South Carolina will be one of seven states to participate in a new national initiative led by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association aimed at expanding holistic advising systems that support student success, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education announced today. 

The two-year initiative, Holistic Advising for Student Success, will employ a sequenced program of assessment, coaching, and in-person collaboration to strengthen state leadership in building research-based advising systems.

Advising systems are often fragmented across academic planning, financial aid, basic needs, and career services. This initiative will leverage best practices to promote proactive, relationship-centered advising to improve college retention and completion through technical assistance, coaching, and peer learning opportunities. State teams will assess current advising landscapes, identify policy levers for reform, and advance scalable, student-centered models.

“South Carolina has made significant progress in expanding access to higher education, but we know that access alone is not enough,” said CHE College Completion and Transfer and Articulation Manager Tim Rees, Ed.D. “This initiative allows us to strengthen the systems that support students from enrollment through completion—ensuring they have the guidance and resources needed to succeed.”

SHEEO leaders emphasize the importance of this initiative at a national level. 

“This learning community recognizes that advising is not just an academic function but is a critical driver of student belonging and success,” said John Lane, SHEEO vice president for academic affairs. “By equipping states with the tools and partnerships needed to align advising across systems, we can ensure every student receives coordinated support from enrollment to completion.”

For more information about the Holistic Advising for Student Success project, visit https://sheeo.org/project/holistic-advising-for-student-success/.