SXU School of Nursing Awarded IBHE Grant
Saint Xavier University's (SXU) School of Nursing was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) for their Academic Success Coaching program.
The School of Nursing's Academic Success Coaching program provides additional support for nursing students, including those who are identified as being at risk for non-progression. The grant will allow for the hiring of another success coach. The current model provides students with 19 hours per week of support, but the needs of the growing program require more. The new coach will start during the spring 2026 semester, and the team is hoping to be able to provide 40 hours of support per week.
A portion of the grant funds will be used to eliminate barriers to success for students with financial challenges. Roughly 63% of SXU's nursing students enrolled in 2025 were from underrepresented backgrounds. One-third are low-income and 70% are first-generation students. The grant will help in closing equity gaps and ensuring Saint Xavier can maintain its longstanding mission while meeting the health care needs of the surrounding communities.
"The School of Nursing is committed to our students and their success each and every day. We are proud that our academic support concerns were heard by IBHE, and we look forward to providing more learning opportunities and support for our students with this additional resource," said Charlene Bermele, DNP, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Coaching sessions are designed to provide strategies for academic success and consist of both one-on-one and group sessions. Students are eager to be more successful in their classes and appreciate the flexible schedules for meeting. Sessions are personalized, providing students with the opportunity to choose what they'd like to focus on. Students and coaches discuss challenges and goals, including managing study time, preparing for exams, improving test-taking strategies, and balancing school and life.
"My goal is to help students build confidence and find strategies that work for them, not just offer generic advice. Every session looks a little different because every student's journey is unique," said Anne O'Brien, success coach.
This semester, the program has already received 157 alerts on students and has served students in 66 appointments.
"Our students are so busy juggling many things – school, work, and home responsibilities. When a student arrives to a nursing program, there is an even larger expectation of them to ensure success. Establishing relationships with a consistent, flexible and available support person will make the student feel comfortable, less fearful, and motivated to come back for more support," said Bermele.