Hazel Scott/ASU
Alabama State University has been selected as one of 17 higher education institutions nationwide to receive the inaugural Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Project of Excellence Award from The Commission on Colleges and Universities (The Commission). The award recognizes ASU's A Journey to Success in the First Year Experience, a comprehensive initiative designed to create an engaging, supportive learning environment and strengthen student success during the critical first year of college.
The inaugural awards recognize institutions whose QEP initiatives demonstrated measurable improvements in student learning, student success, or both.
“This national recognition is a tremendous source of pride for Alabama State University and affirms our unwavering commitment to putting students at the center of everything we do. This award reflects the intentional efforts taking place across our University to strengthen the student experience and advance academic achievement. We understand that student success begins well before graduation; it is rooted in fostering an environment where students feel supported, engaged, and prepared to address the challenges and opportunities of their college journey,” said ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. “We are proud that our dedication to the first-year experience is being acknowledged, and we remain committed to ensuring every Hornet has the foundation and support necessary to thrive.”
More than 50 institutions voluntarily submitted their QEP impact reports for consideration, making ASU's selection a notable recognition of the University's commitment to improving the student experience and advancing academic achievement.
“These 17 institutions set a goal for their students, followed through over several years, and can show the results,” said Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt, president of The Commission, in a statement. “That work deserves to be seen, and other institutions can learn from it. We’re excited to recognize these institutions for the work they’ve done to put students first, always.”
For Alabama State University, the recognition highlights the importance of creating a strong foundation for students as they transition into college life. Through its A Journey to Success in the First Year Experience QEP, the University focused on establishing an engaging and supportive learning environment to help first-year students navigate the academic and personal demands of higher education.
The recognition also underscores the importance of intentional, sustained efforts to improve student outcomes. As part of the accreditation reaffirmation process, institutions develop focused, multi-year QEP initiatives targeting specific student learning outcomes or student success measures. These plans require institutional commitment, dedicated resources, implementation, and an assessment of their effectiveness.
A National Recognition of Student Success
Alabama State University joins 16 other institutions representing a broad cross-section of American higher education, including community and technical colleges, public and private universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic-serving institutions.
The winning projects address a broad range of priorities that directly support student learning and achievement.
Complementing ASU’s focus on first-year student success, these initiatives target key areas of academic development, including improving online education, strengthening reading and mathematics proficiency, building quantitative literacy, fostering civic engagement and global learning, expanding undergraduate research opportunities, and enhancing communication skills and career planning.
“Our Quality Enhancement Plan reflects a University-wide commitment to improving student outcomes through intentional strategies and measurable results. A Journey to Success in the First Year Experience represents the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, administrators and campus partners to create a supportive and engaging environment for students. This recognition validates that work and reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement and student success,” emphasized Dr. Tanjula Petty, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness, Strategic Initiatives and Transformation.
Petty recognized Dr. Veolanda Peoples, accreditation and QEP coordinator, for her dedication, leadership and contributions to advancing ASU’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which played an instrumental role in achieving the commission’s recognition.
The 17 institutions selected for the inaugural QEP Project of Excellence Awards are: Alabama State University (Alabama), Cisco College (Texas), Dallas International University (Texas), Jefferson Community and Technical College (Kentucky), Laredo College (Texas), Midlands Technical College (South Carolina), Mountain Empire Community College (Virginia), Panola College (Texas), Piedmont Virginia Community College (Virginia), Prairie View A&M University (Texas), Savannah College of Art and Design (Georgia), Tennessee State University (Tennessee), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (Texas), Texas Southern University (Texas), Tri-County Community College (North Carolina), University of Louisiana at Lafayette (Louisiana), and Wade College (Texas).
The Commission will share additional information about each winning project in the weeks ahead. All 17 institutions will be recognized during The Commission's Annual Meeting, Dec. 5-8, 2026, in Houston, Texas.
About Alabama State University
Alabama State University, located in Montgomery, Alabama, is a historic public university dedicated to providing students with a high-quality educational experience and preparing them for leadership, professional achievement, and meaningful contributions to their communities. Through its commitment to academic excellence, student development, and institutional effectiveness, ASU continues to advance opportunities for student success.
About The Commission on Colleges and Universities
The Commission on Colleges and Universities (The Commission) is an institutional accreditor committed to advancing educational quality and strengthening the effectiveness of its member institutions. Through a process grounded in peer review, accountability, and continuous improvement, The Commission supports institutions in their efforts to serve students and communities while maintaining public confidence in higher education.