Texas A&M Releases Final Report On Student Success Recommendations

Texas A&M University’s task force on Student Success has completed its report and will proceed with numerous recommendations including increased funding to achieve specific goals and the opening of a new graduation help desk, said Provost and Executive Vice President Carol A. Fierke.

The report hopes to achieve measureable improvement in the overall success of Texas A&M students, especially by increasing first-year retention from 92 percent to 95 percent; increase four-year graduation rates from 54 percent to 65 percent; increase six-year graduation rates from 82 percent to 85 percent; and decrease achievement disparities whether ethnic, first-generation college student status, gender or socioeconomic.

The goals will be established for Texas A&M freshmen entering in the fall of 2019.

“These recommendations emerged through a high consultative process that included a 56-person task force, open campus forums and engagement of our students in focus groups from across campus,” Fierke said of the final report.

“I understand that not all recommendations can be implemented immediately. Initial resources have been identified totaling more than $12 million over the first four years, and additional institutional and philanthropic support will be sought.  This investment is more than paid for by successfully graduating more Aggies and to take on the world’s challenges and contribute to our society at a time when the values we instill in each student have never been more needed.”

Fierke added that it is especially important that Texas A&M address achievement disparities disclosed in the findings and to come up with improved ways to reduce student debt.

She added, “We are committed to our responsibility to ensure that all Aggies have a quality educational experience with support that advances their knowledge and achieves the full promise of their degree.”