To boost retention and progression, we strengthened transfer pathways with over 80 Virginia Community College System (VCCS) guides and a new self-service tool, improved 100- and 200-level course success, expanded coordinated support and mapped more than 20 student-facing processes to remove friction points.
100-level courses in fall 2024-spring 2025
were created from the student end-user perspective
in FTIC student engagement in programs and events
To stabilize enrollment, we dramatically expanded campus visits, launched a direct admission model that now accounts for roughly two-thirds of new freshmen, and implemented the Radford Tuition Promise, which increased First Time In College (FTIC) yield while using less aid than budgeted.
in the number of visitors hosted by Admissions in 2023-24 and 2024-25
in fall 2025 were admitted through direction admission
using same aid dollars and additional commitment to Promise
By treating student employment as a high-impact experience, we began measuring National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) career competencies and tracking GPA, retention and graduation for student employees, who continue to outperform their peers academically and persist at higher rates even as we refine our assessment tools.
for student employees than the rest of students on campus
To enhance retention through our culture of care, we focused on strengthening service quality and student experience, establishing satisfaction baselines, collecting detailed feedback on services and events, and using those insights to guide ongoing staff development and continuous improvement in how we support students.
are satisfied with the quality of services provided by their department
using services agreed it enhanced their Highlander experience