
From the first class to commencement, the University of Louisville is with students through every stage of the journey. That commitment to student success is paying off for Kentucky.
The National Student Clearinghouse recently reported that Kentucky led the nation in one-year gains in undergraduate persistence and retention from 2023 to 2024, with increases of 9.8% and 7.9% respectively. These gains pushed the commonwealth above the national average in both measures and UofL is proud to be a driving force behind that progress, with its own historic milestone of record retention and enrollment.
What sets UofL apart is the way it supports students not only when they begin college but throughout their entire academic journey.
Smoothing path for transfer students
As a top transfer destination in the state, one major way UofL supports the state is by making it easier for students to transfer and continue their education. From fall 2021 to fall 2023, UofL’s transfer student total grew from 868 to 1,207, a significant 39.1% increase.
To build on that momentum, the university expanded its partnership last year with all 16 Kentucky Community and Technical College System schools, offering scholarships, financial aid, advising and satellite offices on partner campuses. This initiative ensures students transition seamlessly to UofL and keeps them on track toward their degrees.
Programs built for persistence
Supporting transfers is just one piece of the puzzle. Staying in college is about more than academics as life can throw unexpected challenges in the way. Imagine right before the semester starts your car gets vandalized, and the money you’d saved for tuition suddenly has to cover repairs. You start wondering if staying in school is even possible.
That’s where a Student Success Coordinator comes in. This unique on-campus role helps students navigate a wide range of challenges from financial worries and personal struggles to academic hurdles and uncertainty about majors. Their mission is to give every Cardinal the support and confidence they need to keep going.
“We are your designated helpful person at the university,” said Anika Strand, a coordinator in the Student Success Center. “If you need a problem solver, if you need someone who’s just going to help you get the information you need or get to the right person, that’s what we’re here for. We are your teammate, your advocate when either something’s going wrong or you’re just feeling uncertain or confused about just college life.”
Expanding access
Another important effort to keep students in school through graduation is to ensure their education remains affordable. UofL gave thousands of Kentucky students access to additional aid to attend the university by expanding the Cardinal Commitment Grant, which is renewable throughout a student’s college tenure. The grant narrows the gap between financial aid and the total cost of attendance, which includes housing, dining, transportation, books and other miscellaneous expenses.
UofL’s dedication to redefining student success is driving real results and moving Kentucky forward together. Learn more about how UofL is creating thriving futures in the commonwealth and beyond at uoflnews.com.