Updates are provided on early-alert mechanisms, undergraduate academic advising, technology enhancements, and gateway and introductory courses. Student retention, graduation rates, and goals for year three of the five-year initiative are also shared.
In October, a copy of the year-three progress presentation was shared with the SMU community and is also available online. Questions regarding the report or presentation may be directed to smuinfour@smu.edu.
The First-Generation Initiative (FGI) at SMU is excited to announce that the University has been accepted as a member of the FirstGen Forward Network. The FirstGen Forward Network is a program, created by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), that is “bringing together higher education leaders from around the country to share data, model innovations, and scale impact to first-generation student support.” By joining this network, SMU will be able to strengthen and enhance the value of resources that support first-generation students on campus.
SMU joined FirstGen Forward Network this summer as a Class of 2024 Network Member and commenced work at the virtual Kickoff Meeting held on June 6, 2024, that welcomed new institutions to the network. The University’s status as a Network Member is the first phase in the three-phased program. To join, SMU had to complete the Readiness and Progress Audit, an evaluation tool that collected institutional data regarding ways the University supports first-generation students, a key piece of the application process. Now accepted, SMU, championed by FGI, will form goals and strategies to complete all three program phases, ensuring that first-generation Mustangs receive the most effective support possible throughout their time on the Hilltop.
FirstGen Forward Network X SMU
The first goal that FGI will focus on is enhancing first-generation student connections. Their strategy will address the goal in four areas:
Increase programmatic efforts and connection opportunities with peers, allies, faculty, campus partners, etc.
Increase attendance at FGI signature events.
Increase student contact with the FGI office through meetings with FGI staff.
Increase First-Generation Association student organization meetings and events.
Chris Meyers, director of the First-Generation Initiative at SMU mentioned that he was comforted by SMU’s acceptance into the FirstGen Forward Network because of the support FGI staff will receive from other professionals in similar positions across the country as they tackle these goals and scale support. “FGI has a lot of campus support at SMU, but this additional connection and resource will take us to the next level in the way we support our first-gen students,” said Meyers of SMU joining the network.
SMU faculty and staff can support the First-Generation Initiative with its goal to scale support for first-generation SMU students. Employees can become first-gen allies by filling out this survey on the FGI website. Keep an eye out for chances to participate in mentoring opportunities and join in the fun at FGI signature events.
The first FGI signature event, the annual “Welcome (Back) Reception,” was held on August 28, 2024, from 2 – 4 p.m. in the Varsity, Hughes-Trigg. This event invites supportive faculty and staff to enjoy refreshments with students as they make valuable connections with SMU employees, fellow students and campus resources.
Keep up with the work that SMU’s First-Generation Initiative is doing by following them on Instagram at @smu1stgen.
We’ll have great food, presentations on different topics like the benefits of coaching, a student’s perspective from our Graduate Assistant, answers to questions about how to share accommodation letters with faculty, and a demonstration for returning students on how to submit their Semester Requests.
Faculty and staff are also invited to see our physical space, ask questions about implementing accommodations, and just grab a bite to eat. All DASS staff will be available.
In addition, we need help naming our new DASS mascot. Add your suggestion on the voting board for the otter on our new “Accessibility For All” stickers.
Come see us and say hello!
Location: Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (A-LEC) Room 202R, which is located on the 2nd floor of the Loyd All-Sports Center
With the Academic year ending, the Office of Student Success and Retention would like to focus on the effectiveness of our Retention Alert and Advising Note reporting system. We would like to thank every individual advisor or faculty member who used these tools to report any retention risk.
This academic year, with the valuable assistance of advisors across campus, 231 advising notes were submitted during the fall and spring semesters, in addition to 94 retention alerts. These submissions from our campus community have played a crucial role in identifying students who are considering transferring or taking a leave of absence from SMU.
The Office of Student Success and Retention has utilized the information from both reporting systems to effectively intervene with at-risk students, demonstrating our collective efforts. SSR would like to express gratitude to the faculty and staff members who submitted advising notes and retention alerts this academic year. Through your partnership, SSR has been able to reach out to and assist students while providing them with support and connections to campus resources.
If you would like to learn more about this tool and how the Office of Student Success and Retention utilizes it to aid with retention and intervention, please contact Jay Guillory.
SASP/A-LEC held a celebration to honor our 19 graduating tutors on Monday, April 29. Cake, cookies, fruit and lots of congratulations were doled out to these students who give their time to help other students. Thank you all for a great semester!
Our second round of Mustang Champions has been announced for the Spring semester! Mustang Champions are nominated each month, by ADSA and athletics staff, for recognizing athletes that are working to perform at their highest level! Whether by improving their academic or athletic performance, embodying the S.P.I.R.I.T of SMU athletics, or student-athlete success initiatives.
Sarah Kelly (Women’s Rowing) exemplifies dedication and perseverance. Despite facing challenges, Sarah has remained focused throughout the spring semester, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to success in her academics. Her hard work is evident in her strong academic performance and grades.
Ja’Heim Hudson (Men’s Basketball) embodies a well-rounded student-athlete. Ja’Heim dedicates extra time to academics, attending study hall and diligently completing work with his counselor, even while traveling for games. His commitment shines not only in the classroom but also on the court.
Bryce McMorris (Football) has emerged as a true leader. Bryce actively participates in both the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Black Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (BSAAC). He collaborated to establish a student-athlete STEM group-fostering academic engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math. Furthermore, Bryce advocates for fellow athletes by discussing student-athlete employment opportunities and their potential benefits and drawbacks. His consistent leadership extends to bi-monthly senior staff meetings, where he represents SAAC effectively.
Layla Garcia-Moreno (Women’s Soccer) exemplifies a strong work ethic. Despite only speaking English for two years, Layla actively participates in all Life After Ball (LAB) resources this semester. She is diligently working on her resume in pursuit of an internship, demonstrating a proactive approach to her future and excellent use of her resources.
Congratulations once again to Sarah, Ja’Heim, Bryce, and Layla for being recognized as our February Mustang Champions! These student-athletes are just a few examples of the many Mustangs who are excelling both on and off the field. Remember, there’s always someone to cheer for at SMU!
Please consider sharing this with your offices and posting it within your SMU professional networks.
Director, Student Success and Retention: The Director leads the Office of Student Success and Retention (SSR). The primary role is supervising three full-time staff and providing day-to-day problem-solving for students trying to remain, depart, or return to SMU. Working closely with the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education and Academic Success and the SMU in Four initiative, the Director operationalizes processes to identify at-risk students, strategically outreaches to inspire engagement, coordinates interventions, tracks academic progress, and assesses our institutional strengths and weaknesses in these areas. Manage interventions as projects, repeating annually or each term, involving multiple offices. The Director chairs a university-wide retention and financial support committee to retrain undergraduate students. Serves as a critical partner to the Office of the Dean of Students.
Deadline: 10 days following posting
Applicant Type: Internal Only; only current SMU employees may apply
Hiring point-of-contact: Dr. Dustin Grabsch (dgrabsch@smu.edu; 214-768-4887)
Achieving success in college requires more than just good study habits. It involves the development and alignment of your academic, social, and emotional selves to become a well-rounded individual. That’s why SMU provides one-on-one success coaching for students. This free service supports students academically as well as personally. Our experienced SSR team works individually with students to identify their goals, understand any obstacles they may face, and help them achieve academic and personal growth for a more enriching college experience.
Academic Counseling vs. Success Coaching
How can I schedule a session?
Please follow the steps below to schedule an appointment with our Success Coach:
Go to our scheduling page by clicking the link provided.
Choose a convenient time slot that works best for you. You can either select a virtual or in-person meeting based on your preference.
Fill out a brief form to provide some information about your objectives and needs. This will enable our Success Coach to personalize the session to your unique requirements.
Once you have scheduled your appointment, you will receive an email confirmation with all the details about the meeting.
During your meeting with our Success Coach, you can expect a judgment-free environment, personalized guidance tailored to your goals and challenges, as well as actionable insights and strategies to overcome any obstacles you may be facing.
The Office of Student Success and Retention launched a new website on Friday, July 21. The new website unveiled expanded initiative descriptions and new online forms.
Explore our student success initiatives, empowering all Mustangs to achieve their goals. The initiatives are designed to provide holistic student support and empower students to succeed from their first day through graduation.
Plus, undergraduate students can initiate Withdrawal, Cancelation, and Leave of Absences via a new web form rather than email. This new form streamlines processes, enhances communication with campus partners, and decreases the overall process timeline. Please direct students to this new overview page which includes pre-leave considerations, details on requesting leaves, what to do while on leave, and how to return successfully to the Hilltop.
Finally, SMU employees, parents, and families have a web form to report student retention concerns. Formally known as the Student Intent to Leave Form, the rebranded form is now entitled Retention Alert.
Retention Alert allows student support personnel to attempt intervention with students at risk. Reporting faculty and staff are encouraged to continue working with the identified student. Student Success and Retention or a partner office representative will try to reach students who would benefit from academic and personal support services. The Retention Alert form will ask you to identify the reason for the alert and your recommendation(s) for follow-up.
Please direct questions, concerns, and feedback to the Office of Student Success and Retention at ssr@smu.edu.
Effective June 1, the Committee on Academic Petitions (CAP) launched a new webpage and an appeal submission form for undergraduate students.
Students must submit their appeal using the electronic form and include all supporting documentation. They will instantly receive notification that their appeal has been received. Additionally, students will receive notification from the system as the appeal is reviewed and considered.
All offices should inform students to submit their appeals via the official appeal submission form. Email submissions will no longer be considered, and students will be redirected to www.smu.edu/cap to submit their CAP appeals.
Academic Petitions are requests by a student for an exception to an academic policy. Academic policy includes any policy, rule, or regulation that applies to academic matters at SMU.
Have questions about the CAP appeal process? Visit www.smu.edu/cap for more information or email your questions to cap@mail.smu.edu
