The Blue Hen Success Collaborative, a new advising and academic support system designed to increase student retention and graduation rates, is set to launch Oct. 3.

“We are committed to supporting and guiding every student from their first day all the way to graduation,” said University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis. “The Blue Hen Success Collaborative will help us provide the excellent advising that is crucial for student success.”

Naomi Nash has been appointed director for the collaborative, charged with its implementation on campus. Nash previously served as an advisor and senior associate registrar at UD, bringing with her 15 years of higher education experience and a deep knowledge of UD systems and policies.

“Naomi’s professional background is rooted in advising, advisement technologies and in training advisors on system platforms and policies,” said Chris Lucier, vice president for enrollment management. “With a passion for student success, Naomi is well suited to work with the campus community to ensure the Blue Hen Success Collaborative gets off to a great start.”

“In my time at UD, I have met faculty and staff who are incredibly caring and committed to making sure students succeed,” said Nash. “The Blue Hen Success Collaborative is an exciting opportunity to provide these colleagues powerful mechanisms to support their work and build on UD’s strong retention and graduation rates.”

The collaborative uses a combination of predictive analytics, real-time data, consulting and networking to help advisers recognize and intervene with at-risk students — particularly those who are from underrepresented populations — and keep them on track to graduation.

The system is being rolled out in phases over the next several semesters, beginning with approximately 70 faculty and staff advisors from all seven colleges piloting the program this fall.

"The Blue Hen Success Collaborative will take a lot of the grunt work out of the advising process and free up our time to really connect with our students," said Sarah Wetherall, interim assistant dean for student services in the College of Arts and Sciences. "It will be especially valuable for students who may otherwise slip through the cracks in such a large college. Before, I would have to look at several sources to get a complete picture of a student. Now I will be able to pull up a student’s page and get a visually engaging summary of crucial information in one place." 

Lucier and Nash are leading the implementation of the collaborative — along with Deputy Provost Lynn Okagaki — with the help of a leadership team of associate deans, professional advisers and faculty representing all seven colleges and the registrar’s office.

“The leadership team has been instrumental in developing a strategic and thoughtful implementation,” said Okagaki. “I look forward to continuing work with the group to establish a solid foundation for our campus.”

The pilot will lay the groundwork with four cornerstones: effective advising; timely communication to students; data analysis and reporting; and feedback leading to continuous improvement.

Additional advisers and campus service offices will be gradually added to the user group throughout 2017 and 2018.

“I’m excited about the Blue Hen Success Collaborative's potential to help us reach a larger number of students," said Adrian McCleary, assistant director of academic advisement services for the Center for Academic Success and University Studies Program. "The ability to set up meaningful discussions and connect students with applicable resources will be invaluable in our efforts to support undeclared students.”

For more information about the Blue Hen Success Collaborative, including reference information and designated users for each college, visit the website.