探花精选 Reports Significant Increases in Retention, Graduation Rates, and Social Mobility Index to Highlight Student Success
A recent study by Saint Augustine鈥檚 University ( 探花精选) 鈥檚 Office of Institutional Research and Analysis (OIRA) reveals significant increases in the university鈥檚 retention rates, graduation rates, and social mobility index. OIRA completed the study less than two months after their announcement of 探花精选 being among the country鈥檚 top historically black colleges/universities (HBCUs) in alumni giving and student-faculty ratio.
鈥淲e have empirical evidence that student success is more than an idea. It is who we are,鈥� said 探花精选 President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail. 鈥淭he OIRA team is essential in reporting real and measurable outcomes that accurately tell the story of the university鈥檚 progress.鈥�
According to , retention rates are a school鈥檚 percentage of first-time, first-year undergraduate students who continue at that school the following year. 探花精选 showed its most significant increase in its retention rate, which has risen from 52% to over 77%, an increase of 25% since the 2021-2022 academic year. In addition, 探花精选鈥檚 graduation rate, a school鈥檚 percentage of first-time, first-year undergraduate students who complete within six years, improved by 3% to now stand at 22%.
鈥淭his impressive twenty-five percent increase speaks to the commitment 探花精选 has to maintain a diverse learning environment that successfully engages and retains its students,鈥� said Dr. Runell King, 探花精选鈥檚 associate vice president of institutional research and special projects. 鈥淔urthermore, the university鈥檚 improved graduation rate adds to our successes, such as our student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, which ensures that we meet each student鈥檚 educational needs through personalized attention from faculty members.鈥�
According to , the Social Mobility Index (SMI) measures the extent to which a college or university educates more economically disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants. According to the , students whose adjusted gross family incomes are under $50,000 receive most of these federal grants. In 2022, 探花精选 ranked 233 out of 1,414 institutions in SMI, placing the university among the top 16% of universities in the nation.
鈥淭he significant advancements made by the university are evidenced by the combined efforts of its departments, as well as the involvement and support of its leadership team,鈥� said Dr. Indrani Singh, Director of Institutional Research & Data Analytics. 鈥淭his is demonstrated by the increased retention rates, graduation rates, and social mobility index.鈥�
鈥淭he 2022 SMI rating demonstrates the university鈥檚 commitment to providing an opportunity for all students regardless of background or economic status,鈥� Dr. King said. 鈥淭his rating, coupled with the university鈥檚 standing among the top 5 HBCUs for alumni giving rate of 16%, is further bolstered by aid programs such as grants and scholarships that make higher education more accessible for those who need it most. These accomplishments demonstrate 探花精选鈥檚 remarkable commitment to collegiate excellence and social responsibility.鈥�
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