The UIA develops and implements initiatives that advance student success at scale, improving retention
and graduation rates. These initiatives are grounded in shared learning and continuous improvement,
allowing institutions to rapidly scale what works and drive system-wide transformation.
Featured Initiatives
Bridging the Gap from Education to Employment (BGEE)
BGEE invited students, employers, and career services units to redesign student support for career readiness. The goal was to ensure that students had meaningful career preparation experiences prior to graduation and could articulate them to employers. The initiative began in 2018 with the support of the Strada Education Network. Seven member universities participated.
In January 2019, a diverse team of UCR campus leaders, UCR’s Career Readiness Assessment Team (UCR CREATE), came together and used design thinking to answer the question: How can we better prepare first-generation, low-income students to transition to career? Two of the most important findings from conducting empathy interviews with approximately 170 students were that students seek career advice from faculty, and that first-generation and low-income students reported not dedicating time to career-related experiences due to competing commitments. The team launched the Summer Bridge Experience Internship Program in Summer 2020 and offered the program for three consecutive summers. Students without prior career-related experience were selected to work in multidisciplinary teams on real-world projects in partnership with employers and with career development support from the Career Center. Employer partners included the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Apple, and local small businesses. Students were paid and could work remotely to remove barriers. The program grew each year from 6 to 16 to 26 students engaged each summer. A post-program evaluation of the professional mentors indicated what made this pilot successful for the employer: Employers rated a 90% promoter score for the program recommendation. And, one employer mentor shared, “I have been working with interns and intern programs for over 25 years, and this is by far the best internship program I have ever participated in as a mentor.”
Emerging from the BGEE initiative’s focus on advancing career readiness, the Faculty Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series has become an institutionalized program that engages faculty as active partners in career development at UCR.
Academic Recovery
The Academic Recovery model was developed to mitigate the negative impact of DFW grades on students and enable their continued progress. Students who were unsuccessful in an academic attempt were recruited to receive comprehensive academic support to help them succeed on their second attempt through peer mentoring, peer tutoring, and supplemental instruction. In addition to the academic components, students received an educational grant. All of these resources were designed to alleviate burdens on the student, allowing them to focus on passing the foundational course and getting back on track toward degree completion.