Graduation Guarantee Program has First Graduate

The first participant in Utah State University’s Graduation Guarantee Program graduated this summer.

 

Sheri Lester graduated cum laude with a 3.6 grade point average with a degree in elementary education. Lester began the Graduation Guarantee Program in 2002 when she transferred to Utah State.

 

“The greatest value of this program, in my mind, is that students can receive peace of mind about the availability of their courses and timeliness of their graduation,” said Wade Oliver, director of the program.

 

Lester said the best part of using the program was the class selection.

 

"My enrollment in the program opened up classes to me that may have otherwise been closed," she said. "The program helped me plan my class schedule, and I was encouraged to meet with my academic advisor frequently, who was willing to help me with any questions I had. I was extremely lucky to have an incredible advisor who was patient with me."

 

The Graduation Guarantee Program allows students to make a contract with the university Advising and Transfer Services office that guarantees that the student will have the classes they need, when they need them. If a student’s graduation is held up due to the university’s failure to deliver classes, tuition is free for any extra coursework needed to graduate.

 

To participate in the program, students must meet with an advisor each semester to determine which classes to take and enroll in their courses. They must also be in good academic standing.

 

“When students want to finish their degrees efficiently, we want to ensure that happens,” said Joyce Kinkead, vice provost for undergraduate studies and research. “The Graduation Guarantee Program helps students both in and out of the program by making degree requirements easily understood.”

 

Sixty students are currently involved in the program, which started in fall 2002, Oliver said. The idea for the program was sparked by a desire to increase graduation rates, and to forecast needed courses to help students reach their graduation goals.

 

Kinkead said the program was noted for helping students graduate in four years in the June 2003 issue of Smart Money Magazine. Utah State is the only university in Utah with a graduation guarantee program.

 

Students may sign up for the program anytime during their study at Utah State. Interested students must visit their academic advisor. For more information go to www.usu.edu/graduate.