October 13 2022

Credo and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities are pleased to announce the Fall 2022 Moving the Needle cohort. Building on the momentum of the inaugural cohort of four ACCU institutions, this new group will continue to promote an inclusive, student-centric culture through Moving The Needle, a partnership that engages the full campus community in developing, implementing, and enhancing the conditions, practices, systems, and solutions that foster student success and retention.

Please join us in congratulating:

  • Anna Maria College | Paxton, MA
  • Felician University | Rutherford, NJ
  • Misericordia University | Dallas, PA
  • Mount Saint Mary's University | Los Angeles, CA 
  • Siena Heights University | Adrian, MI 

For ACCU member schools, improving retention rates is essential to enhancing the inclusive, student-centered mission of Catholic higher education. At a challenging time for increasing new student enrollment, improved retention is a critical strategy for institutions to achieve sustained financial resilience.

Credo Chairman Tom Gavic says:

"With the ACCU’s emphasis on enrolling and graduating first-generation and low-income students of diverse backgrounds, Credo is thrilled to provide vital momentum to accelerate student success goals through Moving the Needle."

Work has been underway this fall with Credo and Pharos Resources, a higher education software and solutions firm, to implement a Success Intelligence Platform for each of the ACCU institutions.

Outcomes of Student Success Cohorts

Joining the 2021 cohort, this group will:

  • Improve retention and graduation rates leading to a corresponding increase in institutional net revenue and the strengthening of institutional culture and regional impact.
  • Build on the rich collaborative expertise on each campus and the proven results of Credo’s Moving the Needle project.
  • Strengthen their capacity to support students from matriculation to graduation.
  • Identify challenges and opportunities with retention, uncover the most promising areas for progress, and implement proven strategies for success.

Catalyzing Growth, Growing Net Revenue

The work has the potential to catalyze increased health and sustainability for the institutions, their students, and their communities. Together the 2020, 2021, and 2022 MTN classes are projected to add 894 new graduates during the five-year partnership, 344 new graduates each year after year five of MTN, and a combined $73MM in new net institutional revenue.

About the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

Founded in 1899, the ACCU serves as the collective voice of U.S. Catholic higher education. Through programs and services, the association strengthens and promotes the Catholic identity and mission of its member institutions so that all associated with Catholic higher education can contribute to the greater good of the world and the Church.


We are now enrolling the 2023 Moving The Needle Class.

Learn more about how to join Moving The Needle.


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