Houston,
17
November
2022
|
09:54 AM
America/Chicago

UST Receives $229,997 from THECB for Student Success Services

Dr. Jim Monaghan with studentsThe Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) awarded the University of St. Thomas-Houston a $50,000 Student Success Planning Grant and a $179,977 Student Success Implementation Grant

With college being the goal for all Texans, these THECB funds support public and private/independent colleges, universities, and health-related institutions planning for the accelerated development or expansion of innovative programs and initiatives. These initiatives will  positively affect access, persistence, completion, and workforce transitions and the implementation of those plans. 

Planning projects may focus on student success programs in any of the following areas:

  • Academic Supports
  • Advising
  • Essential Needs/Wrap-Around Services
  • Finances/Cost
  • Mental Health and Wellness
  • Some College, No Credential Re-engagement
  • Underserved Populations: First Generation and Economically Disadvantaged Student Initiatives

Dr. Jim Monaghan, the program director for these grant monies, said, “University of St. Thomas is deeply committed to student academic success, retention, and timely graduation rates. These grants will complement the deliverables from UST’s new five-year, $3 million Title V CHART (Coaching Hispanics for Academic Retention and Transformation Program) award. The CHART Project will create a new culture of data-driven, high-touch student success services across the campus, and these funds will add additional resources and opportunities for students. 

“We are very pleased to receive these THECB grant awards,” Monaghan said.

The THECB grant program Co-Director is Janice Adamson Splawn.  

Accelerate Planning Grant 

The THECB Accelerate Planning Grant allows UST to obtain the new Watermark Student Success software and data analytics system and the student support smartphone application, which will aid in increasing student retention and graduation rates. The Watermark Student Success platform is built just for higher education and helps manage caseloads efficiently while supporting each student’s unique needs and goals.

Expressly, this grant permits UST to equitably serve under-resourced Asian and Hispanic male students and other students in need of support.

 Accelerate Implementation Grant 

UST’s Accelerate Implementation Grant is an extension of the planning grant. This grant aims to increase student success and graduation rates across campus, focusing on underperforming students. 

 The grant allows UST to train faculty and staff on the software while encouraging the campus-wide use of the systems. The training also guides faculty and staff to focus on high-quality, culturally appropriate, and theory-based interventions for these populations.

Students identified as “at risk” by either faculty or staff or the student success software and data analytics program will receive coaching and referrals to wrap-around support services.