When universities center the student experience by focusing on learning conditions that foster motivation, persistence, and success for all students, the results are powerful: students learn and succeed better.
The UT System Student Experience Project Improvement Network is being developed to do just that by implementing the Student Experience Project (SEP), a national initiative focused on implementing evidence-based practices that increase degree completion by transforming the student experience. With generous funding from the Raikes Foundation, the Network is providing proof of concept for scaling the SEP model and measuring its impact across institutions at a system level, with a focus on institutional policies and practices that incentivize instructors to strengthen the classroom experience effectively in ways that improve student outcomes. The project is also conducting data analysis to measure return on investment and gains in student retention for participating institutions.
Five institutions are collaborating with UT System Office of Academic Affairs to develop the network: The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Texas at El Paso, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and Stephen F. Austin State University. External partners include: PERTS an SEP technical assistance partner providing support through the Ascend platform and networked learning activities; and consulting and thought leadership from Dr. Denise Bartell, Kent State University.
The national Student Experience Project is a collaborative of university leaders, faculty, researchers and national education and improvement organizations committed to innovative, evidence-based practices that increase degree attainment by transforming the college student experience and creating learning environments where all students can be successful. Funded by the Raikes Foundation, partners include the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU) and the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities (APLU), PERTS, and researchers including Dr. Mary Murphy.
