Student Success Center | Photo by Qusai Takuri | The Wright State Guardian
Wright State University (WSU) provides resources for students who may be struggling in their education in an effort to boost retention and graduation rates.
Student success
WSU’s graduation rate is 46%, according to the Ohio Department of Higher Education. This is lower than other public, four-year institutions in Ohio such as Miami University at 78% and University of Cincinnati at 68%.
Wright State provides resources to aid students and boost graduation rates such as the Student Success Center.
“We work with what we call coordinate care efforts,” Amanda Watkins, associate director of undergraduate retention, said. “When students need assistance, we’re able to connect them with either advising, student advocacy and wellness, or raider connect.”
WSU students also part with the university for a variety of reasons that include medical reasons, employment opportunities and to go to universities closer to home among other reasons, according to Watkins.
Wright State’s strategies
WSU is aware that students part with the university and it has resources to combat this.
The Student Success Center has resources for academic advising, a tutoring center, a writing center and study coaches.
Watkins also recommends students who are struggling with college life to ask questions. Even if students are at the wrong office, someone will be able to guide them to the correct office.
“We’re here to support every student to succeed and we want to work with you and hear from you,” Watkins said.
WSU also offers more online courses than in previous years due to the impact of COVID-19. WSU plans on continuing to offer more online courses according to the efficiency report on Oct. 29 which students can utilize away from campus if they are looking to move back home.
Retrenchment
WSU is also aware that students are not the only members of the population that leave the university. WSU has also seen the loss of faculty in recent years which is noted in the financial audit on June 30, 2021. The audit states that the university saw 88 voluntary separations and 35 retirements in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.
The College of Liberal Arts (CoLA) has seen the biggest hit in retrenchment. Total faculty in CoLA declined 50% from 2015 to 2022 according to the CoLA reorganization report in Nov. 2021 which has resulted in fewer course offerings.
