Oct. 7, 2015

Contact Glena Temple at 608-796-3081 or ggtemple@viterbo.edu

VITERBO UNIVERSITY RECEIVES $2 MILLION DEPARMTENT OF EDUCATION GRANT FOR IMPROVING STUDENT SUCCESS

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Viterbo University has received a $2 million Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will support initiatives designed to improve student success. 

“The grant is the largest in Viterbo’s history,” said Viterbo Vice President for Institutional Advancement Wendell Snodgrass, who is responsible for grant activities at the university. “This is excellent news for Viterbo University and its students.”

The Strengthening Institutions Program grant will be used to provide the latest technology in student data and advising, retention and student support training for faculty and administrators, and the implementation of proactive career and at-risk academic advising models.

“We are honored to receive the grant from the Department of Education to support our commitment to student success at Viterbo University,” said Viterbo University President Rick Artman. “The additional resources will facilitate our institutional priorities identified in the strategic plan to improve retention and graduation rates of at-risk students, and increase the number of high impact practices offered for our students.”

In recent years, Viterbo has implemented a number of initiatives to enhance student success. The grant funds, provided over five years, will enable the Viterbo Center for Student Success to integrate efforts and respond to individual student needs more effectively.

Forty-four percent of undergraduate students at Viterbo University are first-generation college students, and 40 percent receive federal Pell grants for tuition assistance.

“Viterbo University has a long history of educating underserved students in our region,” said Glena Temple, Viterbo vice president for academic affairs and project director for the grant. “This grant will support our efforts and provide resources to promote student success.”

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