La Roche University Receives Nearly $3 Million Federal Grant to Strengthen Student Success and Career Readiness

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 23, 2026 – La Roche University has received a federal Title III, Part A Strengthening Institutions Program grant to support Redhawk RISE: Retention through Innovation, Support, and Engagement, an initiative with a total five-year budget of nearly $3 million to strengthen student success, career preparation, and the University’s academic infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded La Roche $1,467,303 for the first year of the project. The full five-year budget totals $2,988,166, with additional funding expected through annual award notices.

Redhawk RISE will bring together academic support, career-connected learning, faculty development, and improvements to campus learning spaces and technology. The initiative is designed to help more students succeed in their courses, remain on track toward graduation, and gain the knowledge and experience needed for their careers.

“This investment will allow La Roche to build on our commitment to helping every student succeed,” said La Roche President Christina Clark, Ph.D. “By enhancing academic support, expanding opportunities for hands-on learning, and investing in the spaces and resources our students need, we are creating a more connected experience from their first year through graduation and beyond.”

The grant will support several interconnected initiatives across the University:

• Expanded academic support: La Roche will strengthen its Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA) through additional tutoring, academic coaching, Supplemental Instruction, early-alert systems, and other resources that help students address challenges and maintain academic progress.
• More career-connected learning opportunities: Students will have expanded access to internships, faculty-led research, applied projects through the Student Operated Learning Venture and Experience (SOLVE) Center, mentoring, job shadowing, and mock interviews. Stipends for certain internships and research opportunities will help reduce financial barriers to participation.
• Additional student-support staff: New positions, including a Career Readiness Advisor, Student Success Coordinator, and Retention Specialist, will provide more individualized guidance as students navigate their academic and career goals.
• Improved learning spaces and equipment: Planned investments include renovations to Wright Library to expand spaces for tutoring, studying, collaboration, and career preparation, along with updated classroom technology and specialized equipment for laboratory and design-based learning.
• Technology and faculty development: New digital learning tools and data systems will help the University identify students who may need additional support. Faculty development and course redesign will also expand opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with practical experience.

The project includes new scientific instrumentation, such as an atomic absorption spectrometer and a real-time polymerase chain reaction system, that will give chemistry and biology students additional opportunities to conduct applied research using equipment relevant to their fields.

“Redhawk RISE is designed to connect the many ways we support students, rather than treating academic success and career preparation as separate efforts,” said Gregor Thuswaldner, Ph.D., provost and dean of the faculty. “Students will benefit from more coordinated academic guidance, expanded opportunities to apply what they learn, and learning environments that support both individual achievement and collaboration. These investments will strengthen the educational experience across the University.”

Over the five-year project period, La Roche aims to increase student use of academic support services by 20% and participation in high-impact and work-based learning opportunities by 25% over first-year baselines. The University also has established goals to improve student persistence and graduation rates.

The Title III, Part A Strengthening Institutions Program provides funding to eligible institutions to strengthen academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability. Through Redhawk RISE, La Roche will invest in coordinated programs, personnel, facilities, and technology intended to support student success during the grant period and beyond.

About La Roche University: An independent liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, cybersecurity and forensics, psychology, nursing, and health and medical sciences as well as interior architecture & design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for women and men enjoying multiple student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.

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