Bemidji State University was recently selected as one of four institutions within the Minnesota State system to pilot a grant program.
According to a release, the $580,000 grant will be used to design comprehensive student support programs and improve completion rates, specifically in underrepresented student populations.
Scaling Up College COmpletion Efforts for Students Success (SUCCESS) is funded through a partnership with Minnesota State and MRDC, a nonprofit research organization that leads the SUCCESS network.
Zak Johnson, director of the Advising Success Center, and Margie Giauque, director of Career Services, said the SUCCESS grant will allow BSU to continue efforts to reduce the education equity gap and move Minnesota State toward the Equity 2030 goal.
“Our target group would include first-generation college students, underrepresented students such as American Indian students and other students of color and those of low socioeconomic status,” he said. “Essentially this program will allow BSU, through new positions funded by the grant, to provide regular support to underrepresented students through a strong and successful mentorship program which will include regular meetings, academic program guidance, referrals to student services as needed and financial support.”
The SUCCESS program model is currently being implemented in four states: Ohio, Indiana, California and NEw Jersey.
