Student Success

500X330_SS_Intro​At the University of St. Thomas, we strongly encourage our students to pursue both their academic and personal goals. In doing so, it is our top priority to provide students with an enriching academic and social environment that will help to cultivate the overall success of our student population, both on and off campus.

We aim to foster holistic growth in students while helping to instill the values that matter most to them. UST offers a plethora of student success programs and initiatives to get our students off the ground and running.

Student Success Initiative

red and gold friday wear flyer​From the 1st Year Experience and Mendenhall Summer Institute to both our Peer Success Coaches and Success Coaches, UST provides an array of support to enhance our students’ academic and social wellbeing.

These programs target the various areas that students may need additional advocacy in throughout their college career. Each initiative is curated to give students a more optimal learning experience where they receive hands-on assistance from both professionals and student leaders trained in their scope of expertise.

Our goal at UST is to create a proactive, engaged learning environment where all students feel welcome, achieve their goals, and, ultimately, feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as they graduate. With our annual Dean’s List awards ceremony, we honor the accomplishments of students who earn a 4.0 during the academic year and celebrate their commitment to collegiate merit. Our fall, spring, and summer commencements are also an opportunity for students to celebrate their achievements over the course of their college career alongside their graduating class.

Our Success coaches work one-on-one with students to create a personalized experience where weekly academic goals are constructed and achieved throughout the Spring semester. Weekly goals are established to improve student’s skills in various areas including time management, organization, effective study strategies, optimal note-taking, regulating test anxiety, and more.

The 1st year experience, or FYE, is a one-credit hour course offered to students in their first fall semester at UST. The course introduces students to how the Basilian Fathers’ core values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge provide the foundation for a Catholic, liberal arts education.

Within a class setting, knowledgeable student and staff mentors present a range of activities and class materials to supplement the student learning experience. The first year experience allows incoming students the ability to create new bonds, experience what it means to be a Celt, and learn more about the foundation of UST’s Catholic mission.

The Veteran Success Center provides assistance and services to veterans attending UST.

learn more - VETSTART

The Rising Stars program provides crucial financial support and meaningful internship opportunities to first-generation students who would otherwise not be able to attend UST. 

learn more - Rising Stars

The St. Thomas Promise offers free tuition to eligible full-time freshmen students who may not otherwise be able to afford college.

learn more - St. Thomas Promise

The Nursing Success Center provides educational enhancement and nurturing of each and every nursing student.

learn more - Nursing Success Center

Peer Success coaches offer “at-risk” sophomore students the opportunity to receive peer mentorship, academic and social support, and ask questions about campus events, classes, relationships, etc.

Need a Peer Success Coach? Sign Up Today!

The Mendenhall Summer Institute is a five-week program for 1st year Celts to gain an intricate understanding of UST’s academic principles. Held in July, students will have the ability to develop earnest connections with peers as well as Mendenhall Mentors by participating in various activities and outings around the Houston area.

The Engineering Success Center provides engineering students with access to services and resources to enhance their education and success within engineering careers.

learn more - Engineering Success Center

The Student Success Center is committed to providing student support services that contribute to the successful retention and graduation from the University of St. Thomas.

learn more - Title V Chart Program

Title V CORE Program is a federally funded program designated to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of students.

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The UST STEM Success Center helps students set goals and develop career plans, along with access to a peer mentoring program.

learn more - STEM