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W— Academic Affairs
UNC CHARLOTTE
Student Success at UNC Charlotte
A Series of Working Papers
November 2012
The Student Success Working Group
Tamara M. Johnson, Ph.D.
Office of Academic Affairs
As North Carolina’s urban research university, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is committed to
offering internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary academic programs,
and focused community engagement initiatives. Part of UNC Charlottes mission is to provide an accessible
and affordable quality education that equips students with intellectual and professional skills, ethical principles,
and an international perspective. In recent years, the University has been challenged to graduate accomplished,
capable, and engaged citizens while juggling budget constraints, increasing enrollment, and a diversifying
student population with a wide range of resource needs.
In response to these challenges, the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Joan Lorden,
established the Student Success Working Group (SSWG) in 201 1 to identify key initiatives to improve student
success at UNC Charlotte. The philosophy behind the working group is intertwined with the UNC Charlottes
Quality Enhancement Program’s (QEP) Student Learning Outcomes which emphasize a commitment to success,
inquiry, and self and cultural awareness. These QEP Student Learning Outcomes engage first year students
as active partners in their educational experiences by providing them with the resources to set personal and
professional goals, develop and evaluate their own learning, and understand themselves and their role in local
and global communities.
A collaborative effort, the SSWG brings together senior administrators, faculty, academic affairs staff (from
Enrollment Services, Academic Services, the Atkins Library, Information Technology Services, International
Programs, University College, and Academic Advising), and student affairs staff (Housing and Residence
Life, Parent and Family Services, Student Activities, and Assessment). In a desire to bolster student success
by improving undergraduate retention and time-to-degree rates, the SSWG focused its initial energies on the
experiences of both first-time, full-time freshmen and transfer students. Focusing on students’ experiences their
first year on campus engages them early and creates momentum for a successful tenure at UNC Charlotte by
introducing them to the University’s academic culture and resources. The SSWG has since broadened its focus
to discuss strategies that will enhance the success of all UNC Charlotte undergraduates. Members of the SSWG
share information from across campus about who UNC Charlotte students are, where they come from, how they
perform academically after arriving at UNC Charlotte, and what resources and processes the University can
provide to help them succeed.
The working papers in this Student Success at UNC Charlotte series discuss topics related to improving the
student experience. Reports will highlight existing programs at national and peer institutions, successful
policies and programs that have been recently implemented at UNC Charlotte, challenges associated with
executing these initiatives, and future directions for improvement.
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