The Georgia Institute of Technology has set new records in student achievement as measured by gains in retention rates and graduation rates.

The first-year retention rate is 97 percent, which is a record for the Institute and strengthens Tech’s position among the nation’s most elite universities. This figure measures the percentage of a college’s first-time freshmen who return the following year. The national retention rate average for public four-year universities is 80 percent.

“It takes an entire campus community to achieve these high retention and graduation rates,” said Steven Girardot, associate vice provost for undergraduate education. “I’m proud of the efforts of our faculty and administrators, who work very hard to support student success from the first day a student arrives on campus until the day they graduate.”

Georgia Tech also set new records in graduation rates.

The Institute’s five-year graduate rate rose to 80 percent, while the six-year figure climbed to 85 percent. That compares to national averages of 55 percent and 59 percent, respectively, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Degree completion is an institutional priority, and many of Georgia Tech’s programs have been in place for years, said Debbie Pearson, the Institute’s retention and graduation coordinator.

“It’s important for every student we admit to have the resources to be successful,” said Pearson, who works closely with retention initiatives across campus and helps coordinate the Institute’s Complete College Georgia plan.

Here are some programs contributing to student success at Georgia Tech:

• GT 1000 is a one-credit, discussion-based seminar that allows students to connect with faculty, administrators and one another while developing academic skills critical to their success at Georgia Tech.
• Living Learning Communities, which include Grand Challenges and the Honors Program, combine residential living with academic and co-curricular activities to provide students with a more robust learning environment.  
• 1-to-1 Tutoring is a free, appointment-based program offered to all students. Tutoring is available in more than 70 courses.
• OMED Challenge is a five-week summer program held for incoming freshmen. Run by the Office of Minority Educational Development, the program consists of core courses that simulate a typical freshman year so that students become familiar with Tech’s academic rigor and understand the pitfalls that may occur in their first year. 
• The Freshman Experience program creates a living-learning community that helps new students transition to college life.
• The Success Summit helps students, especially those on probation, by providing interactive workshops and panels that promote effective goal-setting, time management and study skills.
• GT 2100: Seminar for Academic Success is required for students who return from academic dismissal. The course includes mandatory academic coaching.