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Chancellor Justin Schwartz and Provost Ann Stevens have launched the next phase to advancing a holistic approach to student success for increasing undergraduate retention and graduation rates and enhancing the overall student experience. This next phase, which builds on the��foundational achievements��of the��Buff Undergraduate Success (BUS) initiative, also seeks to close gaps and promote equitable outcomes for all students.

Celebrating the Buff Undergraduate Success (BUS) initiative

Launched in fall 2021, BUS has driven transformative change across campus and achieved a major milestone of record high retention rates, with 90.2% of 2023’s first-year student cohort returning for 2024 and 95.7% of 2024’s first-year students continuing into the spring 2025 semester. This accomplishment reflects the coordinated efforts of BUS-led projects and the dedication of faculty, staff and leadership across the colleges, schools and campus to fostering a culture of care, belonging and academic excellence.

Additional key accomplishments include:

• A centralized dashboard to alert advisors and coaches about first-year students who may need extra support, now in use in Arts & Sciences, Engineering & Applied Science, and the Program in Exploratory Studies
• Streamlined policies and processes for grade replacement, intrauniversity transfer, transfer credit evaluation and late course withdrawals
• Expanded access to tutoring and affinity spaces
• A working group to improve math instruction
• Coordinated re-enrollment campaigns across campus
• The launch of the program, The Buff Way: Demonstrating our culture of care

“I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the entire BUS Leadership Implementation Team—including founding leaders Katherine Eggert, Joe Thomas, Jon Leslie and Marin Stanek and past and present leaders Daryl Maeda, Jess Doty, Amy Hutton and Erika Randall—for their outstanding dedication and innovation. BUS-LIT’s guidance across a wide range of projects and initiatives has been instrumental, with a strong emphasis on data-informed decision-making and cross-campus collaboration,” said Schwartz.

New��leadership and structure for student success next phase��

Undergraduate student success is shaped by three interconnected functions: undergraduate education, student life and enrollment management. Strategic collaboration across these areas is essential to supporting students throughout their academic journey.��

“As a direct effort tied to the campus priority of advancing a holistic approach to student success, I fully support Provost Stevens’ appointment of Erika Randall, interim dean and vice provost of undergraduate education; D’Andra Mull, vice chancellor for student life; and Amy Hutton, vice chancellor for enrollment management, to lead this next phase,” said Schwartz. “Together, they bring direct touchpoints to all critical areas of student success, along with a unified vision and strategic leadership to advance student success goals across the university.”

Implementation framework for advancing student success goals

Programming for next phase will focus on the following interrelated areas:

• Beneficial high-impact practices by expanding access to positive, supportive and transformative learning experiences
• Residential academic programs and living learning communities: Streamlining access to RAPs and LLCs
• Retention and graduation pathways: Removing barriers to second- and third-year retention and degree completion
• Upper-year programming: Creating opportunities for career, graduate study and post-degree pathways for participating in a diverse democracy
• Data-informed strategy: Using data to guide decisions and measure impact
• Collaborative linkages: Connecting college-level efforts with central initiatives in partnership with deans
• Resource identification: Supporting innovation through pilot funding and securing long-term resources for proven strategies

“We’re excited to carry forward the important work of BUS to new levels of success and continue fostering successful cross-campus collaboration,” said Stevens. “Our goal is to build a culture where every student—at every level of their experience—feels supported, challenged and empowered to thrive.”