作者：辛西娅·休伯特

2022年3月2日

A senior official in the U.S. Department of Education called 萨克拉门托 State’s success in dramatically raising graduation rates “incredible” and “inspiring” during his visit on Tuesday, March 1.

James Kvaal, under secretary of Education and the nation’s top official on policies affecting higher education, was on campus to learn more about the University’s successful campaign to boost on-time graduation and eliminate so-called equity gaps that impact students of color.

Kvaal said the University’s work is a model for other institutions to follow.

在与校园领导的一次会议上，Kvaal了解到自2016年以来，各种项目、政策和人员已经将四年毕业率提高了187%。 现在，大约26%的萨克州立大学学生在四年内毕业，而2016年这一比例为9%。 萨克州立大学还大幅缩小了性别差距，这种差距出现在传统上得不到充分教育的少数族裔学生的毕业率落后于其他学生的情况下。 该大学的目标是在三年内消除差距。

萨克州立大学校长罗伯特·s·尼尔森（Robert S. Nelsen）认为，教职员工和校园管理人员的努力为成功创造了机会。

“It takes all of us working together,” said Nelsen, who also lauded what he called the determination and resilience of 囊状态 students.

大学倡议和学生成功执行董事詹姆斯·德拉格纳（James Dragna）强调了Sac州立大学学生的多样性，他们中的大多数都有资格获得联邦佩尔助学金，超过30%的人是家里第一个上大学的人。 Most 囊状态 students are “from the area, and return to the area” after graduation to start their careers and raise families, he said.

德拉格纳说，学校已经向学生和他们的父母强调了及时毕业的经济效益，这可以让毕业生更快地进入劳动力市场，提高他们的赚钱能力，为个人和政府节省数千万美元。 Started in 2016, 囊状态’s Finish in Four and Through in Two initiatives – the University’s programs on behalf of 博彩平台’s 2025年毕业 initiative – are considered key factors.

Dragna identified as the heart of the successes a “culture change” the University has cultivated. More students than ever indicate that they want to graduate on time and believe they can with  tools 囊状态 provides, he said.

Kvaal questioned whether graduating in four years is realistic for all of the University’s students, many of whom have jobs and family responsibilities.

“Everyone deserves the chance” to do so, Nelsen replied, emphasizing that 囊状态’s approach is to “knock down administrative and financial barriers” to pave the way to a timely graduation.

在众多旨在帮助学生毕业的政策和项目中，Sac州立大学增加了数千门高需求课程，并取消了不能获得学分的补习课程。 该大学还自动为新生开设了15个学分的课程，使他们能够在四年内毕业。 它还扩大了助学金和其他激励措施，以允许更多的学生在夏季上课。  

校园社区的成员告诉Kvaal他们的努力，包括同伴指导和辅导，让不同背景和文化的学生感到他们是受欢迎的，属于这里。 Kvaal later visited 囊状态’s Serna Center, Dreamer Resource Center, and CAMP program, which offer resources to underrepresented students, including the undocumented.

生物学教授詹妮弗·伦德马克（Jennifer Lundmark）指导同伴辅助学习项目，她告诉Kvaal，教职员工正在努力鼓励STEM（科学、技术、工程和数学）学生之间的合作，而不是竞争。

Peer support, especially for students of color, helps create a “we’re all in this together” atmosphere, Lundmark said. “We’ve created a lovely environment.”

德拉格纳说，每一项努力，以及更多的努力，都促进了毕业率的飙升。 他说，现在牛津大学希望把重点放在留住那些可能辍学的学生上，并努力消除可能扰乱他们学业的障碍。

Kvaal offered high praise for 囊状态’s progress and pledged the government’s continuing support.

“What you’re doing here is so impressive,” he said, and “is really important to share with others. Everyone should look at it and ask, ‘Why aren’t we doing this?’ It’s really inspiring.”