Supporting Student Success Through the 4ward Focus Framework
The Division of Student Affairs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is committed to enhancing student retention, persistence, and graduation through our comprehensive 4ward Focus framework. This strategic approach addresses the interconnected elements essential for student success across four key areas.
Student Basic Needs forms the foundation of our work, recognizing that students must have their fundamental necessities met before they can fully engage academically. With 52% of our students experiencing food insecurity, housing insecurity, or homelessness, we've expanded resources including Mini-Cougar Cupboards throughout campus, emergency funding support, and transportation assistance through our bus token initiative. Recent efforts have enabled us to address the root causes of housing insecurity while ensuring students have access to essential resources.
Student Health and Well-being focuses on helping students thrive holistically once their basic needs are met. Recognizing that 52% of our students experience loneliness and 49% get insufficient sleep our initiatives include relaxation and sensory rooms across campus, self-care carts, expanded Welcome Weekend programming centered on the eight dimensions of wellness, and innovative stress-reduction programming during high-pressure periods like finals week. This is in addition to strategic investments in Counseling and Health Services and Health Education and Promotion.
Career-Readiness Competencies prepare students for workplace success and lifelong career management through hands-on experiences. Our student employment programs consistently show higher retention rates, with nearly 95% of full-time freshmen with non-Federal Work Study employment retained from fall 2023 to fall 2024. We've launched a Career-Readiness Badge program, developed supervisor toolkits, and integrated NACE competency language into student positions to ensure meaningful skill development alongside academic learning.
Fostering a Vibrant Campus Life Experience creates intentional connections that help students feel they belong and matter at SIUE. Research shows that students participating in four involvement practices are more likely to be retained, and we have every opportunity to provide access to campus activities that allow students to thrive. Through strategic programming and community-building initiatives, we're creating an environment where all students can find their place and contribute to our campus community.
Together, these four focus areas create a comprehensive support system that addresses the full spectrum of student needs, from basic survival and stability to thriving and optimal functioning, ultimately contributing to improved retention rates and student success at SIUE.
The 4ward Focus Framework was introduced at the Fall 2025 Student Affairs Kick-off Celebration. Learn more by viewing the presentation.
