CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Austin Peay State University is leading Tennessee's four-year institutions in increasing student retention and graduation rates.
In recognition of its success, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission has recommended the school receive a 13 percent funding increase for the 2013-14 school year.
The Leaf-Chronicle reports (http://leafne.ws/UxI3HH) some of the improvement can be attributed to innovative efforts to give students opportunities to finish degrees faster. Those include the addition of a winter term and the Degree Compass program that helps students pick courses.
The Clarksville school is the fastest growing university in the state.
Since 2009, degree completions at Austin Peay have increased more than 20 percent.
In May it graduated its largest class ever, with 1,075 graduates.