East Texas Baptist University awarded $2.2 million Title III grant to strengthen student success

Published 5:25 am Friday, December 6, 2024

From Staff Reports

East Texas Baptist University has been awarded a $2,208,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP).

This Title III grant, titled Project G.P.A. (Grow! Perform! Achieve!), will be dispersed over the next five years to enhance ETBU’s academic support initiatives and student success programs.

SIP is designed to help eligible higher education institutions become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students. By providing funds to improve and strengthen academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability, the program enables universities like ETBU to deliver a transformative education while addressing the unique challenges faced by their student populations.

“Over the last 10 years, many faculty and staff have joined us on the journey to increase the retention and graduation rates of all students but specifically our nearly 40% of students who are first generation,” said Thomas Sanders, Provost and Vice President for Academics. “This federal grant is a recognition of the hard work across our campus and an investment in continued progress toward graduating Christian Servant Leaders who will follow their calling to God and humanity. I was honored to serve on the team with Assistant Provosts Bryan Mead and Elizabeth Ponder, who developed the support materials and vision for this grant proposal.”

The funding will allow ETBU to implement initiatives that improve student retention and success, with a particular focus on first-year students, student-athletes, and Pell Grant recipients. Plans include renovating the Jarrett Library to create a centralized Academic Support space and equipping students with a collaborative environment designed to foster learning and development.

The university will also expand its academic support services by hiring additional peer tutors for the ACE Tutoring Center and academic coaches for student-athletes to improve academic performance and increase four-year graduation rates. The grant will fund 100 percent of these initiatives. These enhancements will strengthen ETBU’s ability to serve its students and prepare them for future success.

The project reflects the university’s commitment to providing a Christ-centered education while meeting the needs of its diverse student body. With a focus on academic quality and institutional strength, the initiative will empower students to achieve their goals and thrive in their educational journeys.

Bryan Mead, the Assistant Provost for Adult and Graduate Studies, stated that the grant provides new opportunities for ETBU to enhance its mission of delivering excellent support services to students, ensuring their success throughout their time at the university.

“Being awarded the Strengthening Institutions Program Title III Grant is a testament to the hard work of many people over the years at ETBU and a recognition of the university’s ability to support our diverse student body from the time they arrive to the time they graduate,” Mead said. “Our commitment to enhance student success through tutoring, academic coaching, testing services, and collaborative learning spaces are all supported by the grant. With this award, we are going to continue our work supporting academic achievement, increasing student retention, and graduating more Tigers.”

The grant reinforces ETBU’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment that enables all students to succeed and equips them for servant leadership and service in their communities and beyond.