1. Student Success Overview Central Washington University
Dr. Gail Mackin
Associate Provost, Undergraduate and Faculty Affairs
Dr. Aaron Brown
Associate Dean, Student Development and Achievement
December 4, 2018
House Higher Education Committee

2. CWU’s Student Success Profile
Whom Does CWU Serve?
50% are first in their family to go to college
33% are people of color
50% transferred from a community or technical college
40% are Pell-eligible
More students from King County than all of eastern Washington combined
Emerging Challenges for Student Success
Changing demographics with diverse and complex needs
Dramatic increase in mental and behavioral health needs

3. Annual Investment in Student Success
8 Advisors
$82,250 wages + benefits
$658,000
Student Retention & Success Platform
$54,000
Graduate Assistant
$20,000 wages + waiver
$20,000
Advisor Training & Programming
$18,000
TOTAL
$750,000

4. Increasing Degree Completion 2014 – 2017
CWU is producing more bachelor’s degrees:
6% increase in total undergraduate degrees awarded
CWU is cutting time to degree:
34% increase in number of undergraduate degrees earned in four years or less
CWU is serving more students: 
Entering first-year students increased by 52% from 1,347 to 2,102

5. Emerging Barrier to Student Success: Mental & Behavioral Health
243% increase in counseling center clients since 2013
75% increase in mental health-distress referrals since 2015
Wait time of 1 – 2 weeks for counseling
6200 individual and group counseling appointments served last year
NO psychiatrists in Kittitas County

6. Critical Mental Health Support CWU seeks $2
Critical Mental Health Support CWU seeks $2.5 million to address mental health that threatens student retention, persistence, and overall academic success
1. Hire counseling staff and case managers Enhance capacity and efficiency of CWU counseling staff; reduce referral of students to limited community resources 2. Create master’s-level practicum that provides counseling services to students and community 3. Hire a psychiatrist to address complex behavioral and mental health issues 4. Launch a public information campaign to educate the public about mental health symptoms and services

7. Questions?
Contact Information
Dr. Gail Mackin
Dr. Aaron Brown