SOAR: Summer Orientation and Registration Program Nationally Recognized for Supporting Student Success

Aurora University's SOAR: Summer Orientation and Registration program has been named a finalist for the 2026 Examples of Excelencia, a national, data-driven initiative recognizing programs that demonstrate evidence of effectiveness in improving Latino/a and all student success in higher education. It is the second consecutive year AU has been recognized by Excelencia in Education, the nation's premier authority on advancing Latino/a talent and strengthening the nation's workforce and civic leadership.

SOAR seeks to address first-year attrition by improving the transition to college for Latino/a and all AU students. The onboarding program provides a supportive, inclusive, and engaging transition experience for incoming first-year students and their families through a framework that includes academic advising, access to campus resources, and making meaningful connections that promote academic success and retention.

"SOAR serves as the foundation of students' first-year experience," said Victoria Buchanan, director of orientation at AU. "Students who feel connected, informed, and supported before classes begin are more likely to persist and succeed. SOAR was established to help students build confidence, connect them with campus services, and foster an early sense of belonging before they arrive for the start of classes."

Redesigned in 2022 and rebranded in 2025, SOAR was developed in part to address the changing needs of incoming students and families following the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, institutional data reflected an opportunity to strengthen the first-year experience for Latino/a students through culturally responsive and family-inclusive programming.

Since its inception, SOAR has contributed to strong outcomes for all its participants, including significant outcomes for Latino/a students: 12% more Latino/a students reported building stronger support networks, 5% more reported improved application of academic skills, and 13% more returned to enroll in their third semester compared to those who did not attend SOAR.

More than 400 programs have earned recognition through Examples of Excelencia since the program began in 2005, including AU's Algebra Recitation Program in 2025. SOAR and the other finalists represent the innovative and impactful work happening across higher education institutions and organizations committed to expanding access to a quality college education for all students.