Midwest First-Year Conference

Vincent Tinto is a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University and the former Chair of the Higher Education Program. He has carried out research and has written extensively on higher education, particularly on student success and the impact of learning communities on student growth and attainment. His book, Leaving College, published by the University of Chicago Press, lays out a theory and policy perspective on student success that is considered the benchmark by which work on these issues are judged. His most recent book, Completing College,also published by The University of Chicago Press, lays out a framework for institutional action for student success, describes the range of programs that have been effective in enhancing student success, and the types of policies institutions should follow to successfully implement programs in ways that endure and scale-up over time.

He has received numerous recognitions and awards including Harry S. Truman Award by the American Association of Community Colleges, the Council of Educational Opportunity Walter O. Mason Award, the Council of Independent Colleges Academic Leadership Award, the National Institute for Staff Development International Leadership Award and was named Distinguished Fellow in the Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations. He has some 50 notable publications, including books, research reports, and journal articles, to his credit and has lectured across the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and South America. From 1990 to 1996 he was associate director of the National Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment. He has worked with a number of organizations, foundations, and government agencies on issues of student success and sits on a number of advisory boards including the Community College Survey of Student Engagement and The Lumina Foundation.

Dr. Tinto received his B.S. from Fordham in Physics and Philosophy, his M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Physics and Mathematics, and his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Education and Sociology.