Letter from the President

Dear Alumni and Friends of the University,

The phrase “student success” is uttered so often in higher education circles that it can seem nothing more than a buzzword. Yet it is the very essence of what we aim to accomplish at Worcester State — enabling every student to proceed from first-year to the commencement stage.

Exactly how we do that has varied over time, as students’ needs and best practices both have changed. Some programs are tried and true, however. Our Alternatives for Individual Development program, out of the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), is a summer bridge program for determined first-generation and low-income students, or those from underrepresented backgrounds. “I didn’t know what to expect, but those six weeks changed my life,” Urban Studies major Eva Diaz said recently, adding it provided her with a sense of purpose and encouragement. She is on track to graduate in 2027.

The OMA is also overseeing the re-establishment of another historically successful program known as TRIO. With a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the TRIO initiative will support academic success for low-income and first-generation students and those with disabilities. First-Year Seminar (FYS) is another way we build student resilience. Today, more faculty are teaching FYS courses, and an FYS Peer Mentor program has been re-activated. Through the program, peer mentor Abigail Vincent notes she’s able to “model what resilience looks like — showing up, staying focused, and learning to bounce back together. It’s about building trust and helping them believe they belong here.”

Such programs complement services offered through the Counseling Center and offices of Retention, Student Success, Student Accessibility, Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, and Student Involvement and Leadership Development (OSILD). These offices have also evolved to meet shifting needs. One example: the OSILD has overhauled the first-year orientation program, extending it beyond Opening Day and well into the academic year, with deeper connections to faculty and FYS.

Our goal in all of this is to provide the most comprehensive and personalized services possible, reducing the barriers that negatively impact student achievement. The results have been significant: In recent years, the percentage of students who continue their education from term to term has climbed to roughly 87%. This is quite an achievement. 

Yet coordinating these services for each student would result in additional gains. To do this, we’ve already lined up resources from the state and elsewhere, and we look forward to attracting additional support for these efforts from our donor community. 

“Student success” is no buzzword at Worcester State. Since we launched “Succeed in Four” about 15 years ago, it’s something we’ve pursued diligently, across divisions and departments, a common goal that unites us.

Sincerely,
Barry M. Maloney
President