Our mission is to produce and elevate research to reduce barriers, improve equity, and support student success in higher education. We do this through intentional partnerships with practitioners and policymakers in the field.
About the Lab
We believe that better academic research can expand college access and student success in lasting ways. We do this by collaborating with practitioners to develop and implement research studies addressing their specific needs and capacity constraints.
Research Areas
The SSTAR Lab conducts original research and evaluation on issues related to college opportunity and student success. Across all our work, we prioritize the practical side of research and promote ongoing improvement to better support current and future students.
SSTAR Lab Blog
We use this platform to share current research and practical insights to reduce barriers, improve equity, and support student success in higher education. Whether you’re a researcher, practitioner, policymaker, or just someone interested in higher education research, we hope you find this site informative and useful!
Recent SSTAR Lab Publications
SSTAR Lab released a report titled A Framework for Conceptualizing and Analyzing Equity and Adequacy in Postsecondary Funding Models. This framework provides a structure to guide state policymakers and administrators through the process of understanding, identifying, and assessing disparities in funding for higher education.
SSTAR Lab’s Dr. Amberly Dziesinski takes a look at the first cohort of Bucky’s Tuition Promise recipients and assesses retention into the second year, deb accumulated within four years, and graduation within four years.
SSTAR Lab reviews the recent changes in FTI data related to FAFSA reform and offers context, examples of alternative measures, and descriptions of lessons learned for researchers Navigating FTI conversations. This brief was produced in partnership with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
SSTAR Lab in the News
UW report explores how to address funding disparities in higher education
Wisconsin Public Radio Central Time (Jan 30,2024)
New report outlines how ‘equity-based’ funding could close higher education achievement gaps
UW-Madison News (Jan 10, 2024)
More than 12k Wisconsinites to see student loan forgiveness under changes to income-based repayment plans
Wisconsin Public Radio News (Aug 24, 2023)
A Viewer’s Guide to Today’s Supreme Court Hearing
Inside Higher Ed (Feb 27, 2023)