FSU Uses CliftonStrengths to Build University Capacity Through TMCF HEROES Program

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Fayetteville State University is joining the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s HEROES program designed to boost retention and graduation rates by empowering students to identify their inherent talents and align them with academic and career aspirations using the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment.

In its second year, the HBCUs Embracing and Retaining Our Everyday Strengths or HEROES program says students who take and participate in strengths-based activities, advising and interventions are more likely to continue college past the first year. FSU is set for nearly 250 first-year students to participate in the program.

“At FSU, we have worked diligently, through various initiatives and amended processes, to increase retention and persistence. Two such examples include creating a central location for advisement and support services and the 30-60-90 Free Summer School program,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Monica T. Leach. “Including the HEROES program in our efforts to move our students from freshmen to graduates enhances our capabilities to ensure student success. 

Joining the HEROES program prioritizes students engaging in personal development opportunities to aid critical statics like persistence and graduations in addition to retention rates. FSU has experienced steady increases in fall-to-fall retention rates for four consecutive years.

Claflin University, Texas Southern University and the University of the District of Columbia are a part of the second-year cohort with FSU.

Through funding from the HBCU Transformation Project, Thurgood Marshall College Fund continues to lead the effort of implementing a strengths-based approach to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).