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PLAINVIEW, TX — A student success initiative focused on advising, coaching and academic support has been selected as the next Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) project at 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ Baptist University following a campus-wide competition that generated more than 20 proposals aimed at strengthening student learning and success.

The winning proposal, “Center for Student Success: Advising and Coaching Pathways to Persistence,” was submitted by Dr. Rosemary Peggram, Director of Student Success, and will serve as 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ’s QEP for the university’s 2028-2033 accreditation cycle through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The initiative is designed to improve student success, persistence and academic progress by providing coordinated advising, coaching and academic support services for first-year and academically at-risk students. Plans include creating a centralized student success hub in the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Learning Resources Center with collaborative learning spaces, advising offices, testing facilities and student engagement areas.

“The selection of this QEP by students, faculty, and community reflects 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ’s shared commitment to the success and retention of our students,” Peggram said. “By bringing together and strengthening existing services and expanding resources available, we are building something impactful where students are equipped and encouraged to thrive academically and personally.”

The QEP is a required component of SACSCOC reaffirmation and is designed to create measurable improvements in student learning and student success. This year, 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ used a contest format to encourage broad participation among students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.

Dr. Autumn Lass, Professor of History in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences and faculty chair of the QEP Planning Committee, said the process was intentionally designed to be transparent and inclusive.

“The committee worked diligently to design a process that was both transparent and inclusive of students, faculty, staff, and the broader WBU community,” Lass said. “Given that the next QEP will directly shape WBU for years to come, the committee was especially encouraged by the high level of meaningful engagement throughout the process.”

The QEP Planning Committee also included Dr. Gregg Greer, Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness, and Dr. J.M. Givens, Jr., Professor of Theological Studies/Institutional Accreditation Liaison, who both contributed to guiding the university’s planning and evaluation efforts throughout the process.

Dr. Cindy McClenagan, vice president for academic affairs, said the competition highlighted the university’s commitment to student-focused innovation while also opening doors for future grant opportunities connected to student success initiatives.

The second-place proposal, submitted by Dr. Brent Lynn, Director of Multidisciplinary Tutorial Services and Professor of Writing, was the “51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ Mentor Pioneer Program,” a mentorship initiative designed to help first-year students adjust to college life through relationships with trained mentors. The proposal outlined a five-phase plan that eventually would expand mentoring opportunities to external campuses and virtual students.

Third place went to Givens for a proposal centered on financial stewardship and financial literacy education for students, alumni and employees. The initiative proposed integrating financial literacy modules into freshman and senior-level courses while also providing mentoring and individualized financial guidance.

Givens noted that several ideas generated during the competition already have found life beyond the formal QEP process.

“Our decision to hold a contest generated a lot of excitement across campus and resulted in a variety of ideas for campus and community improvement,” Givens said. “While only one proposal could become our QEP, we hope many others will be implemented.”

One student-generated proposal already has become reality through the creation of a student lecture series this spring, while another proposal focused on community improvement was adopted as a service project by 51³Ô¹ÏÍøÊÓƵ’s Rotaract Club.

Cash prizes were awarded to the top three proposals, including $1,000 for first place, $750 for second place and $500 for third place.