The idea of student success has evolved. No longer is success solely synonymous with a student’s grade point average, but rather with a list of extracurricular activities, internships, and engagement in community service that fully form the Assumption graduate. As the institution welcomes different types of students, such as first-generation students, we’ve discovered that these individuals make meaningful contributions to Assumption’s vibrant campus life, but also encounter challenges relative to adjusting to the demands and rigors of college life. For some of these students, success was often defined as merely finishing each semester.
At Assumption, we are constantly innovating, evolving our programs to ensure all students have a successful and fruitful experience during their four years at the institution. Each member of our faculty and staff, regardless of position, enjoys this singular uniting purpose: to educate and ensure student success as we form them to be individuals of unparalleled character who are prepared and possess a zeal to make a meaningful difference in the world.
As we prepare for a student population that is more diverse, the services and opportunities we provide them must meet their evolving needs. Enhancing the various resources afforded to students, in particular first-generation students, is key to ensuring their academic success, resilience, retention, persistence to graduation, and employability. These factors contributed to the creation of the Division for Student Success, which launched in July of last year, with the purpose of enhancing a culture on campus that is dedicated to providing an array of services to ensure that such are accessible and readily available to serve students from all backgrounds. In addition, we have already begun a process by which to identify any obstacles that students may encounter during their time at Assumption. For instance, there is greater attention provided to first-year students who struggle with the transition to college. Instead of reviewing their challenges during an exit interview, Student Success staff intervene early in the process to formulate a plan to alleviate those challenges. This is one of many examples of a community-wide renewed emphasis on the success of each student.
The Division for Student Success demonstrates how Assumption empowers and equips all students to pursue what were perhaps insurmountable challenges in pursuit of a personal or career dream. Whether students dream of becoming CEOs, by way of our newly anointed Grenon School of Business, or competing in the National Football League, as several former Greyhounds are doing today, Assumption is committed to supporting students each step of the way as they pursue these dreams and accomplish their goals. In this issue, you’ll learn how Assumption has prepared students academically, physically, and spiritually to compete not just in the classroom and boardrooms, but on football’s biggest stage. And therein lies the intrinsic value of the liberal arts. Here, students are prepared to pursue careers as teachers, business leaders, scientists – and soon nurses and physician assistants – and even professional athletes who, with their Assumption education, will positively impact those around them. At Assumption, student success comes in many forms, as you will read in the pages that follow. And while the higher education landscape changes, the institution will continue to innovate to ensure our students receive the best education, rewarding opportunities, and most importantly, the full and unwavering support of a dedicated faculty and staff to ultimately succeed.
Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT
