Project 2020 at the University of Michigan-Flint received a big boost with the announcement of a three-year, $3.6 million grant from the university that will dramatically increase the number of academic advisers on the UM-Flint campus.
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The grant, approved by President Mark Schlissel, will help to reduce the adviser-to-student ratio from 1-to-390 to less than 1-to-200. This strategic initiative will help address second- and third-year student retention goals as well as the goal of increasing six-year graduation rates at UM-Flint from 40 percent to 60 percent.
UM-Flint Chancellor Deba Dutta expressed appreciation for the support of the president and the Board of Regents, stating that this move will make a critical difference for students.
“This funding represents a paradigm shift for academic advising at UM-Flint,” Dutta said. “Increasing the number of highly qualified advising professionals will provide our students with an important resource ensuring they achieve their educational goals in a timely fashion.”
The hiring of the first cohort of new advisers is underway. The recruitment under this initiative will continue by cohorts and by the end of 2021, 20 new advisers will be on staff and working with students on their paths toward graduation.
Dutta announced the initial components of Project 2020 at the Chancellor’s Town Hall on Jan. 22. The ambitious, multiyear action plan addresses recruitment and retention initiatives, including the establishment of a new School of Technology. Project 2020 is designed to help the university flourish “at the speed of students” and will incorporate the ideas and efforts of the campus community.
