On Tuesday, the NCAA national office released its Graduation Success Rate and Federal Graduation Rate data for the 2012-13 to 2015-16 freshman cohorts for all NCAA Division I institutions as part of the annual Academic Performance Program.
 
Southeast Missouri Athletics achieved an 87% Graduate Success Rate (GSR), its highest mark since the NCAA launched the Graduation Success Rate program in 1998.
 
"I'm extremely proud of student-athletes, coaches and staff for continuing to prioritize the academic success of our student-athletes," said Director of Athletics Brady Barke. "Earning the highest GSR in school history at the same time we are experiencing unprecedented athletic success further demonstrates we are graduating champions."
 
SEMO had a total of four women's sports, including basketball, gymnastics, tennis and volleyball reach a 100% GSR. Meanwhile, women's soccer (96%) and softball (95%) followed close behind.
 
On the men's side, baseball and basketball led the way with 90% and 85% marks, respectively. This was a significant improvement since no SEMO men's program had a 90% rate during the NCAA's 2011-2014 cohort.
 
The Graduation Success Rate was created in response to concerns raised about the Federal Graduation Rate calculation not accurately reflecting modern-day patterns of student enrollment and transfer. The NCAA GSR differs from the federal calculation in two important ways. First, the GSR holds colleges accountable for those student-athletes who transfer to their school. Second, the GSR does not penalize colleges whose student-athletes leave the institution in good academic standing.