{"id":70754,"date":"2017-11-13T10:32:12","date_gmt":"2017-11-13T20:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=70754"},"modified":"2021-03-31T12:27:12","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T22:27:12","slug":"uh-manoa-wins-aplu-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2017\/11\/13\/uh-manoa-wins-aplu-award\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa wins national award for increase in four-year grad rate"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

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The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa<\/a> received national recognition for its successful efforts in increasing its four year graduation rate. The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities<\/a> (APLU) presented UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa with the 2017 Project Degree Completion Award on November 12 at a Washington, D.C. meeting.<\/p>\n

The award honors institutions using innovative strategies or programs to increase retention and graduation. An initiative launched in 2007 by UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa led to an 84 percent increase in the four-year graduation rate from 2010 to 2016. During that period, the graduation rate for first-time, full-time students went from 17.5 percent to a record high 32 percent.<\/p>\n

“Public universities are working hard to substantially increase the number of students who don\u2019t just enroll in college, but actually make it across the finish line and earn all the benefits a college education provides,” said APLU<\/abbr> President Peter McPherson. “The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa has made significant strides in student retention and graduation over the last decade. We\u2019re thrilled to highlight their efforts so other institutions can draw lessons from their success.”<\/p>\n

McPherson is planning on visiting the M\u0101noa campus to meet with university leaders, students and external stakeholders to celebrate the school\u2019s role as a national leader in developing innovative programs to increase retention and graduation.<\/p>\n

“Being recognized as the best in the country is a fantastic affirmation of the effectiveness of the work of our faculty and leadership team to focus on student success,” said Interim UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Chancellor David Lassner<\/strong><\/a>. “Increasing degree completion is essential for Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>\u2019s future and advances the hopes and dreams of our students and their families across the islands.”<\/p>\n