Transforming Student Success: A Strategic Approach at Syracuse University

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Article Abstract

Related Issue:

SEMQ Volume 12, Issue 4 (January 2025)

The following article discusses Syracuse University’s process to overhaul advising practices to better serve students. The initiative included improving advisor training and coordinating advising across all schools and colleges as well as integrating advising with career services. The process engaged the university’s strategic plan goals of serving the whole student as well as sustaining an inclusive campus environment.

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Topics

Leadership, Student Success

Article Type

SEMQ Article

Professional Proficiency

Enrollment Management

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Author(s)

Kalpana (Kal) Srinivas, Ph.D., is Director of Retention and Student Success at
Syracuse University. As part of SU’s larger commitment to creating an
inclusive student body, Dr. Srinivas works with all schools, colleges, and
divisions to further the ideals of supporting all students with the
underpinning concept being that all students receive the individualized
services and support necessary for their success through graduation. She
assists campus stakeholders in thinking critically, analytically and
creatively to meet the needs of a diverse student population, through
programs, services and efforts. She supports success of all students by
working collaboratively to identify areas of needed change that would increase
student success and retention, discovering what causes attrition, developing
recommendations, in addition to alternating systems and procedures to increase
retention.

Dr. Srinivis provides leadership and strategic direction for designated
co-curricular and functional units, as well as across all schools and colleges
to expand the University’s visibility and reach, which support student
retention and success. The pervasive nature of assessment culture that she
creates in the unit helps implement innovative student retention strategies
effectively to support student success.

Hopeton (Hope) Smalling, Ed.S., is Functional Business Analyst in the
Retention and Student Success at Syracuse University. Supporting student
success initiatives, Dr. Smalling provides expertise to manage people,
technology, and business process. He is the key administrator for the student
success platform Orange Success and data custodian for related data.
Exceptionally adept at leveraging educational business intelligence to
optimize operational needs and student success, his professional career
reflects more than 20 years of experience in higher education, enhancing
teaching and learning effectiveness in and out of the classroom.

Hopeton earned a master’s degree in business administration in enterprise
resource planning and administration from Le Moyne College. Additionally, he
has earned his sixth-year degree as an educational specialist (Ed.S.) and is a
Ph.D. candidate exploring the phenomenon of learning analytics in higher
education.

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