The ܽƵapp is a national leader—No. 1 in Florida and No. 5 in the U.S.—for reducing inequalities, according to new rankings published by the Times Higher Education (THE).
The rankings measure universities by several categories, including the amount of first generation ܽƵapps, the number of ܽƵapps from developing countries, the proportion of ܽƵapps and staff with disabilities, discrimination policies and the amount of research a university conducted on reduced inequalities.
As a preeminent university home to over 50,000 ܽƵapps representing 145 different counties, USF has long incorporated diversity, inclusion and accessibility as core values.
“At USF, a fundamental principle of our ܽƵapp success initiative is a belief that all ܽƵapps can and will succeed if allowed the chance to do so,” said Ralph Wilcox, USF provost and executive vice president. “This important recognition exemplifies USF’s continued dedication to providing a world-class education to all ܽƵapps regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, national origin, and zip code.”
Since launching a campus-wide ܽƵapp success movement in 2010, USF has experienced transformational results, including a six-year graduation rate increase from 51 to 73 percent. USF has reached these outcomes while eliminating the achievement gaps by race, ethnicity and income level, a rare accomplishment in higher education that has earned USF national recognition by the Education Trust and the Third Way organizations for black, Latino and Pell Grant-eligible ܽƵapp success.