A message from Ryan Travia, Ed D , FACHA, Associate Vice President for Student Success
The Student Success Portfolio is comprised of the following departments: Accessibility Services (DAS), Case Management and the Campus Assessment, Response, & Evaluation (CARE) Team (Babson CARES), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Advising & Success (SAS), Student Health Services (SHS), and Wellness & Prevention Services (WPS) The newest addition to this team is the Office of First-Generation Student Success (OFGSS), which opened its doors in September 2024.
Over the course of 18 months and in close partnership with Corporate and Foundation Relations, I cultivated a relationship with an external foundation that initially approached us as they were impressed with what we were doing in the Student Success space. As the relationship grew and we developed a better understanding of each organization’s goals/objectives and hopes/dreams/desires, I was able to secure a two-year $760,000 grant to fund a new “center” for First-Generation Student Success and several key ed tech initiatives. This included subsidizing the cost of a new data warehouse with the EAB/Edify, an industry leader “providing insight-driven
solutions in six major areas: enrollment, student success, data and analytics, institutional strategy, access and equity, and advancement,”[1] and a predictive analytics software program designed to identify students at-risk of struggle in math so as to facilitate earlier intervention and referral to campus resources.
Michael Prinkey joined Babson in September 2024 as the inaugural manager of First-Generation Student Success In short order, Michael has already made a significant impact on campus, building meaningful relationships with students, staff, and faculty, and establishing OFGSS as the centralized resource for first-generation students
The predictive analytics software yielded mixed results following a pilot in two sections of AQM-1000 (experimental and control) across two semesters. In collaboration with faculty from the Mathematics, Analytics, Science, and Technology Division and Discourse Analytics, a “market leader in the use of AI to improve student progression, retention, and success,”[2] we utilized a combination of predictive analytics and reactive “nudges” to identify students who were struggling in math and to offer a series of supports (e g attending professors’ office hours, encouraging visits to the Math Resource Center, forming a study group, meeting with their Student Success Advisor) to help increase their overall academic performance While the students reacted positively to the nudges and there was a modest increase in academic performance, the actual predictive model proved to be underwhelming, failing to consistently map to our metrics Further, given the variability across sections in terms of pedagogical approach, and timelines for assignments and exams, it proved difficult to scale this in any meaningful way As such, we pivoted and are exploring other means of leveraging technology to identify and intervene for students struggling in more quantitative-heavy courses.
The data warehouse project continues following a successful launch of dashboards for both undergraduate and graduate enrollment Much progress has been made on streamlining and automating dashboards for the Student Success departments, following an extensive discovery phase, data migration, and validation process We look forward to seeing the final product this fall
This year’s annual report summarizes the work led by each of the departments within Student Success, including utilization and student satisfaction data, programmatic highlights, new initiatives, and outcomes Various initiatives will be linked to the President’s Critical Few Objectives, demonstrating how well-being is the key driver to academic, personal, and professional success. Across all Student Success departments, we continue to experience high utilizations of services with increasing volume and acuity, as well as a need for increased case management (both clinical and non-clinical)
About Babson Student Success
Taking an integrative, synergetic, student-centered approach to developing entrepreneurial leaders by providing a seamless and supportive living-learning environment that prioritizes self-advocacy, health, and well-being as central to academic, personal, and professional success
Accessibility Services (DAS)
Thankyouandthe AccessibilityServices Teamforallyoursupport tobothmystudentsand methisyear!Asaparentof threeboyswithlearning disabilities,Iknow firsthandhowimportant andcriticalyourworkisto manystudentsThankyou fortheoften-delicatework ofkeepingstudents accountableandbeing accommodativeIwouldbe unabletoprovidestudents withthesupportthey deservewithoutallofyou. Youwerewellorganized, efficient,andpatientwitha newprofessor–apleasure toworkwithYoumade myjobeasier,andIam gratefulforyour partnershipAsadouble Babsonalumandnowa Babsonprofessor,Iama bigfanofthisplace!Ayear ago,Ididnotknowyour officeexistedandnowyou areonthelistofthingsI ammostproudofat Babson.
KerriLallyMcKeever,CFA VisitingAssistantProfessorof Practice
accessibility, inclusion, and service excellence.
Duringthe2024–2025academicyear,DAS experiencedanotableincreaseinstudent engagementandsupport.Atotalof839students registeredwithDAS,markingasignificantrise from624thepreviousyear.Thedepartment approvedover13,000accommodations.
tolastyear’s totalof109
DASSeesRecordIncreasesinMedicalandDiningAccommodations.Therewasariseinrequestsforsingleoccupancyrooms,roomsequippedwithkitchens,privatebathrooms,andexemptionsfromthemealplanpolicy Thesetypesofrequests,whichwerehistoricallyuncommon,suggestevolvingstudentneedsandpreferences, particularlyamongincomingstudents.WealsonoticedamodestincreaseinEmotionalSupportAnimal(ESA) requestsmayindicateanemergingtrendinthetypesofsupportstudentsareseekingfortheirwell-being.
AlternativeTesting
Therehasbeena41%increaseinproctoredexamscomparedtolast year.
Thisyear,AccessibilityServicesexperienceda41%increaseinexamproctoringcomparedtolastyear,reflectingbotha growingdemandforaccommodationsandexpandedtestingsupportInresponsetofacultyconcernsaboutacademic integrity,particularlyrelatedtoundergraduateproctorsandtheriseofonlineexamsandAI-basedcheating,wemadea strategicshifttohireonlygraduatestudentproctors,enhancingprofessionalismandoversight
Wealsoimplementedscanner-basedcheck-inandcheck-outsystemstoimproveexamsecurityandoperationalefficiency WhilethemajorityofexamswereproctoredinParkManorWest(PWM),high-volumeexamweeksrequiredexpansion intoMalloyandKnightauditoriumsduringfinals
Tostreamlineschedulingandreduceconfusion,westandardizedACC1000quizzeswitha5PMstarttime,creating consistencyforstudentsandfacultyalikeOverall,theseadjustmentsreflectaproactiveresponsetoevolving academicneedsandtheimportanceofmaintainingtheintegrityofthetestingenvironment
Thisyear,theNotetakingSupportProgramcontinuedtoprovideessentialaccesstoolsfor studentswithdisabilities Studentsutilizingnotetakingsoftwarereportedpositive outcomes,includingimprovedorganizationandincreasedindependenceinmanaging classmaterials However,forsomestudentswithspecificneedsorcourseformats,peer note-takingremainedanecessarysupplement.Facultyexpressedreservationsaboutaudio recordingintheclassroom,whichresultedinadecreaseinGleanusage. Inresponsetogrowinginterestinexpandinginclusiveclassroomtools,aClassroomCapture CommitteewasconvenedThiscross-functionalgroupmetthroughouttheyeartoexplore thefutureoflecturerecordingandtechnology-assistednotetakingTheirrecommendations havebeenformallypresentedtoPresidentSpinelliandProvostArmory
Thesenumbersunderscoreour commitmenttoinclusionateverystageof thestudentjourney,beginningfromtheir firstsemesterandcontinuingthrough graduation
1,3,4, 6 REACHINGMORE,ENGAGING BETTER
and
monthly webinars on a variety of topics such as Digital Access and the Civil Rights landscape. Build a partnership with ShineQuo, an executive functioning coaching service for 2025-26 semesters Strengthened its institutional impact through key partnerships with the Graduate School, Academic Technology & Innovation (ATI), and the Center for Career Development (CCD)
CollaborationwiththeGraduateSchoolhasexpandedsupportforgraduatestudentswith disabilities,improvingoutreach,streamliningaccommodationprocesses,andensuring inclusivelearningenvironmentsacrossprograms
DASandATIworkedtogethertoincreasefacultyawarenessandintegrationofaccessible instructionaltechnologies,resultinginmoreinclusivedigitalcoursematerialsandlearning platforms
JointeffortswithCCDhavefocusedonpreparingstudentswithdisabilitiesforcareerreadiness
ExcellenceinAccessibility&InclusionAwards
The second annual Excellence in Accessibility & Inclusion Award Ceremony celebrated graduating students The event acknowledged the dedication of faculty and staff to practices that promote access for everyone Thank you to President Spinelli and Provost Armony for their important contributions The 2025 Award recipients are FACULTY: Accounting Prof Shay Blanchette, Mathematics Prof George Recck STAFF: Lisa Keohane, Associate Director, Academic Technologies, and Merly Pouk, Instructional Technologist, Academic Technologies STUDENTS: Cassidy Collins, Shayna Lathia, and Andrew Lester
Postsecondary Disability Training Institute (PTI) Conference in May Association on Higher Education
Disability (AHEAD)
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
1 Anxiety(34%)
2 Stress(21%)
3.RelationshipConcerns(18%)
4.Depression(16%)
5.FamilyConcerns(5%)
ClinicalCaseManagement:
CAPSoffershigh-touchclinicalcasemanagementservicesfor studentsactivelyenrolledatBabson,aswellasforstudentsapprovedforaVoluntaryMedical Withdrawal(VMW).
Thisservicehelpsstudentswithacutementalhealthchallengesanduniqueneedsas theynavigatewell-beingchallenges.
Casemanagementservicesfacilitateaccesstoneededmentalhealthcare,including psychiatrichospitalization,andotheracutecareneeds.
AthleticConsultations:Startingin2023,CAPSofferedonsiteAthletic ConsultationappointmentstostudentathletesatLGRAC.Thishasallowed studentstoobtainquickaccesstoclinicalconsultationfocusedon injury personalevents mentalhealthfactorsimpactingathleticperformanceandengagementat theCollege.
PreventativeScreening:ToalignwithnewNCAAguidelines,CAPSscreened600studentsin 2024,usingthePHQ-2toassessfordepression Positiveresultswouldwarrantfurther screeningwiththePHQ-9.NostudentsendorsedsymptomsonPHQ-2,suggestingunderreportinggivenhighutilizationofAthleticConsultationappointmentsthispastyear.
EnhancedOutcomeDataCollection-thePHQ-9:Toenhanceoutcomedatacollectionassociatedwith clinicalservicesatCAPS,thePHQ9,anationallybenchmarkeddepressionscreeningtool,wasutilized. Thisbriefmeasurewasadministeredtostudentsseekingclinicalcareandafterservicesorwhenrisks fordepressionand/orsuicidebecameknown.
NoahShare,LICSW, transitionedintothe roleofIntake&Clinical CareCoordinatordue toCaseManagement demands
285studentscompletedthePHQ-9 52.40%oftherespondingstudentsendorsed moderatetoseveresymptomsofindicativeof depression.
Implications:thesedepressivesymptomsposesignificantbarrierstoacademic andpersonalsuccessandabilitytomaintainpersonalsafety
First-Generation Student Success
The Office of First-Generation Student Success leads a strategic vision for those first-in-their-families to attend higher education to thrive We do so through intentional community-building, equitable access, and a strengths-based mindset Mission:
Duringthe2024-2025academicyear,~21%ofstudentsidentifiedasfirstgeneration.
Babsondefines“first-gen”asthosefirstintheirfamiliestoattenda4-year college,eitherintheUSorabroad.
LatinHonors
DuringAY24-25,first-generation studentswereslightlyunderrepresentedinLatinhonorsand GPAs3.0andhigher.Thisindicates thatwhileBabsonistrendingina positivedirection,thereare opportunitiestocontinuetoengage first-genstudentsinacademic successinitiativeswiththegoalof anequitablespreadacrosshonor levelsandGPAranges
GenerationStudentSuccess Mikewasquicklyjoinedbya teamofstudents:9 undergraduateInternsand9 undergraduateandgraduate OfficeAssistantsorsupport staff
AcademicStandards
GradePointAverage(GPA)
First-generationstudentsatBabsonCollege represented263%ofstudentswhoappearedbefore theAcademicStandardsCommitteeduringAY24-25. Whilestilloverrepresentedcomparedtothe~21%of undergraduatestudentsatBabsonwhoidentifyas first-gen,thisisapositivetrendfromthe~33%of AcademicStandardscasesinAY22-23 Inanational landscapewherefirst-generationstudentsreport needingadditionalsupportsforacademicsuccess, Babsonisproudtohaveidentified3SASadvisors dedicatedtothefirst-genpopulation
Programming
Tri-Alpha is a national honor society celebrating first-generation college students for their academic excellence, leadership, and service Babson inducted its first cohort on April 4, 2025 The Free Lunch Club supports Babson students from limited-income backgrounds by offering a space to share experiences and build resources for navigating college and career life Inspired by the free and reduced lunch program, the name reflects pride in our roots and the strengths they’ve fostered Open to all who identify as limited-income, including international students, the club offers inclusive, flexible programming beyond just lunchtime
SignaturePrograms
InAY24-25,first-genstudentswereunderrepresentedinthe CommunityStandardsprocess.Thisisanexampleofthe self-ascribedvaluesofcommunityandintegritysharedby first-genstudentsduringtheGrandOpeninginNovember 2024
InAY25-26,OFGSSwillhighlightthiscommitmentandexcellence tocontinuetopromotethevalueofthefirst-gencommunity
CAREReports
First-genstudentswere overrepresentedinCARE reportsrelativetotheir~21% shareoftheCollegepopulation Thismayreflectproactive supporteffortsratherthan higherneed Furtheranalysiswillexplore trendstoinformorenhance Babson’sinitiativesaround socialconnection,family support,academicreadiness, andfinancialwellness
NationalFirst-GenCollegeCelebrationDay
The“GrandOpening”oftheOFGSSofficewasheld onNovember8-NationalFirst-GenCollege CelebrationDay.Morethan300first-generation studentsandguestsfromtheBabsoncommunity attendedtheeventandsharedtheirhopesandvision forboththesharedspaceandtheprogram.
2025SeniorCords&AwardsReception
Babsoncelebrateditsfirst-generationcommunityby hostingacordsandawardssend-offcelebrationon May15thatengaged47graduatingseniors,aswellas theirfamilies,faculty,andstaff
TwoStaffand1departmentreceivedadvocate awards,aswellas4studentsinareasoftheArts, Leadership,andServicetothefirst-gencommunity
ProgramData:42TotalPrograms&Collaborations
Student Advising & Success (SAS)
Student Success Advisors strive to educate and empower students to take ownership of their educational journey, recognize and understand the interconnectedness of their academic, personal, and professional successes in order to make intentional decisions that optimize their educational experiences.
ChordSheriffejoinedtheteamasa StudentSuccessAdvisorinDecember 2024followingastaffdepartureinJune.
StudentSurveyTestimonials
"MyadvisorwasthebesthonestlyIwouldnothavemadeitthisfarwithouttheguidanceandsupport"
"Incrediblynice,respondstoemailsquickly,andalwayswillingtohelp"
"AsaJanadmit,Ihadalotofquestionsandconcernsregardingclassesandcredits Myadvisoransweredallofmyquestionsand reassuredthatIwillbeabletoaccomplisheverythingIwanttoifIplanaccordinglyMeetingwithmyadvisorallowedmetomapout whatmyBabsonjourneywouldlooklike."
"Reallyappreciatemyadvisorcaringformeasaperson"
"Thepacketsthatweregiventoguidemeonmytimemanagementskillswereveryhelpful"
"Veryhelpfulandknowledgeable Ialsofeelthepositivityandpassiontheyhaveforstudents" "AnincrediblesupportthroughoutmytimeatBabson.Myadvisorguidedmethroughkeymomentsinmyjourneyandhelpedme overcomeseveralchallenges,makingmyoverallexperiencesignificantlybetter"
AdvisingintheWild-IncreasingCampusPresence
SASlauncheda“Pop-UpAdvising”seriesaimedtoincrease presenceacrosscampusinhigh-trafficstudentareastooffer topic-basedadvisinginareasstudentfrequentlyvisit 5,6
Piloted“SuccessStamp”Programin Spring2025
"SuccessStamp"initiativewhere studentsearnedstampsfortheir engagementwiththeiradvisorand/or SASevents.Studentswhofilledtheir cardswereenteredintoaraffle.We’ll beexpandingtheprogramtoinclude campuspartnersnextacademicyear.
Celebrating10YearsofWeissmanSummits
BrianDugganorganizedandledthe10thWeissman Summit,aweekendofreunions,networkingand professionaldevelopmentfortheWeissmanScholarsand alumniAspecialfocuswasoncelebratingBobWeissman’s legacyandrecognizingthesecondanniversaryofhis passing
Createdlandingpageofresourcestosupportfirstyear registration
Weextendedthepilotfocusedonkeycohortsofincoming students transfer(KathrynHencir)andfirst-genfirstyear students(KarinaOvalles,KirstenAgla&BrianDuggan) TransferStudents,165meetingsfor67students FirstGeneration,269meetingsfor143students
TransferStudents:InpartnershipwithAcademicAffairs,Kathryn Hencirhostedavirtual“TransferStudentMeet-up”seriesin Summer2024aimedatcreatinganearlysenseofcommunity amongsttransferstudentsbeforecomingtocampus FirstGenStudents:Thoughunderutilizedbystudents,Brian Duggan,KarinaOvalles,andKirstenAglahosteddedicated biweeklydropinhoursintheFirstGenLodge
Student Health Services (SHS)
Itwasanotherbusyyearfortheclinicnotableforanincrease inpatientacuity,increasedneedforcarecoordinationand referrals,andincreaseduseofofficesupplies.Staffalso promotedhealthandwellbeingoutsideoftheclinicbytaking partincampus-wideeventsandprovidingonlinehealth informationtomeetstudents’needsAgain,immunization rateswerestrong,andwecontinuedtoseestudentsgetting outandexploringtheworldandchoosingcampushealth servicesfortheirtravelandsexualhealthneeds
SusanaLoo-LiandRyanTravia attendedtheNationalACHA ConferenceinMay2025heldin NewOrleans.Ryanwasselectedas aACHAFellowfor2025,nominated bypeersforhisexceptionalservice andcommitmenttoACHAand collegehealth
“Thenurseevenfollowedupwithmeaftermyappointmentto makesureIwasdoingokayandhadtakentherecommended medication”-STUDENT
“IwantedtothankBabsonHealthServicessoverymuchfortheir careofmyson Hewasabletocallandtalktosomebodyandwas abletohavehisfriendpickupacarepackageofsupplieswhichhe saidwasimmenselyhelpful Iamsogratefulthathewasableto getthistodayItmakesaworriedmomfeeljustalittlebitbetter Thankyouforyourexcellentcare”-PARENT
“Ijustwantedtotakethisopportunitytothankyouforallyour support.Asajunior,thiswasmyfirsttimegoingthrough somethinglikethis.Thankyouforbeingthereforme,formaking mefeelcomfortableandmostofall,caringsodeeply.Itreally meantalottomeespeciallywithwhatIwasgoingthroughat thattime.IchosetogotoBabsonoutofallofmychoicesand lookingback,Imadetherightdecision.TheBabsoncommunityis fortunatetohavesuchadedicatedteam”.-STUDENT
Wellness & Prevention Services (WPS)
(WPS)
The 4 Pillars at WPS
and
Understanding Intervention Types:
Advocacy:Provides studentswithsupport throughlegaland medicalaccompaniment, guidanceonTitleIXand Gender-Based Misconductprocesses, andconnectionto relevantresources
CaseManagement: Facilitatescollaboration andmeetingswith studentsandBabson partners(ie,Health Services,CAPS,SAS, Facultyandother campusresources)
TouchPoint: Communicationswith Babsonpartnerson behalfofstudents
FollowUp: Briefcommunications withstudentstoprovide updatesontheircase andcheckin
Hotline:Uniquecallsby anonymousstudents throughthe24/7crisis hotlineThisnumberis notincludedinthetotal interventioncount
Designed to reduce the negative consequences associated with highrisk drinking and other forms of substance misuse AODS also supports Babson’s non-drinker community and students in recovery
Supports holistic, non-clinical programs designed to address emotional well-being. This includes support surrounding sleeping habits, stress and anxiety, and relationships A comprehensive, culturallyinclusive, evidence-based sexual health program that includes freeof-charge safer sex and reproductive products for students
Understanding InterventionTypes:
AODSI:Aconfidential,oneon-onesessionwhere studentsreflectontheir substanceuse,explore motivationsandrisks,and begindevelopingharm reductionstrategies
AODSII: Afollow-up sessionthatbuildsonAODS I,offeringpersonalized feedbackanddeeper supporttohelpstudents makeinformed,safer choicesaroundsubstance use
IndividualConsult:Asingle, confidentialsessionwith WPStoreflectonbehaviors andtoidentifypersonalized supportorreferrals–often followingaroomcheck violation
OnlinePersonalFeedback Intervention(PFI):A confidential,self-guided assessmentthatgives studentspersonalized feedbackontheirsubstance use especiallyforlowlevelAODviolationsthese arenotincludedinthetotal meetingcount
In2024/2025,WPSintroducedanupdatedstudent-centeredapproachtoAlcoholandOtherDrugServices(AODS)bymergingBASICSI &II(BriefAlcoholScreening&InterventionforCollegeStudents)andCASICSI&II(CannabisScreening&InterventionforCollege Students)intoAODSIandAODSIIThisnewmodelwasdevelopedinresponsetoagrowingtrendofstudentsusingmultiplesubstances simultaneouslyItprioritizesstudents'behaviorsandsubstanceusepatterns,tailoringinterventionstoprovidemoreresponsiveand relevantsupport regardlessoftheirreasonforreferral
WPSHighlightsfor2024/2025
Canvas Courses for all incoming students:
An updated, interactive version of the Gender-Based Misconduct Course was created and relaunched with the Fall 2024 cohort.
The Watch Your BAC and Got Your BAC courses were updated to include harm reduction strategies for all substances observed on campus, enhancing both their relevance and interactivity These will re-launch this fall
In response to student feedback on boundary setting, WPS is launching a new mandatory online Healthy Relationships curriculum beginning with sophomores in fall 2025.
Programming:
Following Fresh Check Day and September’s Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, increased student reports of loss led to the launch of targeted support programs
The Clothesline Project, featured during April’s Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month, deeply resonated with the community prompting heartfelt appreciation from a parent of an incoming student who called it a meaningful and important event at Babson.
Collaboration is key to expanding the reach and impact of our wellness efforts This year, we partnered with CAPS, Health Services, Student Engagement, Public Safety, Horn Library, the Speech Center, Res Life, CCD, First-Generation, Student Advising, and others Services
WPS noted a significant rise in students seeking advocacy and support for sexual and reproductive health concerns, prompting expanded efforts to address their changing needs
Sexual and Reproductive Health Concerns reflects 12% of our IW meetings for AY24/25
After sustained advocacy, Wellness & Prevention Services secured funding to begin compensating the Peers On Wellness (POWs), aligning their role with peer health educator standards across New England POWs continued efforts to diversify the group to better reflect Babson’s student population.
Bites Before Stoop, a monthly harm reduction initiative that provides food to students ahead of large social events, was implemented.
