Challenges in Front of Us
Are We The Problem?
3.6 Million
students who enrolled in college in 2018 who will not graduate.
57%
of the students in the 2018 cohort who will not graduate are African American, Hispanic, or from low-economic backgrounds.
7%
of students majoring in STEM fields are African American.
36%
of students wished they had chosen a different major.
+$32,000
Bachelor degree holders make more than those with just a high school diploma.
+$25,000
Four years after graduation, African American students owe more in student loans than their white peers.
18
National percentage point gap between Pell and non-Pell students who graduate in six years.
Evidence-based, data-driven strategies for Student Success
The NISS provides partner institutions with in-depth diagnostic analyses, implementation support, and learning pathways that enable significant improvements in graduation rates and reductions of equity gaps.
Evidence-based Programs
Practical know-how developed by subject matter experts who have successfully implemented such programs on their own campuses.
Equity Gap Reduction
Innovative and proven approaches for large-scale, positive transformation for students from all backgrounds.
Data Driven Student Support
Equitable outcomes in the enrollment, retention, and graduation of students from diverse backgrounds through the implementation of data-informed practices
Predictive Analytics
Holistic data analysis that identifies and addresses institutionally-created completion barriers.
Success by the Numbers
Georgia State is nationally known for pioneering student success programs that have eliminated equity gaps and improved college completion rates for all students.
“The lessons learned by Georgia State are transferable. The NISS disseminates evidence-based best practices to other colleges and universities and provides a suite of services to support their successful implementation.”
Dr. Tim Renick, NISS Executive Director
Success Stories
Morgan State Seeks to Strengthen Financial Wellness through the Use of Analytics
“I really do consider them a mentor institution in helping us further strengthen and hone the things that we’re doing. And we’ve been seeing really great results”
Dr. Kara Turner
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, MSU
NISS Partners with the Detroit Chamber of Commerce
"To have the chance to work with NISS staff directly has been an outstanding and timely opportunity for us. Our in-depth conversations with members of their team have helped us envision key strategies to undertake in order to grow our proactive, systemic impact on student success."
Kristin Carey Li
Project Manager, Institutional Effectiveness
North Carolina Central University: One of the NISS's First Diagnostic Clients
"This partnership has provided our institution with scalable solutions to address barriers to completion for our students. We are confident that the recommendations outlined in the Playbook will result in transformative change at NCCU through the enhancement of student success, retention and graduation rates."
Dr. Kimberly Phifer-McGhee
Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Weber State focuses on data-driven decision-making processes
“The NISS team did a great job with the recommendations […] in just a short period of time we had recommendations that were so focused and carefully worded and easy to discuss in our leadership meetings.”
Jessica Oyer
Associate Provost for Enrollment Management & Student Success
Cowley College Becomes the First Community College to Partner with the NISS
“Our team was very pleased with the collaborative activities and additional supports received from NISS staff throughout the process, especially the Institute’s willingness to customize the entire project for our institution. Ask any participant at Cowley College and they’ll be quick to recommend working with NISS staff if your campus is interested in improving the success of your students!”
Debbie Phelps
Executive Director of Institutional Research
Savannah State University is an Important Engine of Social Mobility for the Region
NISS provided a holistic and data informed assessment of my institution’s current student success strategies. It was a thorough campus-wide effort which supported meaningful dialogue and follow-up. The ‘Playbook’ recommendations gave my institution the opportunity to decide on priorities and the associated resources needed to execute them. Team NISS was always accessible, patient, willing, educating, and sincere about making a positive impact on our campus. This engagement also served as a reminder to everyone involved of the greater good and the importance of our collective work.”
Dr. Raymond Clarke
Vice President of Student Affairs
News & Insights
NISS
Aug 23, 2023 · 5 minutes
Press Release: Launch of the NISS Acceleration Grants Program
The National Institute for Student Success (NISS) has launched an ambitious new…
Orlando Montoya
Jul 14, 2023 · 10 minutes
Is the affirmative action ruling a call for colleges to do better to help students 'where they are?'
Listen: NISS Executive Director Tim Renick discusses the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling…
Tim Renick, Executive Director, NISS
Jul 11, 2023 · 3 minutes
Response to the Supreme Court's Decisions to Overturn Affirmative Action and the Biden Administration's Student Loan Forgiveness Plan
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s recent decisions overturning, in rapid…