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Florida State University has designated Joe O’Shea as the Vice President for Student Academic Success, a fresh position tasked with supervising the institution’s acclaimed initiatives for student academic achievement.

President Richard McCullough created this new senior leadership role to further FSU’s student-focused mission and direct the university’s extensive efforts to attract, retain, and graduate a distinguished student populace.

“A notable scholar, FSU alumnus, and authority in higher education, Joe O’Shea is indeed a visionary in promoting student success initiatives,” stated McCullough. “His innovative approaches have transformed FSU into a national frontrunner in enabling students from diverse backgrounds to excel academically and graduate on schedule.”

O’Shea, who has served as associate provost and dean of Undergraduate Studies for the previous five years, will manage numerous significant sectors in his new position, such as the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, and the University Registrar, in addition to units concentrating on both undergraduate and graduate scholars, which include advising, retention, honors programs, and veteran services.

“Joe’s appointment signifies an important milestone for FSU as our core commitment to student academic success remains central to the university’s mission,” remarked Jim Clark, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “His vision and proven track record in enhancing student-centered learning, alongside his commitment that every student has access to the necessary resources, guidance, and opportunities to excel, make him the perfect candidate to spearhead FSU’s student success initiatives.”

O’Shea, who was FSU’s student body president prior to acquiring his bachelor’s degree in 2008, has devoted his career to advancing his alma mater through student-focused initiatives. As both a Rhodes and Truman Scholar, O’Shea completed a master’s degree in comparative social policy and a doctorate in education from the University of Oxford before returning to FSU as an administrator in 2011.

“I am extremely thankful for the chance to serve FSU in this new role. This is an exhilarating time for our university to innovate and build upon our legacy as a pioneer in academic excellence and student success. Together, we will provide a top-tier educational experience where every student is inspired to achieve their utmost potential.”

— Vice President for Student Academic Success Joe O’Shea

“I am extremely thankful for the chance to serve FSU in this new role,” said O’Shea. “This is an exhilarating time for our university to innovate and build on our achievements as a leader in academic excellence and student success. Together, we will create a premier educational experience where every student is inspired to achieve their utmost potential.”

Prior to taking on the dean role in Undergraduate Studies, he occupied several positions within Academic Affairs, such as Assistant Provost and Director of Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement. He will continue in his role as dean while a national search is underway for his successor.

O’Shea has overseen the establishment of numerous programs enhancing FSU’s ecosystem for student support, including the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, Engage 100, the Center for the Advancement of Teaching, the Graduation Planning and Strategies Office, and the Center for Academic Guidance.

He has also driven the expansion of essential academic programs for undergraduates, such as the Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement, Transfer Student Services, the Honors Program, and Student Athlete Academic Services.

Due in part to O’Shea’s leadership and the effective collaboration among various university leaders, FSU has set new records across nearly every metric of student performance and achievements. The university boasts a four-year graduation rate of 76% and a 96% first-year retention rate, both ranking among the top 10 for public universities. Recently, FSU also attained records for its six-year graduation rate at 86% and its transfer student graduation rate at 78.4%, the highest in Florida and among the best nationwide.

Most importantly, graduation statistics at FSU show almost no disparities across students’ socioeconomic statuses. For instance, Pell Grant recipients graduate at an 83% rate after six years, the highest rate ever for FSU and comparable to the overall student body.

“Every day, our students inspire me,” O’Shea remarked. “Our university attracts some of the brightest, most talented individuals from across the globe, and I look forward to assisting them in thriving at FSU and beyond.”

O’Shea also holds a faculty position in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies within the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, as co-editor of the Journal of Postsecondary Student Success, and as co-director of the Collaborative Lab for the Advancement of Student Success (CLASS). He is recognized as an authority in student success and postsecondary education, authoring numerous books and articles, including his upcoming co-authored work with Harvard University Press, The Education They Deserve: A Leader’s Guide to Supporting College Teaching.

The post O’Shea named FSU’s first Vice President for Student Academic Success appeared first on Florida State University News.

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