USC specialized advising keeps thousands of students in class

Specialized advising initiatives have helped keep thousands of USC students in class, boosting retention and graduation rates.

One program has helped nearly 6,500 students sign up for classes over its first three years. Academic advisors reach out to students who are eligible to return for the upcoming term but have not registered after passage of the advisement period. The initiative reduced the number of non-registered students by 32 percent last spring.

“By advisors proactively reaching out to students who haven’t registered for classes, we can identify challenges they may be facing and ensure they have the resources they need to succeed,” said Lara Lomicka Anderson, vice provost for undergraduate studies.

USC’s Advising Center also has partnered with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to help 5,650 students with an insufficient GPA or not enough credit hours to maintain their scholarships since 2021. Advisors reach out to students and encourage them to enroll in summer courses to boost their grades or attain the credit hours needed to secure their scholarships. More than 90 percent of these students who work with an advisor return in the fall.