Clayton State hosts National Institute for Student Success (NISS) on Campus for Implementation Site Visit

(October 27, 2025) - Clayton State University recently hosted leadership from the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) for a series of meetings with faculty, staff and students. NISS partners with colleges and universities with a simple philosophy “we can do better” by focusing on removing institutional barriers to completion and removing them.  

In the opening meeting with NISS, Dr. Georj Lewis, President of Clayton State University said, “This partnership with NISS is a significant step for our institution, it connects directly with part of our strategic plan focused on enrollment growth and student success.”  He added, “When we admit students, part of our promise to them is that we will do everything we can to give them all the tools they will need to be successful. So, thank you to the USG (University System of Georgia) for supporting us and investing in the Clayton State student.”  

The NISS approach aids colleges and universities as they leverage data to identify and understand these institutionally created barriers to completion. They also believe that with the right coaching and support that institutions can create stronger enrollment, retention and graduation outcomes for students from all backgrounds.  

The most challenging part of the process for any institution is admitting that the existing policies and practices that your organization has in place may be the barrier to student success, not a lack of effort on the students’ part. So, institutions that commit to the NISS process need to start with the toughest of questions: “Are we the problem?”  

When asked what characteristics institutions need to achieve the most success from the NISS program, Kelly Koch, M. Ed., Interim Assistant Director of Client Services Delivery with NISS said “The capacity and the willingness for change. And what I am already hearing from Clayton State is that you want what is best for your students and that is another key driver of success.” 

The Board of Regents of the USG stated that they would be supporting USG institutions to undergo the Diagnostic & Playbook process. The opportunity would occur in cohorts. Institutions were required to apply and were put into cohorts. CSU was fortunate to be placed in the first cohort. 

The Georgia cohort of institutions participating include the Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Clayton State University, College of Costal Georgia, Georgia Southwestern University, Gordon State College, and Georgia Gwinnett College.