Dr. Andrew Grant Honored Nationally as Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate

Walsh University Dean of Academic Services Dr. Andrew Grant will be honored as one of ten recipients of the 2012 Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award by the National Resource Center for the First Year Experience and Students in Transition organization. Grant was chosen for this prestigious honor from a group of 140 nominees.  The award will be presented at the annual conference this February in San Antonio, Texas.

Grant has been a tireless advocate for first-year students as well as for those who are academically at risk on the Walsh University Campus.  His meticulous tracking of students’ progress has led to revitalized efforts on campus and increased retention. 

“Under Dr. Grant’s leadership, Walsh University has transformed its service to first-year students and students at risk,” said Walsh University President Richard Jusseaume.  “His contributions impact virtually every inch of our campus – from testing/placement and advising to academic support and the classroom experience.  Every day a student on our campus is helped by something created and directed by Dr. Grant.”

Grant oversees several student programs including the orientation period in the summer prior to the start of the freshman year, which includes testing for proficiency and deficiency in mathematics, English and reading, three areas that have proven critical to student success.  He also created the Structured Education Program (SEP) as a year-long experience for first-year students who tested poorly in the orientation period.  In addition, he instituted Academic Probation Services for students on academic probation in their second semester of their freshman year and created the position of academic advisor to assist at-risk students with one-on-one attention.

He helped to secure a Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education (FIPSE) grant with a focus on the college readiness of first year students. Grant was also involved in the design of a pre-college program, the DREAM program, for local high school students.  The DREAM Program has been extremely successful with more than 95 percent of participating students graduating and enrolling in higher education institutions. He also oversees the Academic Resource Center, which assists at-risk and first year students on a variety of issues.

Grant has served as the Walsh Dean of Academic Services since 2004.  He joined Walsh in 1998 as a faculty member in the Division of Education, a position he held until 2001 when he was appointed Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs.

Grant says that much of what he is honored for is the result of his work with those “in the trenches” of these activities.  “Without such help and dedication on the part of my colleagues, this award, which honors the University as a whole more than me personally, would not be possible.”