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������ is the recipient of the 2015 Institutional Excellence for Students in Transition Award by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. The center is committed to setting the standard for excellence in supporting students at critical junctures in the educational pipeline, and it seeks to promote intentional and integrative connections within and across institutions and educational sectors to enhance the student transition experience.

Launched in 2014, the Institutional Excellence for Students in Transition Award is presented annually to institutions that have designed and implemented outstanding collaborative initiatives enhancing significant transitions during the undergraduate experience. As an award recipient, Kent State has demonstrated the effectiveness of the initiative in supporting student success, learning and development at a variety of transition points beyond the first college year and in responding to unique institutional needs.

Kent State received the award for its Exploration Plan Program housed in the University College, which is designed to enrich the freshman experience for undecided students and to expedite a shift into a degree-granting program within the first three semesters. As a result of the implementation of the Exploration Plan Program, Kent State has increased the retention of undecided students, the number of students transitioning from undecided to declaring a major by the time they earn 45 semester credit hours, and the average sophomore to junior persistence rate for exploratory students.

“We are honored to receive this award from an organization that serves as the standard bearer for student success,” says Eboni Pringle, Ph.D., dean of the University College at Kent State, who accepted the award during the recent 22nd National Conference on Students in Transition in Baltimore, Maryland. “The award would not be possible without the dedication of Steven Antalvari, Dr. Tracy Lara and our Exploratory Advisors. This award recognizes the importance of helping students make informed decisions about their purpose and future career. Additionally, the recognition demonstrates the value of collaboration and reaching across divisions to meet the needs of our students.”

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Learn more about the University College at Kent State.