A collaboration between Indiana University Northwest and Purdue University Northwest that could help boost student engagement and lead to higher graduation rates among first-generation college as well as low-income students has landed state honors.
The Utilization of Academic Coaching to Affect Academic Progress initiative, an effort of IUN and PNW, will be the foundation to train representatives from both institutions’ student support services programs to use academic coaching as a vehicle to foster retention and graduation among first-generation college and/or low-income students.
The IUN/PNW program was one of two winners of the 2019 Stan Jones Award, presented by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Each award winner also received a $5,000 grant.
The awards honor the late Stan Jones, founder and former president of Complete College America and former Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education.
“The Stan Jones Award was designed to build upon Stan’s legacy of landmark education policy and student success initiatives,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “Just as Stan was a tireless advocate for education, we present this award to programs that are working to increase student success and close the completion gap for all students.”
Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County was the other award winner for its Cardinal Reboot program.
The Ivy Tech program is for students who are dismissed for academic reasons from Ball State University. They can enter Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County to improve their grade point averages and transer transfer back into Ball State to complete their bachelor’s degree.
