National Student Success Initiative Comes to UMW
The University of Mary Washington is one of 35 colleges selected to lead an “Advancing Student Success: Strategic Prioritization for Student Success” initiative this fall 2026. The project extends from the Council of Public Liberal Art Colleges (COPLAC) as UMW joins a cohort of 10 member institutions through a competitive grant process.
The fall semester project will facilitate an analysis of institutional data to identify key areas of strength, improvements, and priorities in conjunction with UMW’s 2026-31 strategic action plan.
The Sensemaking & Strategic Prioritization framework is a collaborative initiative delivered in partnership with the Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education with support from the Gates Foundation. Participation provides UMW access to a structured, evidence‑based process designed to help campus leaders set priorities, strengthen academic pathways and improve student learning, persistence and completion.
As part of the initiative, institutions receive customized reports, facilitated sensemaking sessions, a strategic prioritization plan, and an implementation roadmap aligned with the Gardner Institute’s Six Transformation Principles. The initiative at UMW is led by Institutional Research and Effectiveness, Student Affairs, and Academic Success and Integrity, with input from numerous staff and faculty on campus.
Staff and faculty leaders with roles central to the student experience on campus will be invited to participate in surveys and activities related to the project. Be on the lookout for survey emails from Institutional Research and Effectiveness and more information!
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