UASuccess Is Coming This Fall

On Monday, Aug. 19, the University of Arkansas will release UASuccess, a new online appointment scheduling and retention tool for faculty, staff and students.

To support students and increase retention and graduation rates, the university purchased Starfish Retention Solutions and renamed it "UASuccess" for our campus. The two main systems – Connect and Early Alert – will help the campus community participate in student success through automating student tracking, early alert, online appointment scheduling and assessment. UASuccess will be accessible through Blackboard, ISIS, or logging in directly to the system.

Through the Connect system, students will be able to schedule online appointments with academic advisers, scholarship advisers, and other support offices on campus that are using UASuccess. The Early Alert system will allow faculty and support staff to raise flags on students who appear to need additional help to be successful at the University of Arkansas. Faculty can raise flags that signal poor class attendance or unsatisfactory performance; they can also raise a kudos flag that congratulates students on doing well. Academic advisers and other staff on campus would also be available to raise flags on students for general or behavior concerns.  

"UASuccess will increase communication between faculty, advisers and other support staff with the goal to increase student success and persistence," said Ro DiBrezzo, vice provost for academic affairs. "Now when a faculty raises a flag about a student, the student and the appropriate support staff are notified. Notes, flags and kudos entered in UASuccess remain a part of the student's record even if they change majors."

Two of the key features for connecting students to the proper resources are the My Success Network and Success Network. The My Success Network will display the academic advisers and other key support staff such as a scholarship adviser for each individual student. The overall Success Network will be a list of all campus resources and contact information available to help students from Academic Scholarships Office, Pat Walker Health Center, Quality Writing Center, Career Center, and many more. 

The Division of Academic Affairs will be phasing in UASuccess over the next few semesters and expanding access to other support offices across campus. Training for academic advisers and supporting staff will take place the week of Aug. 12. Sessions will be scheduled for faculty in each college during September and early October. A website will also be available with resources to help faculty, staff, and students.

For more information about UASuccess, contact DiBrezzo at rdibrezz@uark.edu.