Seminole State College’s graduation rate has surpassed every community college in the state, save one, largely due to its recent Student Success Initiative.

In each of the three years of the Student Success Initiative, SSC accomplished its goal of increasing graduation rates by three percent per year over the previous three-year average. At the outset of the initiative, SSC’s graduation rate averaged 23 percent for the preceding three years.

According to data reported by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, SSC’s graduation rate rose to 27 percent in year one, 35 percent in year two and 39 percent in year three of the initiative. The IPEDS data shows the most recent first-time, full-time cohort reported was nearly double those of the cohort reported five years earlier.

Retention rates have also increased from 54 percent to 63 percent during the initiative.

“The faculty and staff are committed to maintaining the upward trajectory of our graduation and retention rates. With that in mind, we are striving toward continuing increases to retention and graduation rates by three percent a year toward our five-year goal of reaching 70 percent retention and 50 percent graduation rates,”

Dr. Tom Mills, SSC Vice President of Academic Affairs

The college officially branded and kicked off the initiative in the fall of 2015.

The overarching goal of the Student Success Initiative was to build a campus culture that honors the standard of access to higher education and academic excellence, while providing a campus-wide focus on student engagement, completion and achievement.

“This initiative was successful due to the passion for student success demonstrated by the faculty and staff of SSC. Our professionals truly care about students and put their passion into action every single day.”

Dr. Tom Mills