The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is among the top five finalists for the inaugural Excellence in Student Success Award from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).
The award recognizes institutions demonstrating a comprehensive, systemic commitment to advancing student success. Through sustainable and innovative initiatives, the finalist institutions enhance degree completion, improve outcomes, and reduce barriers to educational attainment.
“We are honored to be recognized for our innovative commitment to student success,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor John Zomchick. “Selection as a finalist for this award would not have been possible without the dedication of our talented faculty and staff who collaborate to create an environment where all students can achieve their dreams.”
In the five years since its Division of Student Success was established, UT has experienced record levels of retention and graduation. First-year retention has risen from 86% to 92.4%, up six points over the past five years, while four-year and six-year graduation rates now stand at an all-time high.
“This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire campus community,” said Amber Williams, vice provost for student success. “At UT Knoxville, we strive every day to personalize the student experience and ensure that every scholar has the institutional support and opportunities needed to achieve their goals and thrive.”
UT Knoxville joins the University of California, Merced; University of Illinois Chicago; Northern Illinois University; and the University of Texas at San Antonio as finalists. The winner will be announced at the APLU Annual Meeting, November 9–11, in Philadelphia.
“Congratulations to this year’s Excellence in Student Success Award finalists,” said APLU President Waded Cruzado. “We’re delighted to highlight institutions that are on the leading edge of advancing student success and ensuring more students benefit from the transformational power of a college education.”
The Excellence in Student Success Award is open to all APLU member institutions. By highlighting success-focused initiatives that yield measurable progress, the award underscores the transformative role public universities play in expanding access to higher education and cultivating student success.
In its application, the UT Division of Student Success shared its overhaul of first-year student programming, the implementation of strengths-based Vol Success Teams and historic highs in retention and graduation rates and career outcomes, among many other achievements.
APLU is a membership organization that fosters a community of university leaders collectively working to advance the mission of public research universities. The association’s membership consists of nearly 250 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations spanning across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, six U.S. territories, Canada, and Mexico.