Case Study: University of South Florida achieves 93% first-year retention with Appian

University of South Florida - Customer Case Study

University of South Florida (USF), a Tampa-based public research university with over 50,000 students, tasked its IT team with meeting state-mandated student success targets—specifically a 90% first‑year retention and a 70% four‑year graduation rate—while overcoming fragmented student data, siloed advising, and missed early warning signs of attrition.

Using Appian, USF developed an application that maps strategic goals to capabilities: it consolidates student information into a single source, tracks red-flag behaviors (e.g., changing majors, missed milestones), and alerts staff to enable timely, tailored advising and cross‑department collaboration. Within two years the university surpassed its retention goal, achieving a 93% first‑year retention rate and improved adviser coordination and intervention timing.

University of South Florida

Sidney Fernandes

System Vice President/CIO