January 8, 2026
Over the past decade, East Texas Baptist University has experienced remarkable progress in student success, driven by a unified campus commitment to academic excellence, integration of faith and learning, and student support.
Since 2011, ETBU has increased its four-year graduation rate by 28 percentage points, representing a 147% improvement. This growth has positioned ETBU above the average of 16 peer Christian and regional universities, making the University one of the leading institutions in this category. In addition, ETBU has awarded 64% more undergraduate and graduate degrees over the past ten years, demonstrating the lasting impact of the University’s student success initiatives.
Vice President for Academics and Provost Dr. Thomas Sanders emphasized the collaborative nature of this transformation. “When we started this journey 13 years ago, it was really beyond our consideration that we could make this much progress, chiefly because it takes a long time and a great deal of strategic and continual effort from many different leaders to improve graduation rates to this extent. I am so thankful for all the people, past and present, who led with the end in mind: graduating more Christian servant leaders who are following their calling to God and humanity.”
ETBU’s progress is especially significant given its student body demographics. Nearly 40 percent of ETBU students are first-generation college students, meaning that earning a degree is not just a milestone for the individual but a breakthrough for the entire family.
“We have a lot of students who arrive without a family history of higher education success,” Assistant Provost for Adult and Graduate Studies Bryan Mead said. “This is both exciting and daunting for these students who are blazing a trail for their family but also may not have the academic resources they need before they arrive on campus.”
A combination of strategic policy changes, student-focused faculty development, enhanced academic assistance, and the creation of the University Thrive program has driven this decade-long improvement. Thrive provides students with academic coaching, career-readiness opportunities, and holistic support designed to help them succeed inside and outside the classroom.
At the heart of a student’s journey at ETBU is the Office of Academic Success, which walks alongside Tigers from their first semester through graduation and beyond. Housed in Jarrett Learning Center, the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) and Writing Lab offer personalized tutoring, writing consultations, and academic coaching designed to empower students to become confident, independent learners. Undergraduate students receive peer-to-peer support from trained tutors who excel in their own studies, while graduate students benefit from professional writing assistance tailored to the demands of advanced coursework. Programs such as Supplemental Instruction and Power Hours provide collaborative, course-specific study opportunities that reinforce classroom learning and prepare students for exams. Whether guiding students in choosing a degree path, providing accommodations for physical or learning needs, or simply offering encouragement, the Office of Academic Success ensures that every Tiger has the resources and support to advance academically.
“Our staff consists of dedicated leaders who love students and want to see them succeed,” Dr. Mead said. “Our culture at ETBU is very student-centered, and the group in Academic Success exemplifies what it means to put students first in everything they do. It’s true when they are making attendance calls, training our student tutors, providing one-on-one coaching, or offering testing support.”
ETBU student-athletes continue to raise the bar for academic achievement. In Spring 2025, Tiger Athletics achieved the highest grade point average in department history, with a 3.33 semester GPA and a 3.34 cumulative GPA, significantly up from a 3.00 semester GPA and 3.01 cumulative GPA in Fall 2016.
“The first semester for our freshmen student-athletes is the most challenging,” ETBU Head Football Coach Calvin Ruzicka said. “Every routine is new from where they live, eat, being away from family and friends, meetings, practice, and learning to navigate class schedules. The faculty and staff in Academic Success help them through this adjustment period, especially with time management and study skills. Our ACE lab for tutoring is easy to access and provides academic support to any of our students who need it. The willingness and availability of our professors to meet with students not only during office hours but also when students need assistance show how much this university truly cares about the well-being and success of its students. I feel these intentional, personal relationships help foster our Christ-centered educational experience at ETBU and lead to the retention and ultimately graduation of our student-athletes.”
As ETBU looks ahead to the next decade, the University remains committed to maintaining an environment where students can discover their purpose, achieve academic success, and transform the world through Christian servant leadership.
“When students thrive in the classroom, in their community, and in their spiritual life, they stay engaged and complete their degrees,” Senior Vice President for Campus Life Ryan Erwin said. “Our progress in retention and graduation rates reflects the power of a campus working together. Every department plays a role in supporting students and laying a foundation that carries them all the way to graduation.”