DataYouCanUse@NOVA

March 25, 2025 / @NOVA

Rethinking student success at NOVA through the Richmond Fed Success Rate 
At NOVA, we are committed to ensuring that every student has access to the education, credentials and opportunities they need to thrive. In support of our college mission, we continue to leverage the importance of measuring student success beyond traditional metrics. 

The 2024 Richmond Fed Survey of Community College Outcomes (SCCO) provides new insights into how NOVA contributes to workforce development, student persistence and degree attainment. The study was conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s Community College Initiative. 

Their research, and the report they specifically made for NOVA, highlights a broader definition of student success—one that better captures the reality of our students’ journeys. Instead of focusing solely on associate degree graduation rates of our full-time students only (like the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, or IPEDS, does), the Richmond Fed Success Rate recognizes the multiple pathways students take, including workforce credentials, continued enrollment and transfer to four-year institutions. Additionally the method they used includes our part-time students’ journeys. 

A more inclusive view of success 
Traditional graduation rates, like those reported through IPEDS, do not fully capture the success of community college students, especially given our high number of part-time, working and transfer-bound students. The Richmond Fed Success Rate expands the definition by including:

  • students who transfer before earning a credential;
  • students who complete a workforce-recognized credential;
  • students who are still enrolled in good standing after four years .

For NOVA, this broader approach makes a significant difference in how we understand student outcomes.

Success metric table

  • IPEDS graduation rate for NOVA:  37.3%
  • Richmond Fed Success Rate for NOVA:  53.6%    

This means that when looking beyond just degree completion, over half of NOVA’s students achieve a meaningful success outcome—a powerful testament to the impact of our programs. 

More key findings from the report: 
Dual enrollment continues to be a critical pipeline for future NOVA students, particularly in Virginia where participation is among the highest in the region. With statewide policy changes affecting funding for dual enrollment, faculty and staff play a crucial role in ensuring these students remain engaged and transition successfully to college-level coursework at NOVA. 

While traditional degree pathways remain important, short-term, career-aligned workforce programs are helping more students move directly into high-demand jobs. However, compared to neighboring states, expanding access to these programs or transfer programs will help meet regional employer demand while providing alternative success pathways for students. 

How NOVA faculty and staff can use this data to support student success 
The Richmond Fed Success Rate reinforces what we already know—student success is about more than just graduation rates. As faculty and staff, you play a key role in shaping how students progress toward their goals. Here’s how you can help:

  1.  Encourage Students to Think About Their Long-Term Goals. 
  2.  Discuss workforce credentials and degree pathways early and often.
  3.  Connect students to career and transfer advising as part of your courses or interactions. 
  4.  Help students understand how earning an associate degree before transferring can improve their career outcomes. 
  5.  Highlight structured transfer options to ensure students are making informed decisions 

In short, every data point represents a student with a unique story and individual aspirations. By thinking about this new success metric, provided by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s Community College Initiative, we gain a clearer understanding of how NOVA is fulfilling its mission to provide equitable access to affordable, high-quality education. 

This article is part of the @DataYouCanUse series, where we bring data insights that drive action. To explore NOVA’s institutional data in more detail, visit the Office of Strategic Insights page on our website. For more questions please connect with Dr. Nathan Carter or Sam Shi, associate vice president, Office of Strategic Insights.

—Dr. Nathan Carter, chief institutional effectiveness & inclusion officer, Office of Care and Inclusion