Second Call for Proposals – Elevating Student Success

NAU’s distinctive excellence is grounded in an institutional culture committed to student success. Throughout our work, we put students first and seek to build strong connections, foster meaningful engagement, and create experiences and environments where students can learn and succeed, supported every step of the way by our dedicated faculty and staff. In recognition of the importance of excellent teaching, inclusive learning environments, a sense of belonging and community, and robust academic and social support to building a truly student-centered university community, the second call for proposals focused on advancing institutional efforts to increase undergraduate and graduate student success.

In January 2023, we received 90 proposals from faculty and staff throughout the university, with a collective ask of over $10 million! 

Each proposal was reviewed by members of the President’s Council, with an eye toward funding projects that collectively will spur significant progress toward meeting our bold goals for uniformly high retention, persistence, and graduation rates across our diverse student populations.

Funded projects

The following 8 projects will be funded over the next two years, with approximately $1 million.

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Project	Project lead(s)
100% Career Ready	Maribeth Watwood and John Gartin
Elevating Engagement: A Pathway to Student Success and Community Connection	Erin Kruse
Embedded Math Achievement Program	Katie Louchart, Aaron Cirzan, Shannon Guerrero, and Sujey Ramos
Embracing the Chem-Bio Connection	Ana Araya-Anchetta, Mar-Elise Hill, Heidi Kloeppel, Sneha Vissa, Adonna Rometo, and Silke Buschmann
Expanding Student Affairs/CEFNS Academic Bootcamp Partnership	Benjamin Carver
Partnership with Graduation Alliance: Re-Enrollment Campaigns	Margot Saltonstall and Anika Olsen
Pre-Health Professions Student Service Team	Terri Hayes
Lumberjack Lounge | Connect – Explore – Innovate	Tina Zecher, Margot Saltonstall, Traci Gleason, Michelle M. Gardner, Terri L. Hayes, Deborah B. Whitten, Skyler M. Christensen, and Kegan Remington

In addition to the individual proposals that were supported, we engaged in cross-divisional collaboration to merge some proposal ideas into institutional efforts already planned or underway that will further accelerate and enhance the impact of our work. 

Requirements for Funded Projects

At the conclusion of the project and associated funding period, a short closeout report delineating how the funds were used and benefits to the university will be required.  Reports must include an overall summary of impacts and a list of the numbers of students engaged, scholarly research publications or presentations (if applicable), and information regarding submitted external proposals for follow-on funding (if applicable).

Continuation of the associated projects/activities/programs beyond the stated timeframe will be contingent on a programmatic review and availability of self-sustaining and/or other funding sources.

Contact Elevating.Excellence@nau.edu with questions regarding this opportunity.