The NYTimes today reports that the US is falling behind in college completion rates when compared to other countries. It’s good to note that UMass Lowell is bucking the worrisome national trend. Between 2007 and 2009,  the student success rate increased by about five to eight percent in various measures, which is significant in a short time. (The one-year retention rate of freshmen rose from 76 to 81 percent and the six-year graduation rate rose from 44 to 52 percent.) Read the NYT article by Tamar Lewin here, and consider subscribing if you appreciate the writing.