The Sarah Tudon Legacy Initiative
Introduction
The Center for Student Success provides all students with a variety of high-impact learning strategies and personalized services that address academic and career goals, and personal concerns. The center strives for excellence in its advising, tutoring, instruction, and academic support services. These services combine to help students discover their potential to excel in a university setting and guide them on their journey from first-year Javelinas to Forever Javelinas.
Overview
To support first-year student retention and long-term academic success through The Center for Student Success, we propose the launch of The Sarah Tudon Legacy Initiative that begins immediately after the New Student Orientation. The program addresses key factors contributing to early student attrition. This program represents a proactive, strengths-based intervention designed to set students on a path toward persistence, performance, and personal development.
Purpose
- Engage first-year students before academic challenges arise.
- Guide students through self-discovery, career exploration, financial literacy, and campus integration.
- Equip students with strategies for resilience, time management, and goal setting.
- Build community and a support network through intentional group experiences and one-on-one coaching.
By focusing on holistic student development, this program increases students’ confidence, connectedness, and capacity to succeed.
Program Goals
- Increase retention rates for first-year students, especially those identified as at-risk.
- Enhance students' sense of belonging and connection to campus resources and peer networks.
- Strengthen academic motivation and growth mindset through proactive coaching and support.
- Support early career and major exploration to promote goal alignment and commitment.
- Promote financial well-being through literacy sessions and access to financial aid and scholarship resources to ensure they have a plan to pay their tuition, room, board, etc.
Suggested At-Risk Target Populations
- First-Generation Students
- Admitted By Committee
- Nontraditional Students
- Students fluent in languages other than English
- Demonstrated Financial Need
Incentives for Student Participation
- Book voucher or scholarship upon completion of all program milestones
- Certificate of Completion and digital badge for résumés and LinkedIn
- Incentives (tuition credit, meal plan support, tech gear)
- Exclusive invitations to networking events, employer panels, and skill-building workshops
- Letter of recommendation for future scholarships, internships, or leadership roles