SC State receives $250K National Institute for Student Success grant
The award is intended to improve enrollment, retention and graduation outcomes.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University (SC State) has been awarded $250,000 in grant funding from the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) to enhance student success and improve enrollment, retention, and graduation outcomes.
NISS is a nationally recognized organization that assists educational institutions in identifying unintentional barriers that hinder student achievement. Through the use of data analytics, NISS helps institutions understand these challenges and develop evidence-based corrective actions to foster student success.
“We want every student to thrive at SC State University and graduate prepared to transition from academic success to career success,” said Dr. Frederick Evans, provost and vice president for academic affairs at SC State. “Our commitment to elevating excellence in our students drives us to pursue initiatives like this.
“Securing this grant allows us to assess, identify, and create bridges that ensure our students receive the support they need to succeed,” Evans said.
The grant funding will provide critical resources to strengthen SC State’s First-Year Experience and Student Success Center operations, ensuring that students receive tailored guidance and support throughout their academic journey. The funding will also enhance summer bridge programs designed to prepare incoming students for college-level work and campus life, giving them a solid foundation for long-term success.
The NISS diagnostic team worked with Dr. David Staten, associate provost for academic affairs, Tyron Clinton, executive director of the Student Success Center, and Cartina Glover, student services manager. The NISS leadership team identified four institutional barriers that impede student success and facilitated the development of corrective actions to address these challenges.
Through the NISS application and diagnostic process, four critical areas to improve student success were identified:
- Standardizing academic advising: Establishing consistent systems, protocols, training, and best practices for success coaches and faculty advisors to ensure students receive uniform, proactive support across all academic departments and advising units.
- Leveraging real-time data for proactive decision-making: Utilizing real-time academic outcome data to guide institutional strategies, allowing for proactive, data-informed decisions that support student success through the routine sharing of vetted, actionable data.
- Strengthening financial support for students: Enhancing the use of financial data and fostering collaboration across university units to ensure proactive and timely outreach to students regarding financial resources and support.
- Creating structured pathways for student success: Developing structured pathways—including summer bridge programs, meta-majors, and co-curricular freshman learning communities—to guide students through their first year and beyond.
The NISS grant represents SC State’s ongoing dedication to equipping students with the tools and resources necessary for academic success and career readiness. By addressing these four areas, SC State aims to cultivate a supportive environment where all students can continue to thrive and excel.