6:15am | If you were a parent paying for your child’s education, wouldn’t you want to know that the school he/she is enrolled in helps students stay on track and graduate?  Well, according to a national report released recently, Long Beach State outperforms most similar higher education institutions in that category.  

The report, titled “Promoting a Culture of Student Success: How Colleges and Universities Are Improving Degree Completion,” profiles 15 four-year public colleges and universities nationwide who have demonstrated success in raising graduation rates.  The hope is that, by profiling these schools, other higher learning institutions will follow the same practices to help students succeed on their own campuses. 

Some of the programs attributed to CSULB’s success in the report include Graduation Green Light, the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and the Education Opportunity Program, which helps at-risk students achieve degree completion through special advising, mentoring and tutoring.
In a statement released by the university, CSULB President F. King Alexander said, “This report further validates the ongoing efforts of our faculty and staff to ensure that all of our students, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds, achieve their education goals.”   President Alexander added, “To be one of a small group of 15 singled out as national examples is a tribute to the entire CSULB family.” 

Especially in this economy, this report is also reassuring to parents of Long Beach State students.  Not only are their children receiving a quality education – they are also more likely complete their degree.  

What do you think colleges and universities can do to increase the number of students who complete their degrees?