UH gets national honor for raising graduation rate

The University of Hawaii at Manoa has been singled out for a national award for its success in raising its four-year graduation rate.

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities named UH Manoa the winner of its 2017 Project Degree Completion Award on Sunday during its annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

“Public universities are working hard to substantially increase the number of students who don’t just enroll in college, but actually make it across the finish line and earn all the benefits a college education provides,” association President Peter McPherson said.

“The University of Hawaii at Manoa has made significant strides in student retention and graduation over the last decade,” he said. “We’re thrilled to highlight their efforts so other institutions can draw lessons from their success.”

UH Manoa raised its four-year graduation rate for first-time, full-time students by 83 percent between 2010 and 2016. The number started low, at 17.5 percent, and reached a record high of 32 percent in 2016.

The university’s Student Engagement, Retention and Graduation Plan was key to that effort. It included more than 30 initiatives to enhance the student experience, including mandatory academic advising, an online audit system to help students stay on track and smoother transitions from UH community colleges.

“Being recognized as the best in the country is a fantastic affirmation of the work of our faculty and leadership team to focus on student success,” UH Manoa Interim Chancellor David Lassner said.