South Carolina State University (SC State) has received a $583,920 grant from the Partnership for Education Advancement (Ed Advancement) to support student success and retention efforts.
The grant award links SC State with four technology-sector vendors that will provide software, hardware, and training to help track student progress and graduation rates; implement data analysis tools; enhance Banner, the university’s student information system (SIS); update cybersecurity measures; and purchase and install computer network improvements.
“SC State is moving toward a total transformation of the campus technology infrastructure that will holistically improve the student experience,” said Manicia Finch, the university’s vice president for enrollment management. “Ed Advancement has embraced assisting SC State with change by providing resources to support increasing enrollment through robust student engagement platforms, such as SLATE, ZeeMee, CampusESP, and A.I. Chatbot through Mainstay.”
SC State noted in a press release that Ed Advancement has also provided SC State with funding for the StarRez housing registration/communication platform, text messaging for communication campaigns, and funding to improve enrollment processes with the new SLATE for Graduate School implementation.
“As the university’s transformation officer, it is humbling for me to continue to build on our relationship with Ed Advancement and support President Alexander Conyers’ vision to move the university forward,” Finch said.
University President Alexander Conyers said in a statement that Ed Advancement and its corporate partners “have been crucial to SC State’s success during the recent push to increase enrollment and maximize the university’s reach.”
“With applications coming at a record pace and admissions brimming at capacity, we are focused now on finding better ways support students through to completion of their degrees,” Conyers said. “This latest grant from Ed Advancement will give us the data and technology to facilitate more student success.”
Among other projects, the grant award will help SC State implement new business intelligence dashboards to assist in student enrollment, retention, and graduation efforts. Funding will also provide for upgrades to the university’s student information system, including needed cybersecurity upgrades. The university has also secured needed funding to help expand broadband connectivity across the campus.
