Sul Ross State University is celebrating the impactful results of its innovative Lobos LEAD program, which has significantly improved freshman retention rates since its inception in Fall 2023. Freshmen involved in the program have shown a retention rate that is 23.5 percent higher compared to their peers.
Lobos LEAD, standing for Learning, Earning, Assisting, and Developing, integrates a comprehensive suite of support services including academic resources, peer mentoring, financial literacy, and community engagement opportunities. This holistic approach is designed to equip students with essential tools for academic success, leadership development, and community involvement.
Key components of the LEAD program include:
- Learn: Students gain essential knowledge and skills through targeted academic coursework and practical training.
- Earn: Through on-campus employment opportunities, students can reduce financial barriers to education while gaining valuable work experience.
- Assist: Participants engage in campus and community projects, enhancing their civic responsibility and service-mindedness.
- Develop: The program offers professional development workshops and mentoring to boost leadership, teamwork, and personal growth.
Dr. Kathy Stein, assistant dean for Student Success at SRSU, highlighted the program’s effectiveness. “The early success of Lobos LEAD is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, and student leaders,” she said. “These are high-impact practices that help them see Sul Ross as their home throughout their academic career.”
A pivotal element of Lobos LEAD is the Freshman Seminar course, where 20 student leaders are chosen to serve as peer mentors. These mentors, who are prepared in the spring and receive a grant-funded stipend, assist their peers organically across various campus settings like dining halls and the gym.
By their fourth semester, these students work as Lobo Ambassadors, assisting in enrollment and retention efforts that align with their degree programs and personal interests. As juniors, they participate in on-campus internships that prepare them for the workforce or graduate studies.
Additionally, participants will become members of the National Society of Leadership and Success, with their membership dues covered by a grant from the local Bechtel Fund.
“After four years, we’ll continuously have 80 students who are navigating through various roles, gaining marketable skills and leadership capabilities,” Dr. Stein added. “We are seeing freshmen develop the confidence and skills needed to thrive in college and beyond. This program is setting a new standard for how we support our students from the moment they step onto campus.”
