At Ohio State, Kia Fletcher combines her expertise with personal experience to inspire first-generation students to thrive — in college and beyond.
Kia Fletcher grew up in a single-parent, low-income household in Akron, Ohio. A first-generation college student, Fletcher benefited greatly from educational access programs like Upward Bound and from mentors who saw her academic potential, curiosity and positive attitude, making her aware that college was a possibility.
But it wasn’t easy. As an undergraduate, she transferred and changed majors multiple times. Today, she’s making sure Ohio State students have an easier path.
Reflecting on her journey, Fletcher notes, “It was the guidance and encouragement I received that made all the difference. Someone believed in me."
Now, as the senior director of academic success programs, Fletcher leads a group of dedicated colleagues providing academic and personal development to new generations of college students — ensuring all undergraduates at Ohio State have access to the tools and assistance they need to succeed.
This spirit of inspiration and empowerment, shaped by her own experiences of being guided toward a better future, drives her passion for helping others realize their potential.
Empowering students at Ohio State
Fletcher believes in an asset-based approach to assisting students, recognizing that each learner has unique strengths and needs. By removing systemic barriers and providing tailored aid, Fletcher and her professional staff and peer mentors empower students to take control of their academic future by developing study skills, instilling confidence and fostering a sense of community.
“Not every student needs the same thing,” said Fletcher. “The most important thing we can do is figure out how to better support students and families in the ways they need us to.”
The largest program Fletcher oversees, First Year Experience (FYE), helps all new Ohio State students transition to college life, providing resources to ensure a strong start. Picking up where the admissions process ends, FYE includes orientation, pre-arrival summer programs, convocation, First Year Success Series workshops and other events driving engagement and academic achievement throughout a student’s first year.
Additional programs, such as Buckeyes First Scholars, Kessler Scholars and SpringForward, provide critical resources and individual guidance for specific student populations. Buckeyes First and Kessler Scholars provide first-generation college students with academic assistance from enrollment to graduation, including individualized success coaching, supplemental instruction, workshops and social events. Supported by a $1 million, five-year grant, Ohio State welcomed its first cohort of Kessler Scholars in autumn 2023. As a partner campus of the 16-member Kessler Scholars Collaborative, Ohio State is part of a diverse national group of higher education institutions reshaping support for first-generation students.
SpringForward is aimed at students seeking greater academic, social and personal success after their first year and offers targeted help to stay on track and succeed. In the program’s three-tiered approach, students enroll in an academic skills and strategies course during their first year, participate in the Summer Enrichment Program in the summer before their second year, and receive ongoing monitoring, support and engagement with staff and peer mentors through graduation, including mindfulness workshops, lunchtime socials and success coaching meetings.
A culture of support
While Fletcher’s title reflects her leadership in the student academic success arena, she’s quick to note that the entire university community has a role in contributing to student retention and achievement. One recent example of this collective effort is the university’s orientation program.
“Orientation is a comprehensive effort at Ohio State,” said Fletcher. “It only happens with the entire university community's collaboration and commitment to the student and family experience. This past summer, we had 93 volunteers, in addition to support from many campus partners and academic units.”
Impressive student turnout for the orientations highlights the program’s success. Fletcher proudly adds that Ohio State had a 98% show rate this past summer for in-person orientations. And that’s with the university enrolling a record first-year class of 9,530 students on the Columbus campus.
Evolving to support changing needs
Yet, even on the heels of a highly effective in-person orientation program, of which Fletcher is very proud, she’s excited to talk about the new virtual orientation Ohio State will pilot next year.
“When we think about access and affordability, and about making sure that we’re supporting all Buckeyes, we know that we have students who may not be able to attend orientation in person,” said Fletcher. “And for those students, it’s important that they still receive a comprehensive introduction to the university — that we welcome them into this community, set them up to achieve their goals and have an amazing Buckeye experience.”
To accomplish these goals, a significant aspect of Fletcher’s leadership style is demonstrating trust in each member of her team. She believes in empowering her staff to lead and innovate within their roles, acknowledging the expertise of each team member and providing them with autonomy as they pursue their work.
“I am humble enough to acknowledge that the expertise lives within my team,” said Fletcher. “I want them to have the autonomy to develop and implement new data-driven interventions. There has to be a balance between what the literature and research say and what assessment tells us our students need in real-time. We need our programs to evolve continuously to better serve our students. My question to my team is, ‘What do you need from me?’”
“Being a part of the student journey is a privilege. When we can engage with students and see that they’re here, thriving, and having that iconic Buckeye experience, that’s what it’s all about.”
Kia Fletcher has been a dedicated member of the Ohio State community for more than 16 years. She previously served as an academic advisor, associate director of undergraduate student services, director of undergraduate student recruitment, and director of undergraduate student recruitment, retention and student engagement. In 2022, she earned her Doctor of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Ohio State.