Success for Every Student in action
By Mitch Zak, University Communications
The university's commitment to student success reaches to Arizona high schools through the BIO5 Institute's KEYS Research Internship, where students have an opportunity for valuable laboratory experience.
Success for Every Student takes many forms across the University of Arizona. In some areas, it means connecting students with the support services and community they need to thrive. In others, it is about creating opportunities for research, leadership development, global engagement and career preparation. While the approaches to this strategic imperative vary, the goal is consistent: faculty and staff across the university are taking an active role in shaping student success.
Building a foundation for success
Student success begins by connecting students with the support and resources they need to navigate college and feel a sense of belonging on campus.
Amanda Kraus
Through Housing and Residential Life, Campus Health, Campus Recreation, the Disability Resource Center, the Dean of Students Office and other programs, Student Affairs helps students build community, overcome challenges and stay on track toward graduation.
“Whether it's finding community, accessing support services or overcoming challenges, we want every student to know they belong here and have the resources they need to achieve their goals,” said Amanda Kraus, vice president for Student Affairs.
Resources such as the Student Success District and Bear Down Building bring academic, wellness and support services together in one place, making it easier for students to access assistance throughout their college experience.
Colleges are also finding additional ways to support students through proactive outreach.
Lori Poloni-Staudinger
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is encouraging greater use of Trellis Progress, a university-wide platform that helps faculty coordinate student outreach and identify opportunities for early intervention.
"Trellis Progress gives faculty another way to connect with students, whether that's recognizing a success, encouraging continued progress or reaching out when additional support may be needed," said Lori Poloni-Staudinger, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. "Those interactions help students feel seen, valued and connected to a community that is invested in their success."
Faculty who use the platform are entered into regular drawings, with winners receiving a donation made in their name to the Campus Pantry. Those donations support a resource that helps students facing food insecurity remain focused on their academic goals.
Challenging students to reach higher
John Pollard
Student success also means creating opportunities for students to explore their potential and pursue ambitious goals.
The W.A. Franke Honors College complements students’ academic majors through interdisciplinary coursework, undergraduate research, faculty mentorship and experiential learning opportunities designed to encourage intellectual curiosity and personal growth.
“Our goal is not simply to help students earn a degree, but to help them discover what they’re capable of achieving,” said John Pollard, dean of the W.A. Franke Honors College. “When students are challenged academically, supported by mentors and encouraged to pursue opportunities beyond the classroom, they develop the knowledge, confidence and perspective to make a difference in the world.”
Learning through discovery
Across colleges and disciplines, undergraduate research, internships and hands-on learning opportunities help students connect classroom learning with real-world experience – another hallmark of the Arizona student experience.
Carlos Vargas
Students involved with Aspera, a University of Arizona-led NASA mission studying galaxy evolution through ultraviolet observations, help design, build and operate a satellite mission while gaining experience rarely available at the university level.
“For the more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students working on Aspera, the U of A is the only university where they can gain this level of hands-on experience and access with a NASA spaceflight mission,” said Carlos Vargas, principal investigator for Aspera. “Our students graduate with a portfolio of accomplishments that positions them for extraordinary careers and future discoveries.”
The spirit of discovery extends beyond campus as well. Through the BIO5 Institute’s KEYS Research Internship, Arizona high school students work alongside university researchers, giving future Wildcats laboratory experience while exploring educational and career pathways.
Broadening perspectives
Alain-Philippe (A-P) Durand
For many students, success includes opportunities to engage with new cultures, ideas and experiences.
Recent gifts, including a $20 million commitment from the Garcia Family Foundation and $1 million from alumni Steve and Margot Kerr, are expanding access to study abroad opportunities, allowing more students to gain international experience while staying on track toward graduation. Students can participate in programs ranging from short-term faculty-led experiences to semester- and year-long opportunities in more than 30 countries.
“Study abroad challenges students to see the world through new perspectives while strengthening their understanding of themselves and their place within a global community,” said Alain-Philippe Durand, Dorrance Dean of the College of Humanities. “Language immersion programs are especially impactful for students’ educational growth.”
Preparing for what comes next
Preparing students for life after graduation is another important part of the university experience.
Desireé Reed-Francois
Arizona Athletics integrates academic support, leadership development, career preparation and wellness into the student-athlete experience. R. Ken Coit Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois often refers to making the most of "the 50," which she describes as the years of opportunity and impact that await student-athletes after graduation.
Arizona student-athletes achieved a record 3.413 GPA across sports and the highest graduation success rate in university history at 92%.
“We are committed to developing graduates who are prepared to lead, serve and succeed in competition and life beyond,” said Reed-Francois.
Together, these efforts are a small sample of the many ways that faculty and staff in colleges, departments and programs across the university are supporting student success. Whether through academic support, research opportunities, global experiences or career preparation, the work is helping students learn, grow and achieve their goals.