The University of St. Thomas-Houston has been awarded a five-year, $3 million competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Education OPE Title V Developing Hispanic Institutions for the CHART (Coaching Hispanics for Academic Retention and Transformation) Program.

UST is recognized as a Hispanic-serving Institution (HSI), a designation from the U.S. Department of Education.

The UST CHART Project will create a new culture of data-driven, high-touch student success services across the UST campus. Implementing a data analytics system will allow faculty and staff to identify students struggling in courses early in the semester and provide the necessary coaching for their success.

“At the University of St. Thomas, our chief purpose is the human flourishing of all students  who entrust their intellectual formation to us,” Dr. Chris Evans, vice president for Academic Affairs, said. “this grant will excel our efforts to provide support to the students who need additional help to succeed in their courses and degree.”

The CHART project will feature a project director, a project manager/lead coach, a student success coach, and an English Language Learners (ELL)/student success coach. This team will work with staff and faculty to provide focused, wrap-around support services for freshmen, sophomores, and transfer students and feature proactive counseling.  

Student peer mentors will provide another layer of support to students in the Title V program. Additionally, students with disabilities will be trained each year as designated peer mentors for other students with disabilities and learning differences, further encouraging and fostering a community of inclusion. The University will obtain assistive technology through the grant to support students with disabilities. An endowment component requiring a 1:1 match will create a new endowed scholarship fund for Hispanic and low-income students.

Dr. Poldi Tschirch, dean emerita of the Peavy School of Nursing, will serve as the project director. Dr. Amaury Nora, one of the nation’s leading experts in student support and success, will serve as the program evaluator.

“We are delighted to receive this important, transformational funding and honored that Dr. Nora will work with us to provide a solid evaluation structure and enable us to create a theory-based student success program,” Tschirch said.

About the University of St. Thomas-Houston

The University of St. Thomas-Houston is a comprehensive university grounded in the liberal arts. UST offers programs in the traditional liberal arts and professional and skills-based