Given its dedication to transforming students’ lives, Capital was a natural fit to join the inaugural cohort of Transforming the Foundational Postsecondary Experience, a group of 11 institutions committed to redesigning the first two years of college so every student can graduate.
Led by the Gardner Institute, a leading national student success nonprofit organization, the Foundational Postsecondary Experience initiative aims to transform the critical first two years of college education, during which students create the foundation of ultimate success and degree completion.
The effort, made possible in part through the generous support of Ascendium Education Group, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ECMC Foundation, and The Kresge Foundation, will help institutions focus on inequitable performance gaps and take action to improve student learning and success.
“We are proud to embark on this new initiative to further transform the undergraduate student first- and second-year experience with the Gardner Institute and 10 other institutions nationally,” said Jody Fournier, Ph.D., Capital University provost.
“Over the past decade, we have worked to identify and remove barriers to student success,” Fournier said. “This work has led to student outcome improvement as well as a tide change in attitudes, climate, and action across our campus. And still, we know we have more work to do to improve equity and access.”
By participating in this initiative, Capital University will not only contribute its unique perspective but also collaborate closely with the Gardner Institute and the 10 other institutions in the inaugural cohort over a five-year period to develop innovative strategies, enhance teaching and learning practices, and promote student success and retention. The effort will help the institution move toward eliminating demographic, zip code, and other variables as the best predictors of who does nor does not succeed.
Dr. Drew Koch, CEO of the Gardner Institute, shared, “We are thrilled to welcome Capital University to the inaugural cohort of Transforming the Foundational Postsecondary Experience. The five-year commitment demonstrates the institution’s dedication to transforming the postsecondary experience for all their students.
“This is a bold action,” Koch continued. “The university clearly recognizes that doing hard things requires long-term commitment, and improving student success in ways that maintain access, eliminate performance gaps, and uphold quality is very hard. But Capital University is committed to doing this hard work. That is why it was selected to take part.”
Other institutions in the inaugural cohort include Mississippi State University and California State University - San Bernadino.
“Over the past decade, we have worked to identify and remove barriers to student success,” Fournier said. “This work has led to student outcome improvement as well as a tide change in attitudes, climate, and action across our campus. And still, we know we have more work to do to improve equity and access.”
Jody Fournier, provost