The NCAA today released the federally-mandated graduation rate report on athletic programs around the country.  In the latest analysis, Wayne State University student-athletes had a graduation rate 26 percent greater than the comparable campus population.

Twelve (12) of WSU's 15 Division II athletic teams improved their ASR score, including nine teams that had significant improvement of at least 18 percent.

“These statistical accomplishments underscore the hardwork and emphasis that student-athletes, coaches and administrators place on the University's primary mission,” stated Director of Athletics Rob Fournier. “We have devoted considerable energy and resources to achieve our academic objectives. These reports substantiate that effort, and when combined with our competitive success (top 10 percent of all Division II schools six of the last seven years) and community service (7,555 hours during the 2009-10 school year) it gives a good picture of where we are as a department.”

The data released was for those student-athletes who began in the Fall of 2003.

In addition, WSU's ASR score was the highest since the study began and shows a 12 percent increase.

In recent years, the WSU athletic department created an Academic Support Services unit which includes an academic advisor for student-athletes, an academic resource center in the Matthaei, tutorial support, peer mentoring, the Connect program as well as a student-athlete development program involving the CHAMPS/LifeSkills initiative to better support student-athletes.