Summit supports UT’s commitment to student success

Faculty, staff and administrators from throughout The University of Texas System came together Sept. 20-21 to learn from national leaders and one another as part of UT’s ongoing efforts to help students succeed. During the third annual Student Success Summit, held in Bee Cave, Texas, attendees shared best practices, encouragement and inspiration in support of the student success mission.

“UT System-supported professional development is one way we drive together towards wider institutional engagement and shared responsibility for student success,” said Rebecca Karoff, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Our goal is to support and fortify the extraordinary work taking place at each UT institution.”

This year’s program focused on “The Faculty Role in Student Success,” reflecting the importance of educators in helping students achieve their academic goals. With leadership from UT System’s Office of Academic Affairs, UT institutions are implementing broad, cross-sector coordination and collaboration to provide students with the support they need to graduate on-time.

UT’s student success initiatives are centered on three principles: make sure no student drops out due to financial hardship; offer advising that provides students with a clear path to completion; and offer support and opportunities for engagement that give students a sense of belonging.

“The UT System’s commitment to student success remains constant and unwavering,” said Karoff. “This summit brings us together to both celebrate the successes of our students and amplify our efforts for those students for whom success is more elusive.”

About The University of Texas System
For more than 130 years, The University of Texas System has been committed to improving the lives of Texans and people all over the world through education, research and health care. With 14 institutions, an enrollment of more than 235,000 students and an operating budget of $19.5 billion (FY 2019), the UT System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. UT institutions produce nearly 59,000 graduates annually and award more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees and almost two-thirds of its health professional degrees. Collectively, UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics accounted for more than 7.8 million outpatient visits and 1.6 million hospital days last year. Across UT institutions, research and development expenditures total $2.7 billion – the second highest among U.S. public higher education systems – and the UT System is regularly ranked among the top 10 most innovative universities in the world. The UT System also is one of the largest employers in Texas, with more than 21,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates and members of the National Academies – and nearly 85,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff.