University of Wisconsin - Stout

Making a Difference

The NEED for Student Support Services-ASPIRE (SSS-ASPIRE) at the University of Wisconsin-Stout clearly exists.  UW-Stout – by its location, specialization and commitment to students – is attracting students who are first-generation college students (where neither of their parents has received a baccalaureate degree), students coming from low-income families, and students with disabilities.  There is a demonstrated growing need for supportive and academic activities to retain eligible students in college until they graduate.

            Students who are first-generation, low-income or have a disability are often left behind in gaining the necessary educational opportunities and advancements common to students with the financial and the transitional supportive means to be successful in the educational pipeline.  In the mid-1980s, UW-Stout had about 25% of its student population eligible for SSS services.   Today, more than two decades later, UW-Stout has over 60% (or 4,265 of the total undergraduate student population, in the 2003 Fall term) are eligible for activities under the definition provided by the U.S. Department of Education.  

            UW-Stout, a four-year public state university, actively recruits and enrolls eligible students and ensures that students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education have the opportunity to enter its campus and classrooms.  However, improving access to higher education for eligible students is not enough.  Improving the success and graduation rates of disadvantaged students becomes the ultimate goal.  Eligible students are falling further and further behind in the key areas of academic achievement, retention and graduation.  Intrusive and deliberate retention intervention is absolutely needed for eligible students.

 

 

UW-Stout Data - First Generation, Limited Income, Disabilities

 

ASPIRE - Student Participation in Services

Student Support Services is a federally-funded grant project, funded year-to-year in four year grant cycles. Student participation is negotiated between the U.S. Department of Education and the university based on budget and students needs. UW-Stout has always hit their target numbers for student participation. In 2001-02, UW-Stout received a second grant to serve students with disabilities:

Project Year
SSS-ASPIRE
SSS-Disability
Target
Actual
Target
Actual
2004-2005
270
275
150
157
2003-2004
270
271
150
165
2002-2003
270
278
150
158
2001-2002
270
285
150
152
2000-2001
300
300
na
na
1999-2000
300
301
na
na
1998-1999
300
308
na
na
1997-1998
300
306
na
na

The first Student Support Services grant year at UW-Stout was October 1980. Since 1997, over 1,889 students have worked significantly with Student Support Services to assist them in reaching their educational goals.

 

ASPIRE - Retention and Graduation Rates

ASPIRE Retention and Graduation Rates

 

ASPIRE - Satisfaction, Campus Climate and Reporting

ASPIRE Program Satisfaction Surveys