Iowa State University students now have a new facility dedicated to improving academic achievement and increasing student retention and graduation rates. Private contributions were secured to build the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center on the ISU campus.

The new $10 million center – located on Beach Road near a number of residence halls – provides services directed to any Iowa State student in need of academic counseling, tutoring, and testing. The facility also includes a resource library, computer labs, individual and group study rooms, and meeting and classroom spaces.

The new Rod and Connie French Athletic Academic Center, located on the second floor of the facility, assists student-athletes in need of customized academic and personal development programs, study groups, tutoring and other services to help student-athletes complete their degrees. Rod and Connie French committed $1.5 million to help make the project happen.

The center is also home to the Christina Hixson Opportunity Awards program, and the new Rod and Connie French Athletic Academic Center. The center was completed in the spring of 2007.

Lied Foundation Trust of Las Vegas, Nevada, committed $5 million to the project. Christina M. Hixson is the trustee of the foundation trust, and has given generously to support ISU students in the past.

The Iowa State University Athletic Academic Center will serve student-athletes in need of customized academic and personal development programs, study groups, tutoring and other services to help student-athletes complete their degrees.