Fairmont State University joins “Transforming the Postsecondary Experience” initiative

Fairmont State University has joined the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Higher Education’s “Transforming the Postsecondary Experience” initiative that seeks to improve student success outcomes and remove barriers to success for individuals who come from low-income families or are first-generation college students. The university has joined the third cohort of this effort, which will last for the next five years.

According to an article on Fairmont State University’s website, Pamela Stephens, who serves as the university’s Assistant Provost for Advising and Retention Initiatives, was quoted as saying of its involvement in this effort, “Partnering with the Gardner Institute enables Fairmont State University to enhance student success and persistence through data-informed strategies and collective planning. Through evidence-based practices and collaborative engagement, this partnership strengthens our capacity to improve student outcomes, enhance academic quality, and fulfill our mission of providing transformative educational experiences for all students.”

Research conducted by the Gardner Institute, which is a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving student success, teaching, and learning, shows that the first two years of a student’s education is the most critical to their overall success and completion. The Gardner Institute notes that 76% of challenges and roadblocks to a student’s success occurs in the first two years of their academic journey, or shortly after. Participating institutions in the initiative will use a systematic approach to redesign the first two years of a student’s time in higher education.

Dr. Janna Bredeson, who is the Vice President of Student Affairs at the university, said, “Working with the Gardner Institute has been transformative. Their collaborative approach challenged us to think critically, align across divisions, and keep students at the center of every decision. It’s more than a partnership—it’s a catalyst for meaningful change.”

Dedra Cobb is a Student Success Coordinator at the university who will become the liaison between Fairmont State University and the Gardner Institute during the initiative. She will be the project manager for the efforts of the Institute’s redesign processes and community practices, one of which is the Curricular Analytics Community, which will analyze the curriculum utilized at the university and redesign it through curriculum mapping and visualization tools. A more complicated curriculum can often lead to lower rates of student completion and success.

Speaking of her involvement in the initiative, Cobb said, “It is a true honor to serve as Fairmont State University’s lead for the Gardner Institute partnership. This collaboration gives us the opportunity to learn, grow, and innovate together. Ultimately, our work is united by a commitment to data-informed decision-making that empowers us to better serve our students.”

For more information about Fairmont State University, visit the school’s website.