At San Diego State University, retention and graduation rates garner national attention. The author discusses SDSU's intensive efforts to improve its graduation and retention rates and to close the achievement gap. San Diego State has been lauded nationally for its success on closing the achievement gap. An article titled "Walking the Walk on Student Retention" by the Education Trust, a Washington-based nonprofit that seeks to address achievement and opportunity disparities among students. It cited several of San Diego State's successful initiatives, including mandatory orientation programs for all first-year and transfer students; special programs for low-income and first-generation students; a strong, ongoing collaboration with local middle and high schools; and an institutional focus on the quality of student learning.