SUNY Adirondack was awarded SUNY Performance Improvement Funds (PIF) which supported the College's first Finish-in-2 program. SUNY Adirondack was funded to support the academic and social development for 150 first-time full-time student cohorts for Fall 2016, Fall 2017, and Fall 2018. As a reward for participation, students would receive a $500 scholarship during their final semester-the graduation semester.

Finish-in-2 participants attend an enhanced orientation, sign a Finish-in-2 Pledge, have an assigned Finish-in-2 advisor, create an education plan, attend transfer and/or career exploration workshops and take advantage of priority registration.

The Finish-in-2 Program at SUNY Adirondack has been a tremendous success! This program in addition to other student success initiatives have significantly contributed to our ability to recruit new students and increase preparedness, student persistence, and graduation. The fall-to-fall retention rate for the Fall 2016 cohort increased by over +6% (compared to Fall 2014) and the two year graduation rate increased by nearly +4%.

During this presentation, we will detail SUNY Adirondack’s Finish-in 2 program, share materials, and discuss how the success of the program allowed funding to continue after the grant ended.