National Institute for Student Success Receives $275,000 Grant from Lumina Foundation

ATLANTA—Georgia State University’s National Institute for Student Success (NISS) received a $275,000 grant from Lumina Foundation to support the delivery of the institute’s services to 50 post-high school institutions, particularly historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s) and minority-serving institutions (MSI’s).

Using systematic and data-driven processes, the NISS aids colleges and universities in identifying and finding solutions to institutional barriers to equity and college completion. The grant will help the NISS deliver high-touch services, such as diagnostic services, cohort-based coaching and individualized consultation, to partner institutions. Additionally, the funding would also support staff training, allowing NISS leadership and staff to create an organizational culture, infrastructure and service model that is delivered through a diversity, inclusion and equity-centered lens.

“We are truly grateful for our partnership with Lumina Foundation,” said Timothy Renick, executive director of the National Institute for Student Success. “With the foundation’s most recent grant, the NISS will deliver high-touch services to help dozens of higher ed institutions diagnose their student success systems and implement improvements to remove barriers to college access and completion.”

Lumina Foundation is a private, independent foundation based in Indianapolis that aims to make opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. They envision a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results and meets the nation’s need for talent with a broad range of credentials.

“Lumina Foundation is excited to partner with the National Institute for Student Success,” said Jasmine Haywood, strategy director for student success at Lumina. “We are committed to dismantling institutional barriers to equitable outcomes. We believe NISS is the right partner to increase student success for Black and brown students through their data-driven approach.”

Explore the Lumina Foundation’s commitment to and efforts in making academic opportunities available to all at luminafoundation.org.

Learn more about the NISS mission and services at niss.gsu.edu. See how donor support is making a meaningful difference at Georgia State and how to get involved at giving.gsu.edu.