WSSU awarded $50K grant to accelerate advising and student success initiatives
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) has been awarded a $50,000 acceleration grant to support the implementation of evidence-based strategies outlined in its National Institute for Student Success (NISS) Playbook. This marks the first time WSSU has received the grant, which is designed to help institutions strengthen academic advising and student success through data-driven approaches.
The grant comes as part of WSSU’s partnership with Georgia State University’s (GSU) NISS. During the 2023–2024 academic year, WSSU worked with GSU’s NISS to develop a customized playbook aimed at improving student outcomes. As the university began preparing an implementation plan, it was invited to join GSU’s Quality of Care (QoC) Cohort.
The QoC Cohort project will run from September 2024 through August 2025. GSU not only waived WSSU’s participation fee but also provided the $50,000 grant to accelerate progress.
Dr. Tony Artimisi, WSSU associate provost for academic strategy and institutional effectiveness, called this opportunity amazing and would allow the university to move from planning to action in a way that supports real, measurable improvements for students.
WSSU will use the grant funds to invest in professional development for key advising leaders across campus. Department chairs, transfer advisors and academic success counselors will participate in specialized training through NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising. These individuals were selected for their capacity to lead change within their academic units and enhance the student experience throughout campus.
In addition, a portion of the funding will be used to align and update all published curricular resources to ensure students receive consistent and accurate advising information across platforms.
The grant is non-renewable, and all funds must be expended by December 31, 2026.
“We commend your institution’s active participation and progress in the NISS Quality of Care Cohort and are confident that this additional support will further accelerate the university’s efforts,” NISS stated in its award notification.
About NISSThe National Institute for Student Success at Georgia State University helps colleges and universities identify and resolve institutional barriers to equity and college completion by increasing their capacity to implement proven student-success systems and data-driven interventions and enact systemic change to institutional processes and structures. For more information, visit https://niss.gsu.edu/.
