Student Success in an Era of Constraint

This report examines how colleges and universities are approaching student success at a time of growing accountability for retention and completion. Drawing on responses from 500 student success leaders, it explores the priorities shaping institutional strategy, the barriers limiting progress, the practices leaders believe have the greatest impact, and the role technology and AI can play in helping institutions better support students.

The findings point to a consistent theme across institutions. Leaders broadly agree on what it takes to improve student success, including proactive outreach, coordinated support, and better use of data. Yet many colleges continue to face staffing shortages, budget constraints, organizational silos, and increasing expectations for student outcomes, making it difficult to deliver those strategies consistently and at scale.