Student Success at Penn State World Campus

The Chaiken Center for Student Success strives to empower World Campus undergraduate and graduate students to achieve their academic and professional goals by fostering an inclusive learning environment with personalized pathways, resources, support, and opportunities for engagement and community impact.

Penn State World Campus offers equal access to integrated, student-centered resources that promote your full participation, the development of your sound educational plan, and the advocacy you need to meet your academic objectives and requirements.

"To have donors like Gene and Roz Chaiken invest in our students means we can continue to provide online learners with the resources and support they need to succeed."

—Dr. Renata Engel, Vice Provost for Online Education

Visit the multiple Chaiken Centers established at Penn State to explore their impact on student success.

Penn State World Campus Student Success Framework

Penn State World Campus has always strived to create quality learner-centered services that empower our students to make independent decisions about their education and discover opportunities to succeed. These services include personalized support and advocacy, responsive communication, and holistic resources curated from around the University. We offer services and develop programming for our students that foster connections through collaborative campus partnerships that are equitable, accessible, and culturally sensitive.

The collaboration of student-focused support services maintained by World Campus is structured to improve our students’ academic outcomes, increase engagement, and help them develop critical life skills they can use in the future.

The Chaiken Center for Student Success at Penn State World Campus connects and guides students to the right resources and support they need — when they need it — as they progress throughout their academic journey. As a student, you can connect with peers and support teams to find direction, information, and networking opportunities.

Penn State World Campus has always strived to create quality learner-centered services that empower our students to make independent decisions about their education and discover opportunities to succeed. These services include personalized support and advocacy, responsive communication, and holistic resources curated from around the University. We offer services and develop programming for our students that foster connections through collaborative campus partnerships that are equitable, accessible, and cult

Empowering student success. Circle graphic with four key pillars: Conversion, Persistence, Retention, and Progression. Within the circle are six key goals: Enrollment pathways, academics, finances, DEIB considerations, engagement, and career.

  • The first goal beneath Conversion, Enrollment Pathways, includes prospect to applicant (P2A), applicant to student (A2S), base to campus, change of campus, re-enrollment, onboarding, and orientation.
  • The goal leading into Persistence, Academics, includes academic/life coaching, advising, degree exploration, learning support, prior learning assessment, program pathways, quality matters, and successful course completion.
  • Finances, the next goal beneath Persistence, includes basic needs support, cost of required materials, employer reimbursement, financial aid/scholarships, literacy, military benefits, and tuition discounts.
  • The first goal beneath Retention, DEIB Considerations, includes age, disability, first generation, gender, LGBTQ+, military, multicultural, and socioeconomic status.
  • The goal leading into Progression, Engagement, includes belonging, co-curricular activities, connection, involvement and leadership, mentoring, support services, and wellness.
  • The final goal, Career, includes advancement, alumni and employer engagement, experiential opportunities, exploration, planning, preparation, and readiness.