Student Success and Retention

Student Success and Retention plays a critical role in ensuring that all students have the opportunity, support, and resources they need to thrive academically, socially, and personally—from enrollment to graduation.

Our mission is to foster an inclusive and supportive campus environment that empowers students to achieve their academic goals, persist through challenges, and graduate prepared for meaningful lives and careers.

Our Programs and Student Impact

Summer Transition Program

In order to enhance student success and increase degree attainment, the Summer Transition Program (STP) prepares first-year admitted students for Northeastern Illinois University college level coursework. STP develops the skills needed when beginning classes in the fall semester and builds a foundation for a successful academic and social transition.

Placement Testing

Placement testing is a critical first step in supporting student success, as it ensures students enroll in courses that align with their current skill levels in subjects such as math, reading, and writing. Accurate placement helps prevent students from becoming overwhelmed in courses that are too advanced or disengaged in courses that do not challenge them, ultimately saving time and tuition costs. It also connects students early to academic support resources if needed, setting clear expectations and building confidence before classes begin. By completing placement testing on time, students position themselves for a stronger start, improved retention and a more efficient path toward their degree. Students can take placement exams on campus or online. On campus placement testing is available at the Main Campus, El Centro and the Carruthers Center.

Orientation

New student Orientation is a critical first step in helping students successfully transition into higher education, as it introduces them to academic expectations, campus resources, support services and community standards while fostering a sense of belonging. Orientation helps students build early connections with peers, faculty and staff, which increases confidence and engagement from the very beginning. It also ensures students understand key processes such as registration, financial aid, advising and technology systems, reducing confusion and preventing common first-semester setbacks. Ultimately, a well-designed orientation lays the foundation for academic success, retention and overall student satisfaction by equipping students with the knowledge and relationships they need to thrive.

NEIUStar

NEIUStar is an important student success tool because it allows NEIU staff and faculty to get to know students and allows them to quickly identify and support students who may be experiencing academic or personal challenges before those issues become barriers to completion. Through resource awareness, early alerts, progress surveys and coordinated outreach, students receive timely communication, advising, tutoring referrals and other targeted resources that keep them on track. 

Project Success

Project Success is an academic support services program that has historically and continues to serve African-American or first generation college students. Students receive guidance and support from academic advisors until the requirements to declare a major are met and/or four semesters have transpired since the student enrolled at NEIU. In addition, the program offers integral information about transitioning and excelling in college, via three credit hour academic transition course (one class) taught by Project Success advisors. This course complements the program’s objectives to provide personal and academic support services designed to increase scholastic achievement and persistence towards graduation.

Proyecto Pa’lante

Proyecto Pa’Lante's mission is to increase Latinx student access to and success in higher education at NEIU. The program does this through a holistic and culturally relevant approach to enhance student learning, intercultural competencies and leadership development through excellent programs and services that create a strong University support network for Latinx students transitioning to, and within, Northeastern Illinois University.