Experienced Academic Adviser Named to Lead New Office of Graduation and Retention

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Trevor Francis.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Trevor Francis, the director of the advising center in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences since 2010, has been named associate vice provost in the newly created Office of Graduation and Retention at the University of Arkansas, effective Sept. 15.

Francis will lead the university’s effort to insure that a greater number of U of A students are able to stay in school and graduate. The university currently has a six-year graduation rate of 60 percent. Chancellor G. David Gearhart has set a goal to increase that rate to 70 percent by the year 2021.

“Trevor Francis has the skills and the background to truly excel in this position,” said Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Improving graduation and retention is a part of everyone’s job on campus — we need faculty and staff to think it is their responsibility. Trevor will harness and support all of the efforts on campus. He is the point guard, moving us forward.”

The Office of Graduation and Retention will serve as an institution-wide catalyst for initiating, implementing and reviewing goals and actions to increase graduation and retention rates. It falls under the enrollment management division of Academic Affairs, which reports to the provost.

“The committee did a great job in selecting Trevor Francis for this key position,” said Suzanne McCray, vice provost for enrollment management and dean of admissions.  “The university has come a long way in improving our graduation rates, and there are many dedicated, talented people doing great work on campus now. Dr. Francis will help us consolidate and build on our successes and move them forward.”

Francis is an alumnus of the U of A, with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a master’s in communication from Fulbright College and a doctorate in higher education leadership from the College of Education and Health Professions.

He began working in the Fulbright College advising center in 2004 as an academic adviser and assistant director of pre-professional studies, became the associate director of the center in 2007 and served as interim director and then director in 2010. In that position he led a team of 12 full-time advisers providing academic services for approximately 7,000 undergraduates in a Fulbright College; coordinated the transition from a two- to a four-year advising center; created an eight-week adviser development program; integrated advising services across campus, including in the offices of Admissions, University Housing, the Veterans Resource and Information Center, the Global Campus, the student orientation program and Razorback Athletics; conducted ongoing advising research to enhance advising services; worked with the Fulbright Dean’s Office to implement retention and graduation initiatives; and advised approximately 100-150 students per semester.

“I wholeheartedly agree with Provost Sharon Gaber that focusing on retention and graduation is the right thing to do for the university, for our students and for the state of Arkansas,” Francis said. “I believe that as a campus community, if we are intentional about aligning our students’ success efforts and there are many in place, we will continue to see an increase in our graduation rates. I am honored and pleased to be given the opportunity to embrace this challenge, working with talented people in Enrollment Services and across the campus.”

Francis has also served on the provost’s Academic Advising Council, where he is chair-elect, the University Perspectives Committee, and as a volunteer with U of A Full Circle Food Pantry.

His most recent award include the University Outstanding Advising Award in 2010 from the U of A Academic Advising Council, and that same year he was named 2010 Region VII Outstanding Academic Advisor by the National Academic Advising Association.

The university’s total number of graduates per year, which is linked to graduation rates, has increased significantly. Read more about the graduation numbers.