CLARKSVILLE, TN − When Alaila Malave arrived at Austin Peay State University (APSU) for the Govs Success Institute (GSI), she was overwhelmed.

“I came by myself here, so I got here, and they told us to go to our hall lobby, and I didn’t know what that meant,” said the first-generation college student and self-described introvert from Columbia, Tennessee. “I was very stressed out.” But within days, Malave’s perspective shifted.

“I loved it,” she said. “It’s very welcoming here. They make you feel very comfortable.”

Malave’s transformation is what the GSI program, launched this summer, aims to achieve. The week-long initiative targets first-year residential students, particularly those identified as needing additional support, providing a comprehensive introduction to college life before the semester begins.

The program was a perfect fit for Malave, who is majoring in business marketing and minoring in psychology.

“I felt like it would be a great thing for me to do,” she said. “Anything for me to succeed, I’m going to do.”

The GSI’s impact extends beyond familiarizing students with campus life. Rashad Cockrell, director of community belonging at Austin Peay, emphasized the program’s role in building lasting connections.

“We are trying to make sure they have a community where they talk to each other and learn more about each other,” he said.

The focus on community-building resonated strongly with participants. By the end of the program, 96% of students reported successfully building or strengthening relationships. The same percentage strongly agreed they felt confident in their ability to perform well academically at APSU. For Malave, the program’s impact was transformative.

“I went from not talking at all in the first two days to helping others and being there for them by the end of the program,” she said.

The survey data shows a 22% increase in students feeling comfortable asking staff and peers for help. Malave’s growth led to her winning the program’s Outstanding Participant Award, given to the student who best embodied GSI’s goals.

Comprehensive college preparation

The GSI’s approach includes teambuilding activities, academic workshops, and introductions to campus resources. Students visited APSU President Mike Licari’s house for a cookout, tackled a ropes course, and engaged in community service. These experiences contributed to a 100% satisfaction rate with the program’s teambuilding activities and leadership sessions.

Cockrell noted the program’s importance for first-generation college students.

“Most of the participants were first-generation college students, so they didn’t have the knowledge from their parents or siblings on how to navigate college,” he said.

The program addressed this gap, resulting in a 58% increase in students strongly agreeing they were familiar with on-campus offices and resources.

“Govs Success Institute is making a tangible difference by fostering self-confidence and community among our students,” said Dr. Lindsey Gilmore, associate vice president for campus engagement. “I’m excited to watch their continued development at APSU.”

Malave’s experience underscores the program’s long-term impact.

“Without that program, I feel like I wouldn’t have been able to do it,” she said. “That program really set me up for the first week of school.”

Her sentiment is echoed in the survey results, showing a 45% increase in students feeling strongly prepared for their first year at Austin Peay.

Dr. Christopher Clarke, Austin Peay’s assistant vice president for community belonging and success, sees the GSI as a key component of the university’s commitment to student success.

“The more students are connected academically, socially, and to the community, the more likely they are to persist,” he said.

For more information about the Govs Success Institute, contact the Office of Community Belonging & Success at cbs@apsu.edu.