two students walking in front of Cabell Library

National Institute for Student Success Implementation at VCU

During the 2023-2024 academic year VCU partnered with the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of our student success practices. President Rao charged our community with fully implementing the NISS recommendations in an expeditious manner. During the 2024-2025 academic year, an implementation steering committee and seven work groups were launched to implement the playbook recommendations.

Moving into year two of implementation a NISS leadership team has been charged with implementing the remaining deliverables.

View the May 2024 presentation by Dr. Tim Renick, executive director of the NISS

View the NISS written report

April 2025 steering committee slides

 

NISS Timeline

Milestones

  • Spring 2024 - NISS delivers final written report
  • Summer 2024 - Steering committee and work groups kick-off
  • Fall 2024 - Research and data collection
  • Spring 2025 - Develop implementation plans
  • Summer 2025 - Hire and onboard new staff to support NISS initiatives
  • Fall 2025 - Launch NISS initiatives (i.e, SmartPlan, transition advising team, student success financial team, journey mapping/communications plan)
  • Spring 2026 - On-going metrics monitoring and evaluation