The UAB SUCCESS Initiative is entering a carefully designed, two-phase implementation process focused on delivering meaningful, measurable improvements to the student experience.

Phase I will focus on executing plans that offer high impact, ensuring early wins and visible progress. It will officially launch in the fall semester and continue through August 2026.

Phase II begins early next year and marks the time the Executive Steering Committee will assess progress, gather feedback, and refine the next set of priorities to ensure continued alignment with strategic goals and student needs.

This phased approach is designed to drive strategic, impactful results while staying responsive to student and institutional needs.

Where we began

Work began on the SUCCESS Initiative in February 2025. Seven initial working groups prepared their workplans and presented to the Executive Steering Committee as well as colleagues at the 5th Annual Student SUCCESS Summit in May 2025.

The response was overwhelming: More than 340 comments and suggestions were submitted, affirming the direction of the action plans and offering valuable insights that helped refine the action plans further.

Where we’re going

Since then, the Executive Steering Committee has reviewed each plan and feedback, identifying key similarities and opportunities to streamline efforts. As a result, the original working groups were consolidated into four larger, thematic groups:

• Student Recruitment and Enrollment Growth
• Student Engagement, Retention and Student Success
• Infrastructure & Data Driven Decision Making
• Policy and Program Enhancements

This strategic restructuring is designed to:

• Streamline operations and reduce duplication of efforts, promote cross-functional collaboration, and better align resources with strategic priorities.
• Utilize those with decision-making authority in their units who are equipped to collaborate across departments to drive progress.

These four thematic working groups have since met and proposed new members representing the related areas where implementation will occur.

“This spirit of collaboration is evident in every detail of the working group plans,” said John Jones III, Ph.D., vice president for Student Affairs. “These faculty, staff and students from across campus embraced feedback with openness, shaping strategies that are thoughtful, measurable and student-focused. These plans aim not only to strengthen academic outcomes but also to enrich every aspect of the UAB student experience.”

Early successes

Already, several key initiatives have been implemented to strengthen student success.

• Scholarship amounts have been increased and strategically adjusted to better support students.
• In collaboration with the Council of Academic Advisors, the timeline for initial advisor contact has been shifted to the spring of students’ senior year of high school, fostering early connections and enabling earlier course registration.
• To provide students with greater flexibility and informed decision-making, the course drop date has been extended by five weeks — moving this fall’s deadline to Oct. 8.
• For the first time at UAB, the fall 2025 incoming class has access to an additional tier of support for students at risk of not being retained, including academic coaching through Blazer Boost and resources offered by Blazing Start.
• In addition, two SUCCESS Champions from across campus have been recognized for their exceptional commitment to supporting students. The nomination for the third-quarter SUCCESS Champion is open through Sept. 1.

“As we look ahead, the SUCCESS Initiative continues to be rooted in collaboration, guided by evidence and focused on what matters most — our students,” said Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Janet Woodruff-Borden, Ph.D. “Together, we are building a foundation that will not only enrich their experience today but shape their future success for years to come.”