Daemen’s Title III Strengthening Institution Grant: A Comprehensive, Integrated, and Ambitious Five Year Project

From the U.S. Department of Education Strengthening Institutions Program, Daemen College was awarded a Title III five-year grant to expand our capacity to serve low-income students, as well as improve and strengthen academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability.  Daemen’s Title III Plan includes:

Strategic Interventions and Academic Support for Students Identified as at Risk for Attrition

Summer Bridge, January Intersession, Academic Orientation, Extended Orientation, and academic major and career exploration.

Professional Development and Course Redesign Opportunities for Faculty

Workshops for faculty on high impact pedagogies, educational technologies, and advising; summer institutes on teaching and learning; summer contracts for course redesign, with an emphasis on "gateway" courses; travel to teaching and learning conferences.  

Daemen Title III website 

Increased Access to Instructional Technology

An advanced computer classroom will be designed and built in 2012-2013; 3D instructional technology will be available to faculty in all disciplines; funds for related instructional software and additional training will be provided.

Strengthening Student Information Systems and Data Access

Using data to track student progress and to target students at risk for academic supports and interventions. Additional training and support for faculty, administrators, and staff on the use of Daemen’s student information systems.

Strengthening Fiscal Stability

The Title III grant project will improve retention and graduation rates, resulting in increased revenue. As a result, new programs will be operationalized as ongoing programs to support student success. Over $300,000 in grant funds will be added to Daemen’s endowment, strengthening long-term investments to support college operations and scholarships.

Title III Project Goals

  • Increase persistence rates (measured by graduation within six years).
  • Increase retention rates (first year to second year).
  • Increase retention and persistence rates of underrepresented minority students.
  • Increase student success in math and science gateway courses.
  • Strengthen student writing skills.
  • Provide additional academic support for students who are identified as at-risk for attrition.
  • Strengthen the use of student information systems (e.g., Datatel Colleague and Hobsons Retain).
  • Continue to support faculty in use of high impact pedagogies and instructional technologies.
  • Increase fiscal stability through endowment growth and increased retention-driven enrollment revenues.