LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena student athletes graduated at the College's highest rate in a dozen years, according to the latest NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) Report released earlier this week. Siena Athletics achieved a 95% GSR – the department's highest rate since 2012 – with a total of 11 programs posting perfect 100% rates.
"The increases and record highs in graduation success rates over the last two decades demonstrate the unique talents, abilities and tenacity of college athletes to achieve academic excellence, while performing at the highly competitive level of Division I athletics," said Robert Davies, president emeritus of Central Michigan and chair of the Division I Committee on Academics. "The Committee on Academics applauds student-athletes for their remarkable achievements and celebrates college educators and campus leaders for their commitment to advancing student-athlete academic success."
The 95% graduation success rate achieved by Siena Athletics was the highest since also accruing a 95% rate in 2012, and outpaced the national Division I record average of 91% by four points. Siena posted a school-record 98% rate in 2011. Siena Athletics has boasted a graduation success rate of 90% or higher in all 20 NCAA reports since the rates were first released annually beginning back in 2005.
"There's a sea change reshaping Division I collegiate athletics, but Siena's commitment to graduating student athletes who are prepared to be leaders within their communities is unwavering," said Siena College President Chuck Seifert, Ph.D. "We promise all Saints an education that will shape them for a lifetime, and not only do our student athletes graduate at a rate well beyond the national average – but they activate their degrees in innumerable ways to improve the world around them."
A total of 11 Siena Athletics programs posted perfect 100% graduation success rates in the latest report – the highest total in three years – which reflects the percentage of student athletes who enrolled at Siena College as freshmen in the Fall of 2017 who went on to graduate. Siena Men's Cross Country/Track, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country/Track, Women's Golf, Women's Lacrosse, Softball, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, and Volleyball all achieved perfect marks in this year's report.
"Graduation is not a goal at Siena, it's a pact between the College and the students, and nothing is more important," said Provost Margaret Madden, Ph.D. "A Siena degree unlocks an extraordinary future for our Saints, and our faculty, coaches, and staff work together to ensure every student athlete is on a steady path to graduate and realize that future."
The NCAA Graduation Success Rate Report gives graduation information for students and student athletes who entered college in 2017, the most recent class for which the required six years of information is available. It also breaks down the GSR by sport, using a four-year class average (2014-17) called a cohort rate to provide a big enough sample.
"Despite the continually changing landscape across collegiate athletics, our Saints have been steadfast in their commitment to graduate," said Vice President and Director of Athletics John D'Argenio. "I applaud our now alumni as well as both our current and former coaches and support staff who have collaborated in our mission of Building Better Saints, which is reflected by our highest graduation success rate in 12 years."
The NCAA developed the GSR because the Federal Graduation Rate (FGR) does not credit institutions with student athletes who leave in good academic standing and go on to graduate, or transfers into the school who graduate. Siena recorded a 72% FGR, with a pair of programs – men's golf and women's tennis – notching unblemished 100% cohort FGR's. The FGR is based on a comparison of the number of students who entered a college or university and the number of those who graduated within six years. For example, for every 100 Siena student athletes entering school from 2014-17, 72 went on to graduate from Siena within six years.
"A core priority of our Athletic Department, and a cornerstone of our Building Better Saints Program, is ensuring that our Saints graduate," said Assistant Athletic Director/Advising Anthony Pelliccia. "With a 95% graduation success rate – our highest in 12 years – we are proud of the dedication and effort we invest in helping our students thrive academically. For us, success in the classroom is just as vital as success on the field, and our Saints approach both with the same championship-level work ethic."
