The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) has awarded a $1.2 million
grant to 澳门老奇人论坛 to establish a program designed to increase retention
and graduation rates of Pell Grant-eligible and low-income undergraduate students
at the university.
The goal of the four-year grant is to increase retention by 5% and six-year graduation
rates for this population by the end of the 2027-28 academic year. To help carry out
the program, Radford will use the grant funds to hire four student success advocates
(SSAs).
Working within Radford鈥檚 Dean of Students office, advocates will be assigned to work
with all of Radford鈥檚 Pell-eligible students and provide them with programming, advocacy,
interventions and resources to promote their efforts to remain enrolled at the university
through graduation.
To do so, advocates will provide comprehensive support systems that assure academic
success, student well-being, a sense of belonging and career preparedness.
Currently, about 37% of Radford undergraduate students are eligible for the Pell Grant.
鈥淏y receiving this exceptional SCHEV grant, Radford has a unique opportunity to positively
impact our Pell-eligible student population,鈥� said interim Associate Vice President
for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Bruce Hayden 鈥�93, M.S. 鈥�95. 鈥淲e are strategically
positioned to provide student success advocates as dedicated resources and advocates
for these students. The SSAs will help navigate pathways and connect students to resources
they may not be aware of. I firmly believe that the touchpoints between SSAs and their
students will significantly contribute to achieving their graduation goals.鈥�
Employing student success advocates supports Radford鈥檚 ongoing commitment to address
the overall representation and success of low-income and Pell-eligible undergraduate
students at the university. The program aligns with the Virginia Plan, the commonwealth鈥檚
higher education strategic plan, by addressing university enrollment, retention and
completion for Pell-eligible, low-income undergraduate students.
SCHEV is the Commonwealth of Virginia鈥檚 coordinating body for higher education.