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The Degree Progression Team coordinates data-driven outreach efforts in support of undergraduate student retention and graduation. The team provides campus-wide leadership and coordination around consistent proactive advising to targeted populations, regardless of major or program.
Degree Progression also leads direct enrollment outreach (text and email) to students who miss the priority registration window and administers the disbursement of “just-in-time” continuation grants to support the persistence of students with financial need.
To support this work, the team develops best practices for advising and outreach communication to students, as well as data standards for advising contact tracking, and it provides leadership in the implementation of EAB Navigate360 and the UO’s new degree audit system, Ducks on Track.
individual students received coordinated advising across 13 UO advising units
in continuation and completion grant funds awarded
of students who received enrollment outreach registered after outreach
Continuation and Completion Grants
This year, Degree Progression ran two continuation and one completion grant cycles over winter and spring term to support retention or summer graduation. The combined $224,191 disbursed was more than double the funds awarded the previous year.
Continuation grant funds were awarded to students with financial need and a balance that would prohibit them from registering for the following term. Completion grants were awarded to cover the cost of tuition and fees for students encountering a financial barrier for graduation during summer term 2024. Completion grant recipients were recommended by advisors in PathwayOregon, CMAE, and TRIO SSS.
Student Testimonials
“This grant means I can take the courses I need for next year and register on time. As a first-generation student who has no idea how to navigate through this, I’m slowly figuring it out and this grant is helping me.”
- Talia Gutierrez, Freshman in Psychology
"This grant has not only provided much-needed assistance but also restored my motivation and peace of mind. Knowing that there are resources available has renewed my excitement for attending school, reassuring me that I have support and am not facing these challenges alone."
- Sara Arzate, Sophomore in Political Science
Ducks on Track Launch
Degree Progression represented UESS in the development and launch of a new degree audit system, Ducks on Track, for all undergraduate students at UO. The cross-divisional project is a key student success initiative to assist with the university’s timely graduation efforts.
Pre-launch, the team worked to ensure the proper set-up, adoption, and utilization for students and advisors. That work included 150 hours of functional training and configuration, and communication with or review of material and roles and trainings of 48 other institutions using the Degree Works software.
Improving “Navigate” Advising Technology
Degree Progression added an advising technology manager position in 2023, who serves as the administrator for the Navigate advising tool for UO. Since then, she has:
- Met with 10 advising unit leads to discuss their Navigate workflow and their requests for improvement;
- Implemented 84 workflow, troubleshooting, and wishlist improvements as a result of those meetings and follow-up conversations;
- Conducted 5 synchronous Navigate training sessions for advisors and other staff.
- Co-created a Navigate training module in IntroDUCKtion Canvas course for new students.
- Reviewed Navigate permissions for 180 student employees and removed access, as appropriate.
Moving into next year, the advising technology manager will deliver an asynchronous four-part training course for onboarding of new staff users for fall term 2024, expand the tool’s use to non-advising units, and support students and units in utilizing Forage, a new job simulation platform available in Navigate.