promising transformation strategies among campus leaders and communities; informing key campus-level decisions about change options and strategies and supporting decision-makers; supporting transformation by providing guidance and resources for adopting and adapting, implementing, evaluating
and sustaining changes in policy and practice; and building connections across colleges and universities and other supporting organizations to accelerate
and streamline learning and sharing of promising practices.
鈥淣ot all postsecondary institutions have the resources to begin the structured transformation
process necessary to narrow achievement gaps for current and future generations of
students,鈥 Garc铆a added. 鈥淥ur institutions are transforming students and their families
and graduating engaged citizens for our global democratic society. We are honored
to have been selected to participate in this important work.鈥
The (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association of nearly 400 public colleges, universities and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underserved student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions鈥 economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions Delivering America鈥檚 Promise of Opportunities for All.
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