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Retention and Graduation Initiatives

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Retention and Graduation Initiatives

Graduation Initiatives

The Degree Completion Team is committed to helping students stay on track to graduation, no matter where they are in their academic journey. We understand that each student’s path is unique and may include challenges related to academics, finances, work, or family responsibilities. Our goal is to help you navigate those challenges and move forward with confidence.

How We Support Student Success

We use a proactive, data-informed approach to identify and support students who may be experiencing barriers to retention, progression, or graduation. Examples include:

Using data from Navigate and other platforms, we identify students who may be facing acing academic or administrative challenges. We reach out directly and collaborate with campus partners to resolve issues such as registration holds, incomplete grades, or enrollment concerns.
We regularly review the academic progress of First-Time-In-College (FTIC) and UHin4 students to identify trends and potential barriers. This data-driven approach helps us tailor interventions and inform broader policy and process improvements across campus.
In collaboration with faculty and the UH LAUNCH Learning Center and college partners, we coordinate early alert campaigns through Navigate. These campaigns help us identify students who may benefit from timely academic support, allowing us to intervene early and connect students with the help they need to succeed.

Degree Completion Specialists

The Degree Completion Team works in close partnership with academic colleges and student service offices, including advising, financial aid, the registrar, and student affairs, to provide coordinated, student-centered support. Our specialists maintain strong connections with faculty and staff across colleges to ensure students receive timely, informed guidance.

Using a case management approach, we proactively reach out to undergraduate students who are identified through predictive analytics or referred by campus partners. Our goal is to help students address academic or administrative challenges early, review their academic progress, and develop a clear, personalized plan toward graduation. 

Examples of Services Provided by Degree Completion Specialists

Proactive communication with students who have not enrolled for an upcoming term to identify barriers and support re-enrollment.
Targeted outreach and guidance for students navigating academic standing concerns, including strategies for recovery and success. UHin4 students also benefit from a structured Academic Recovery Program. 
Personalized reminders for key academic milestones and deadlines, along with referrals to university services such as advising, financial aid, and academic support. 
Timely follow-up on referrals from faculty, staff, or students to assess academic concerns and provide solutions that remove barriers to graduation.

Success Through Peer Support

Many students who connect with Peer Assistant Leaders (PALs) share how impactful it is to talk with someone who truly understands the student experience at UH. PALs have helped students:

  • Regain confidence after academic setbacks by offering encouragement and sharing strategies that worked for them.
  • Navigate university processes like registration, financial aid, and academic petitions with greater clarity.
  • Build stronger connections to campus resources and communities, helping students feel more supported and less isolated.
  • Stay accountable to their goals through regular check-ins and personalized peer coaching.

Whether it’s a quick conversation or ongoing support, students often say that working with a PAL helped them feel more capable, connected, and confident in their path to graduation.