Lawrence University Receives $2.1M Dept. of Education Grant to Strengthen Retention, Graduation Rates
APPLETON, WIS. — Lawrence University has been awarded a five-year, $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). The grant will support a new initiative designed to increase the college’s retention and graduation rates, especially among at-risk student groups.
Professor of Music Steven Jordheim has been named director of the college’s initiative. He will coordinate the implementation of a network of academic support systems designed to help each student overcome obstacles and achieve their educational goals.
“The work of helping all of our students successfully complete a Lawrence education is extremely important to us, and Steve will do a wonderful job with the program’s initiatives,” said Provost and Dean of the Faculty David Burrows in announcing Jordheim’s appointment. “He has a passion for helping students succeed, experience in retention programs and great organizational skills. Steve’s combination of qualities made him a fine choice to lead these initiatives.”
Over the next five years, the SIP grant will support:
• Additional staffing for the Center for Teaching & Learning and Student Academic Services that will substantially increase one-on-one and small group academic skills development, as well as ESL services.
• A retention management system with new software will be launched to coordinate faster, more targeted connections to students who would benefit from individualized support by a network of faculty and staff.
• New bridge programs will develop core skills and better prepare incoming students for college.
• Advanced training for faculty advisors to provide better, more culturally competent academic advising and mentoring.
• The CORE peer mentoring program launched last fall will be expanded, matching each Freshman Studies section with two upper-division peer mentors who will help first-year students make Connections, receive ongoing Orientation, identify and utilize campus Resources and develop realistic Expectations about academics and student life.
“The Title III grant enables us to launch a comprehensive set of initiatives to foster success of our students throughout their years of study at Lawrence and through the completion of their degrees,” said Jordheim, who has taught saxophone and music pedagogy in the Lawrence Conservatory of Music since 1981. “The many and complex issues affecting student retention figure prominently in my work as a studio teacher each year. The new programs and positions created and the enhancements to existing programs and services will ensure greater numbers of our students fulfill their potential in their undergraduate study.
“I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, staff and students in the effort to increase student success and degree completion at Lawrence,” Jordheim added.
The DOE grant includes up to $427,000 in endowment funds for ongoing support of the program, contingent upon Lawrence matching those funds through gifts and grants from other sources. Lawrence is seeking $575,000 in matching funds from private donors to create a $1 million fund to sustain the program.
About LawrenceUniversity
Founded in 1847,
Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the
Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.
