In recognition of his exceptional work in academic student support, including first-year student initiatives, Dr. Lance Vanderberg, Assistant Director of the Academic Enrichment Center and Coordinator of Academic Success at Taylor University, has been awarded the Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award from the Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience.
The award is given to individuals on college campuses involved in developing effective practices for first-year student success. Each year, university presidents are invited to nominate one educator on their campus who exhibits exceptional work in the areas of student learning, development, and success.
Nominated by Dr. Michael Lindsay, President of Taylor University, Dr. Vanderberg was honored to represent Taylor at the 44th Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience, sponsored by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition. The conference was held on February 16-19, 2025, in New Orleans. The conference covered wide-ranging topics related to promoting first-year student success, including best practices for first-year courses, promoting sense of belonging on campus, and working with Generation Z students.
Dr. Vanderberg has a unique approach to student success including deep care and concern for his students, a focus on retention, and an application of quantitative reasoning to the field, according to Dr. Scott Gaier, Director of the Academic Enrichment Center. “Oftentimes in the student success field, practitioners gravitate to only one of these areas or perhaps a couple,” Gaier explains. “But rarely do they have the willingness or perhaps the ability to synthesize all three.”
As Vanderberg works with first-year students, his main goals are to support students in their transition to college, promote student learning, and ultimately help students persist to graduation. One unique and tangible aspect of Vanderberg’s role is oversight of Taylor’s Transition to College Program, which is intentionally designed to help students reach their full potential as learners. Students enrolled in the program participate in a student success course, one-on-one meetings, and first-year advising.
As an academic coach, Vanderberg enjoys regular interaction with students enrolled in the program and prioritizes getting to know each of them as individual learners. As a leader in the Academic Enrichment Center, Vanderberg thoughtfully considers how to apply statistical thought to unique situations, improve student learning, and boost retention–evidenced by Taylor’s impressive 91% retention rate.
The goal of the Academic Enrichment Center is to help any student succeed academically and holistically while at Taylor and beyond. The AEC faculty and staff are trained professionals who care deeply about students and helping them develop holistically into life-long learners. All students are invited to seek out AEC resources for any type of academic help and support they may need.
