Computing & Information Technology (C&IT) is collaborating with Academic Affairs within the Office of the Provost to re-implement  Student Tracking Advising Retention System, or STARS, a web application that interacts with a collection of Wayne State University databases.  

Right now, advisors, faculty and other academic staff working directly with students are forced to use multiple tools and applications. This web of systems makes it difficult to maintain consistent dialogue between all departments and a single student, delays appointments, and creates inefficient processes. 

“Student success remains at the top of our priorities,” said C&IT Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice President, Daren Hubbard. “Providing faculty and staff a comprehensive view of student data with STARS 2.0 will put us in a better position as an entire university to work together and continue to improve the student experience from application to graduation.” 

STARS 2.0, as the project refers to the updated tool, is designed to enable convenient access to university data at both an individual and aggregate level to support advising, retention efforts, curriculum tracking and program evaluation. It will be the first tool at Wayne State to include all features needed to allow employees who are engaged in student success to collaborate efficiently and transparently. 

“Every student has a unique purpose and a unique set of needs in college, and the entire campus is responsible for that student,” said Sr. Associate Provost, Monica Brockmeyer. “C&IT has done an exceptional job of engaging stakeholders across the campus to create something that will not only meet our current student success needs but will grow with our campus as we continue to innovate.” 

This change will help to further foster an environment in which all Warriors may learn and thrive in their college career — and graduate in a timely manner so they may enjoy the benefits of a college degree throughout their lives. Students will be able to work with advisors and their professors without receiving conflicting information, while academic staff will be able to provide pro-active, timely, individualized and coordinated support. 

New features included in STARS 2.0 

• Centralized advising notes  
• Intervention framework 
• Continuous software improvements
• Reduced costs by being housed within the university 
• Alignment with student journey model 

More information will be shared with the university community as the STARS 2.0 project progresses. 

C&IT is Wayne State University's central IT organization, in the Division of Academic Affairs. Daren Hubbard is Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Wayne State University and Associate Vice President for C&IT. For support Wayne State IT systems or services, please contact the C&IT Help Desk at 313-577-4357 or helpdesk@wayne.edu. Find FAQs at tech.wayne.edu/kb and follow us on Twitter @WayneStateCIT for instant updates.