Central State University commits to Six Pillars of Access to help students reach higher and achieve more

Central State University is not merely a campus of learning; it is a springboard for dreams, a sanctuary where ambition meets opportunity. With unwavering commitment, we have embraced the Six Pillars of Access as our guiding light, a testament to our promise to nurture every student’s journey toward excellence.  

At the heart of our mission lies a deep-seated belief in personal connection. We do not just enroll students; we forge relationships that empower them from day one. We ensure each student feels seen, heard, and supported through proactive outreach and tailored support. It’s about more than academics. We are fostering an environment where personal growth thrives alongside scholarly achievement.  

From the moment students enter Central State, barriers dissolve. Our commitment to accessibility means eliminating hurdles that can impede progress. Whether through streamlined admissions processes or robust financial aid initiatives, we pave the way for every student to step confidently into their future.  

Preparing students to lead the way 

Learning is not confined to the classroom at Central State; it is a lifelong pursuit fueled by opportunity. With structured pathways and hands-on mentorship, we guide our students toward meaningful degrees that resonate in today’s job market. We aim to ensure that every course, every assignment, contributes to both academic success and real-world readiness.  

Central State is not just refocusing efforts but making significant strides in improving students’ academic and personal success. The Six Pillars of Access are connect, convert, enter, learn, retain, and complete. The pillars are a testament to our commitment to the success of our students and the growth and long-term sustainability of the Institution.  

Our evidence-based student success processes include:  

• Proactive outreach.  
• Comprehensive support for first-time students.  
• Strategies to maximize student progression.  
• A commitment to identifying and reducing student risks.  

We also offer targeted interventions, academic guidance, and tailored communications to support our students every step of the way.   

Academic Affairs: Realignment to empower  

Retention is not just a statistic here but a testament to our dedication. We provide comprehensive support, from early interventions to career networking, ensuring that each student’s journey is met with encouragement and resources to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.  

As part of the Six Pillars initiative, the University recently announced the merger of two of its esteemed colleges. The College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHAS) and the College of Education (COE) are combining forces to create the newly minted College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education (CHASE). Interim Dean Dr. Lillian Drakeford will lead it.   

Dr. Amy Hobbs Harris, whose leadership exemplifies our values, is the former dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and was recently appointed interim provost. She best captures our spirit: 

“Central State University’s commitment to student success is grounded in our Six Pillars of Access. We’re not just educating; we’re empowering our students to reach higher and achieve more. Here, success isn’t just an aspiration; it’s an expectation.”  

At Central State University, we aim to provide a supportive and enriching environment that empowers students to thrive and succeed. Vice Provost of Access & Enrollment Management Dr. Arletha McSwain noted the University progressed in the campus-wide initiative under the leadership of Interim President Dr. Alex Johnson, whose contract ended on July 1. Dr. Morakinyo Kuti has taken the helm as the 10th President. 

“This initiative, which is centered around the needs of our students, is a testament to our commitment to their success,” McSwain said. “Our initiative begins with Connect, Convert, and Enter, the core principles of our Access & Enrollment Management, which houses offices such as Admissions, Financial Aid, First-Year and Second-Year Student Success, and the Registrar. Each of these areas are led by exemplary directors and their staff.”   

Each CSU faculty and staff member embraces the Six Pillars of Access:    

• Connect through innovative strategies that emphasize personal and individual associations.   
• Convert through ongoing communications and touchpoints.   
• Enter the Institution without customer service or institutional barriers.   
• Learn through innovative pedagogy in the classroom and beyond.   
• Retain by providing opportunities and incentives for engagement, internships, and mentoring.   
• Complete in three to four years with a degree that has labor market value, i.e., leads to immediate employment in degree areas.    

Evidence-based student success processes   

Outreach and onboarding will engage prospective and accepted students through summer interventions, which include academic preparation courses, mentorships, and scholarship programs.    

Image

Central State University takes a proactive and comprehensive approach to support our first-time students as they enter the path to academic success. We offer inquisitive and compulsory programs, ensuring comprehensive assistance throughout their first year and a half of college.   

The recently launched strategy is already paying off dividends for new first-time freshmen (NFTF). As of June 22, Central State registered about 400 NFTF who paid their confirmation fees, signifying their commitment to study at Ohio’s only public Historically Black University and 1890 Land-Grant Institution. It is a 1,718% increase over the same period in 2023 when only 22 students had confirmed their attendance.  

Higher enrollment is forging ahead despite widespread challenges related to the federal government’s rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is causing significant delays in institutions of higher education confirming financial aid award amounts for students.   

Central States projects its NFTF cohort to reach 600 before the start of the fall semester.   

Mitchell Dedor, director of the Office of Financial Aid, attributed the unprecedented boost to the Institution’s proactive approach to connecting with students.  

At Central State University, we are dedicated to maximizing student progression through valuable learning. We address DFW rates (the proportion of students who receive a “D” or “F” grade or who withdraw), implement program redesign (which involves revising curriculum and teaching methods to meet student needs better), and provide supplemental instruction and tutoring, all aimed at fostering academic success.   

We are committed to identifying and reducing student financial and personal risks, both emotional and financial, to retain more students and help them complete their degrees in three to four years. But our commitment to student success extends beyond that. 

We provide community-specific services and resources, ensuring students from historically underserved populations have the support they need to thrive at Central State University.    

When considering how students complete their degrees, we recognize graduation is the beginning of a new chapter. At Central State, degrees are passports to success. We’re committed to equipping our graduates with the skills and confidence to thrive, ensuring their education opens doors and accelerates careers.  

Our high-quality, targeted interventions include advising, early alerts, and case management. We optimize academic success through guided pathways and career networking, providing opportunities to develop leadership and organizational skills and participate in activities that develop social and personal abilities.    

As Central State University embarks on this transformative journey guided by our Six Pillars of Access, we are not just shaping futures; we are igniting possibilities. With each new initiative and every student’s success story, we reaffirm our commitment to excellence and inclusivity. Together, we’re building a community where dreams take flight, and every student is empowered to reach higher and achieve more. Join us at Central State University, where success is not just a destination — it’s a journey we embark on together, today and every day.