California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) has been awarded a $3 million one-time infusion of state funds in recognition of its innovative efforts to reduce the average time to earn a degree and increase graduation rates among its students.
The university was one of 14 California public colleges and universities–and one of only five CSU campuses– selected to share a pool of $50 million allocated by Governor Jerry Brown in the 2014 state budget. The Awards for Innovation in Higher Education reward colleges and universities for implementing creative techniques that improve educational outcomes and have the potential to be replicated at other institutions.
“The award recognizes our ongoing commitment to student success and the tremendous strides and momentum we are experiencing in implementing effective programs, decreasing time to degree, increasing graduation rates and graduating academically strong students,” said President Willie J. Hagan. “The $3 million award allows us to continue and further expand our investment in our students and innovative programs supporting their success.”
In its submission, CSUDH highlighted its “National Laboratory and Model for Student Academic Success” initiative, which integrates and institutionalizes several evidenced-based high-impact practices (HIPs) that have been shown on the CSUDH campus and at other institutions to increase student learning, persistence and overall success. Examples included expanded interactions with students before they start their first semester (summer bridge program), comprehensive advising throughout a student’s time on campus, peer mentorship, increased opportunities to participate in undergraduate research, internships, and service-learning activities.
The $3 million will be used to continue building on that initiative through technology enhancements, laptop distribution, curricular design and classroom conversion to active learning ones, professional development for professors, new intervention methods, and refinement and expansion of high impact practices to increase and specifically impact student success.
Assemblyman Mike Gipson, who represents the campus and surrounding community, congratulated CSUDH for being selected for an Innovation Award.
“Your commitment and plans for student success will meet the needs of those who may otherwise face challenges to completing their degree,” Gipson noted. “The summer bridge program; partnerships with high schools and community colleges; equitable access to technology; active learning classrooms and more provide students with necessary resources to fulfill their academic goals and prepare them for future workforce demands.”
For more information about the Awards for Innovation in Higher Education, visit here.
CSUDH’s budget proposal for its $3 million award is also online.
