Make the Grade

“That first semester of college can be a real struggle, because it’s your first time away from home and there’s so much to manage–school, social life, just being on your own. When I started college, I didn’t know if I was going to make it to the end of my college career, but having faculty and staff who were really there for me and believed in me felt like I had a team on my side. The Making the Grade initiative is kind of like that, too–it’s supporting students, giving them a fresh start, and is all about your school believing in you.”   

Riana Teixeira, UMPI Social Work major

At UMPI, we’re committed to student success.

That’s why we’re piloting a new effort–the Make the Grade Student Success Initiative. With it, all first-year, full-time undergraduate students who do not pass a course during the Fall semester will have the opportunity to re-take the course–at no charge– to get back on the path to success.
Why are we doing this?
Because the data shows that when first-year, full-time students in the University of Maine System get an “F” grade in the fall, only about 40% of them return the following year. That is too many students abandoning their college goals because they didn’t think they could succeed.
How does it work?
For more information about the Make the Grade Student Success Initiative, view the University of Maine System press release about it here.