We say it in our mission statement: we “help individuals question critically, think logically, reason effectively, communicate clearly, act creatively, and live ethically.” There is no goal more important to our university than educating our students and launching them into productive, fulfilling lives. That happens in every school, college, campus, and department. That focus is also reflected in our numbers. Our retention rate for first-year students is well above the national average. And at the other end of their academic journey, we've seen big gains in graduation rates over the past decade.

Such successful outcomes begin with strong undergraduate education and coordinated support. Multiple levels of engaged advisors are invested in guiding our students on pathways to success. Specialized advising programs, including support for international and multicultural scholars support students’ unique experiences and learning. Extending their networks beyond the campus, we also encourage students to establish mentoring relationships with professionals who work in their areas of career interest.

Preparing future stewards for sovereign nations, our new Home Flight Scholars Program provides resources and financial assistance to undergraduate Oregon residents who are enrolled as members of a federally recognized tribe. For more than a decade, the PathwayOregon program has ensured that academically qualified, Federal Pell Grant–eligible Oregonians receive full financial and wrap-around personal support. We’re also committed to the lifelong well-being of our students, creating opportunities for Ducks to flourish their entire lives. Nobody sums up the lifelong endeavor better than the UO Alumni Association when they say, “Once a Duck, Always a Duck.”