Higher education professionals from across the country gathered to explore strategic approaches to student success at the Inside Higher Ed Student Success US 2025 conference Nov. 17-19 in Atlanta. Co-hosted by the University of Georgia and supported by the National Higher Education Teaching Conference, the conference featured a layered agenda with themes ranging from data-driven academic support to creating community and life after graduation.
The conference kicked off with opening remarks from President Jere W. Morehead, who highlighted several successful initiatives at UGA, including the First-Year Odyssey Seminar Program and the Active Learning Initiative.
“Student success is a top priority at UGA, and we have made consistent investments in initiatives and infrastructure to enrich the student experience,” Morehead said. “We spend our days, weeks, months and years ensuring students leave our campus prepared to embrace their calling as the next generation of leaders, and we work tirelessly to equip graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate a rapidly changing job market.”
Throughout the two-day conference, 14 speakers from UGA led a variety of sessions, including 13 presenters from the Office of Instruction and Dean of the Graduate School Ron Walcott. Several UGA students also participated, along with recent UGA alumna Jessica Tardy, who spoke about the importance of mentorship.
“It was energizing to have so many of my colleagues share their extensive knowledge and break down the effective tactics and initiatives they’ve been developing here at UGA. I hope the conference participants were able to carry some of that excitement back to campus,” said UGA’s Vice President for Instruction Marisa Pagnattaro.
UGA faculty and staff presented on a variety of topics from experiential learning to testing and assessment.
Andy Borst, UGA’s vice provost for enrollment management, and Associate Vice President Tom Mote led a session on how institutions can strategically use data-powered enrollment strategies to boost access, retention and financial sustainability.
UGA Director of Active Learning Leah Carmichael led a session with Megan Mittelstadt, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, and Cara Winston-Simmons, director of the Office for Student Success and Achievement, on how the university’s Active Learning Initiative is driving campus-wide culture change. They also held up UGA’s new Creative Engagement Wing as a model for 21st-century education.
Senior IT Director Shefali Dhar and Associate Vice President and Registrar Fiona Liken showcased UGA’s new Comprehensive Learner Record during a panel on setting students up for success.
UGA’s involvement notably reinforced the importance of instilling excellence in teaching, a central theme of the event, and showcased ongoing initiatives to support faculty and improve student outcomes.
Pagnattaro provided closing remarks, focusing on meeting students where they are, creating community where we can and advocating for faculty engagement and responsible integration of technology.
By engaging in national conversations about student success, UGA reaffirmed its dedication to inclusive pedagogy, evidence-based instruction and comprehensive student support systems.
