A specialized grade point average computation utility tailored for Old Dominion University students serves as a critical academic resource. This digital mechanism is designed to accurately reflect the grading system and credit hour structure specific to the university. Its primary function involves processing student-entered course grades and associated credit hours to derive a precise cumulative or semester-specific academic standing. For instance, a student seeking to understand the impact of current semester performance on their overall academic record would input their earned marks for each course, allowing the system to instantly calculate the resulting grade point average.
The significance of such a tool is considerable, providing invaluable benefits for academic planning and progress monitoring. It offers students immediate clarity regarding their academic standing, enabling proactive management of their educational trajectory. The ability to project future GPAs based on hypothetical grades allows for strategic course selection and performance goal setting. Furthermore, its accessibility, often through university portals or dedicated academic support pages, ensures convenience and autonomy in tracking academic progress. This digital aid represents an evolution from manual calculations, embodying modern educational support systems designed to empower students with data-driven insights for informed decision-making.
Understanding the functionality and utility of this academic standing projection tool is foundational to comprehending various aspects of the student experience at Old Dominion University. The insights derived from such calculations are integral to academic advising sessions, eligibility assessments for scholarships or honors programs, and the broader discussion surrounding student success initiatives. This analytical capacity underpins effective academic management, paving the way for further exploration into related topics such as degree auditing, academic probation policies, and strategies for maintaining strong academic performance.
1. Academic Planning Tool
A specialized grade point average computation utility, particularly one designed for Old Dominion University, functions fundamentally as an Academic Planning Tool. Its intrinsic value lies in its capacity to provide quantitative data essential for informed academic decision-making. The interaction is one of direct causality: by inputting existing and prospective course grades alongside their respective credit hours, the tool calculates a projected grade point average. This outcome serves as a critical data point, enabling students to evaluate the impact of current performance and anticipate the effects of future academic choices. For instance, a student deliberating the addition of an intensive elective course can utilize this functionality to model its potential influence on their cumulative academic standing, thereby making a choice grounded in data rather than mere speculation. This practical application underscores its significance in fostering proactive academic management.
Beyond simple calculation, the utility extends its functionality to support a range of complex academic scenarios. It facilitates scenario planning, allowing students to explore various academic pathways. For example, a student aiming to achieve a specific GPA threshold for scholarship eligibility or graduate school applications can employ the tool to determine the minimum grades required in subsequent semesters. Conversely, individuals facing academic challenges, such as probation, can use it to identify the necessary academic recovery plan by simulating the grades needed to return to good academic standing. This analytical capability transforms the tool from a mere record-keeper into a dynamic instrument for strategic academic navigation, providing a clear roadmap for achieving desired educational outcomes within the Old Dominion University framework.
In essence, the connection between a specialized grade point average computation utility and an Academic Planning Tool is inextricable; the former is a powerful manifestation of the latter. Its critical insights empower students to mitigate academic risks, capitalize on opportunities, and maintain alignment with their long-term educational and career aspirations. While the tool provides invaluable clarity, a persistent challenge lies in ensuring accurate and timely data entry by the user, as the utility of its output is directly dependent on the quality of the input. Ultimately, its role is to enhance the student’s ability to navigate the complexities of university academics with greater confidence and strategic foresight, thereby contributing significantly to overall academic success at Old Dominion University.
2. Credit Hour Weighting
The precise calculation of a student’s academic standing, particularly through a utility designed for Old Dominion University, fundamentally relies on the principle of credit hour weighting. This mechanism ensures that a course’s contribution to the overall grade point average is proportional to its academic intensity and time commitment, as indicated by its assigned credit hours. A simple arithmetic average of grades, disregarding varying credit values, would yield a distorted and academically inaccurate representation of performance. Therefore, the incorporation of credit hour weighting within the ODU GPA calculator is not merely an optional feature but an indispensable core component, directly influencing the validity and utility of its output. For example, a student achieving an ‘A’ in a three-credit course and a ‘C’ in a four-credit course will find that the ‘C’ grade, despite being lower, exerts a more significant downward pull on the cumulative GPA due to its higher credit hour weight, a nuance accurately captured by the calculator.
Understanding the impact of credit hour weighting is paramount for effective academic planning and strategic decision-making. The ODU GPA calculator, by accurately applying these weights, enables students to perform nuanced scenario analyses. It permits the projection of how performance in high-credit coursesoften foundational or demanding subjectswill disproportionately affect the cumulative average compared to lower-credit electives. This analytical capacity guides students in prioritizing academic effort where it will have the most significant impact on their GPA objectives. For instance, a student striving to elevate their GPA to meet specific eligibility criteria for scholarships or honors programs can precisely determine the minimum required grades in upcoming higher-credit courses, rather than simply aiming for high grades across the board without strategic allocation of effort. Such insights transform academic planning from a qualitative exercise into a quantitatively informed strategy.
In conclusion, the seamless integration of credit hour weighting is a cornerstone of the ODU GPA calculator’s functionality and its overall value as an academic resource. Its absence would render the tool incapable of reflecting the true academic structure and rigor of Old Dominion University’s curriculum. A key challenge lies in ensuring that students fully comprehend this weighting mechanism, as a lack of understanding can lead to misinterpretations of their academic standing or misguided academic strategies. By accurately translating course performance and credit hours into a weighted GPA, the calculator empowers students with reliable data, fostering informed choices that are critical for navigating their academic journey and achieving their educational aspirations within the university environment.
3. Grade Entry Interface
The Grade Entry Interface serves as the fundamental conduit through which raw academic performance data is conveyed to the Old Dominion University (ODU) grade point average calculator. This critical component dictates the usability and, by extension, the efficacy of the entire computational utility. Its design directly impacts the accuracy of the resultant GPA calculation, as it is the point where individual course grades and corresponding credit hours are captured. Without a structured and intuitive entry system, the calculator would lack the necessary inputs to perform its function. For instance, a student seeking to ascertain their current semester’s academic standing must precisely input an ‘A-‘ for a three-credit Psychology course and a ‘B’ for a four-credit Biology lab. The interface provides the designated fields for these entries, ensuring that the qualitative assessment of performance is translated into quantitative data amenable to algorithmic processing. This direct cause-and-effect relationship establishes the interface as an indispensable element of the ODU GPA calculator’s operational integrity.
Further analysis reveals that the sophistication and user-friendliness of the Grade Entry Interface significantly contribute to its practical significance within the academic planning process. A well-designed interface minimizes the potential for input errors, which could otherwise lead to erroneous GPA projections and subsequent misguided academic decisions. It often incorporates features such as dropdown menus for grade selection (e.g., A, B+, C-), numerical fields for credit hours, and potentially validation checks to ensure data consistency. This streamlined data entry process is crucial for scenario planning, where students frequently adjust hypothetical grades to model various outcomes. For example, a student can quickly assess the grades required in their remaining courses to achieve a target cumulative GPA by iteratively entering different potential marks. This iterative capability, directly facilitated by an efficient interface, transforms the calculator into a dynamic tool for proactive academic management and strategic goal setting, rather than merely a retrospective reporting mechanism.
In summation, the Grade Entry Interface is not merely an incidental feature but the operational heart of the ODU GPA calculator. Its robust and accurate functioning is paramount for empowering students with reliable insights into their academic progress and for supporting informed decision-making. A persistent challenge, however, remains the inherent reliance on user accuracy; even the most sophisticated interface cannot correct for incorrect data initially entered by the student. Nevertheless, its role in bridging student performance with calculated academic standing underscores its foundational importance. Understanding this connection is vital for appreciating the broader university commitment to providing accessible, self-service academic resources that foster student autonomy and contribute to overall academic success within the Old Dominion University framework.
4. Cumulative GPA Projection
The functionality of Cumulative GPA Projection constitutes a cornerstone of the Old Dominion University (ODU) grade point average calculator, elevating its utility beyond a mere historical record-keeping tool. This feature enables students to forecast their academic standing by integrating current performance data with hypothetical future grades and associated credit hours. The connection is one of direct consequence: the calculator processes these inputs to simulate potential future GPAs, thereby providing a critical forward-looking perspective on academic progress. For instance, a student approaching their final year can input anticipated grades for their remaining courses to ascertain whether a specific cumulative GPA, perhaps for honors distinction or graduate school admission, is realistically achievable. This capacity for foresight transforms the calculator into an indispensable instrument for strategic academic planning, allowing for proactive adjustments and goal setting that are empirically grounded rather than purely aspirational. Its practical significance lies in empowering students to understand the quantitative impact of their academic effort before grades are officially earned.
Further analysis reveals that Cumulative GPA Projection serves as a vital component in various facets of academic management and student support within the university environment. Academic advisors frequently leverage this capability during counseling sessions to guide students on course selection, workload management, and the setting of achievable academic targets. Furthermore, for students striving to meet specific eligibility criteria for scholarships, internships, or participation in extracurricular programs that mandate certain GPA thresholds, the projection feature offers a clear roadmap. It allows for the identification of potential academic deficiencies in advance and the formulation of remedial strategies to avoid adverse outcomes such as academic probation. The ability to model different academic scenarios, such as the impact of repeating a course or excelling in a high-credit subject, provides students with tangible insights, fostering a data-driven approach to their educational trajectory at Old Dominion University.
In conclusion, the integration of Cumulative GPA Projection fundamentally defines the strategic value of the ODU GPA calculator. It shifts the emphasis from retrospective reporting to prospective planning, thereby enhancing student autonomy and decision-making capabilities. A persistent challenge associated with this feature lies in the inherent variability of future academic performance; projections are only as accurate as the hypothetical grades entered by the student. Nevertheless, its role in providing early warnings, setting realistic expectations, and validating academic goals is paramount. This forward-looking analytical capacity significantly contributes to student retention and success by allowing individuals to actively manage their academic journey and align their efforts with their broader educational and career aspirations within the Old Dominion University framework.
5. University Specific Metrics
The efficacy and accuracy of an Old Dominion University (ODU) grade point average calculator are fundamentally rooted in its precise adherence to university-specific metrics. These metrics encompass the unique policies, scales, and rules that govern academic performance evaluation at ODU, distinguishing its calculations from generic GPA tools. Without the integration of these specific parameters, the calculator’s output would be generalized and potentially misleading, failing to provide students with a true reflection of their academic standing within the institution’s distinct framework. This critical reliance on tailored data underscores the imperative for any effective ODU GPA calculator to be meticulously configured to the university’s exact academic regulations.
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Grading Scale Equivalence
One primary university-specific metric is the institution’s official grading scale equivalence. This defines how letter grades (e.g., A, B+, C-) are converted into numerical grade points (e.g., 4.0, 3.3, 2.0). Many universities utilize a +/- system, which provides finer granularity than a simple A=4.0, B=3.0 scale. For instance, Old Dominion University assigns specific numerical values to an ‘A-‘ or a ‘B+’. An ODU GPA calculator must incorporate these precise values to ensure that a student’s calculated GPA accurately reflects their academic achievement according to the university’s standards. A failure to use the exact ODU grading scale would lead to an inaccurate representation of a student’s performance, potentially affecting eligibility for honors, scholarships, or progression requirements.
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Course Repeat and Grade Forgiveness Policies
Another crucial university-specific metric pertains to policies regarding course repeats and grade forgiveness. Institutions often have distinct rules governing how a repeated course impacts a student’s GPA. Some universities may only count the most recent grade, while others might average all attempts or apply a cap on how many times a grade can be replaced. For example, Old Dominion University’s policy might dictate that if a student repeats a course, only the higher grade is factored into the GPA calculation, provided specific conditions are met. A specialized ODU GPA calculator must be programmed to interpret and apply these nuanced rules correctly, ensuring that when a student inputs repeated course attempts, the resulting GPA projection precisely aligns with the university’s official policy. This is critical for students seeking to improve their academic standing or address previous unsatisfactory grades.
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Academic Standing Thresholds and Credit Policies
While not directly part of the calculation, academic standing thresholds and specific credit policies are integral university-specific metrics that contextualize the ODU GPA calculator’s output. These thresholds define the minimum GPA required for good academic standing, eligibility for Dean’s List, academic probation, or satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for financial aid. Furthermore, specific credit policies, such as how transfer credits are weighted or if certain types of courses (e.g., pass/fail, non-credit) are excluded from GPA calculations, are vital. The calculator, by providing a precise GPA, allows students to compare their performance directly against ODU’s predefined thresholds. For instance, if ODU mandates a 2.0 cumulative GPA for good standing, the calculator’s accurate output immediately informs a student of their official status relative to this metric. An ODU-specific calculator will inherently understand which credits to include or exclude from GPA calculations, aligning with the university’s academic regulations.
These university-specific metrics collectively transform a generic GPA tool into an indispensable, authoritative resource for Old Dominion University students. By meticulously embedding ODU’s grading scales, repeat policies, and credit considerations, the calculator provides an unparalleled level of accuracy and relevance. The insights derived from such a precisely configured utility are essential for informed academic planning, strategic course selection, and the proactive management of one’s educational trajectory, thereby significantly contributing to overall student success and adherence to institutional academic standards at Old Dominion University. The calculator’s value, therefore, is not merely in computation but in its capacity to reflect the intricate academic realities unique to the institution.
6. Student Performance Monitoring
Student performance monitoring, in the context of Old Dominion University, is significantly enhanced by the functionality of a specialized grade point average computation utility. This tool provides a systematic and quantitative means for individuals and academic support structures to track academic progress, identify areas of concern, and validate achievements against institutional benchmarks. Its relevance lies in offering immediate, data-driven insights that are crucial for effective academic management and proactive intervention, thereby moving beyond anecdotal observation to empirically supported assessment of a student’s academic standing at ODU.
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Early Identification of Academic Risk
The Old Dominion University GPA calculator serves as a critical early warning system for identifying potential academic challenges. By allowing students to input current and projected grades, the tool can reveal a semester or cumulative grade point average that falls below institutional thresholds for good academic standing, such as the 2.0 GPA requirement. For instance, a student entering midterm grades that result in a projected GPA of 1.8 indicates an immediate risk of academic probation. This early notification empowers both students and academic advisors to initiate timely interventions, such as recommending academic support services, adjusting course loads, or exploring strategies to improve performance before official academic standing is adversely affected. The implication is a reduction in reactive responses to academic distress, fostering a more proactive and preventative approach to student success.
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Strategic Academic Goal Attainment
A key facet of student performance monitoring facilitated by the ODU GPA calculator is its capacity to support strategic academic goal setting and tracking. Students often pursue specific academic objectives, such as achieving a minimum 3.0 GPA for a particular major, a 3.4 GPA for Dean’s List eligibility, or a 3.5 GPA for graduate school applications. The calculator enables students to continuously monitor their progress towards these targets by comparing their current and projected GPA against these predefined benchmarks. For example, a student aiming for a 3.5 cumulative GPA can model the grades required in subsequent semesters, allowing for focused effort and strategic adjustments to study plans. This proactive engagement transforms abstract goals into measurable objectives, providing a clear roadmap for academic achievement and fostering a sense of ownership over one’s educational trajectory.
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Informed Academic Advising and Resource Allocation
For academic advisors and university support staff, the ODU GPA calculator is an invaluable resource for delivering informed and targeted student performance monitoring. Access to a student’s current and projected grade point average provides advisors with concrete data points to facilitate personalized guidance. Discussions can shift from general academic advice to specific strategies tailored to address individual performance trends or to leverage strengths. For instance, an advisor can utilize the calculator’s projections to discuss the impact of repeating a course, the optimal credit load for an upcoming semester, or the feasibility of changing a major based on current academic standing. This data-driven approach enhances the effectiveness of advising sessions and ensures that university resources, such as tutoring or counseling services, are allocated to students most in need, thereby optimizing support mechanisms.
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Validation of Program and Honors Eligibility
Student performance monitoring through the ODU GPA calculator plays a crucial role in validating eligibility for various academic programs, scholarships, and honors. Many institutional opportunities, such as departmental honors, specific research programs, or merit-based scholarships, carry stringent GPA requirements. Consistent utilization of the calculator allows students to continuously assess whether their academic performance meets or is on track to meet these criteria. For example, a student applying for a scholarship requiring a 3.2 cumulative GPA can verify their eligibility well in advance of the application deadline, making informed decisions about which opportunities to pursue. This continuous validation minimizes last-minute surprises regarding eligibility status, enabling students to plan their academic and extracurricular involvement strategically and ensuring compliance with all institutional requirements for recognition and progression.
The Old Dominion University GPA calculator’s profound connection to student performance monitoring extends beyond simple computational utility, acting as a foundational instrument for both individual academic self-governance and institutional support structures. By providing accurate, real-time, and projected academic standing, it empowers students with the critical data necessary for informed decision-making, proactive planning, and successful navigation of their educational journey. Furthermore, it equips the university’s advising and support systems with the empirical evidence needed to deliver effective, targeted interventions, ultimately contributing to a culture of academic excellence and student success within the Old Dominion University environment.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Old Dominion University GPA Calculator
This section addresses common inquiries and clarifies the operational principles and benefits associated with a specialized grade point average computation utility tailored for Old Dominion University students. The objective is to provide precise, professional insights into its functionality and proper utilization.
Question 1: What is the primary function of an ODU GPA calculator?
The primary function of an ODU GPA calculator is to compute a student’s grade point average (GPA) based on entered course grades and corresponding credit hours, adhering to Old Dominion University’s specific grading scale and academic policies. This utility provides an accurate reflection of academic standing, whether for a single semester or cumulatively.
Question 2: How does an ODU GPA calculator ensure accuracy specific to Old Dominion University?
Accuracy is ensured through the integration of university-specific metrics. This includes using Old Dominion University’s precise numerical equivalences for letter grades (e.g., A, A-, B+, etc.), accounting for the institution’s credit hour weighting system, and applying its distinct academic policies regarding course repeats and grade forgiveness. Generic calculators often lack this institutional specificity.
Question 3: Can the ODU GPA calculator project future academic standing?
Yes, a key feature is its capacity for cumulative GPA projection. Users can input hypothetical grades for courses yet to be completed, allowing the system to forecast the impact on their overall GPA. This functionality is invaluable for strategic academic planning and setting performance goals, enabling students to understand the quantitative requirements for achieving desired academic thresholds.
Question 4: Does the utility account for Old Dominion University’s course repeat or grade forgiveness policies?
A well-designed ODU GPA calculator is configured to incorporate the university’s specific policies regarding course repeats and grade forgiveness. This means it can accurately reflect how a repeated course, where applicable, affects the overall GPA by excluding or replacing prior grades according to Old Dominion University’s academic regulations, providing a true cumulative academic standing.
Question 5: What data input is required for an accurate GPA calculation?
Accurate calculation requires precise data input, including the letter grade received for each course (e.g., A, B+, C-), and the corresponding credit hours assigned to each course. For cumulative calculations, all previous course data from Old Dominion University coursework is necessary. The integrity of the output is directly dependent on the accuracy of the data entered by the user.
Question 6: Is an ODU GPA calculator an official record of academic standing?
While providing highly accurate projections and calculations based on university policies, an ODU GPA calculator is generally an unofficial tool for student planning and monitoring. The official academic record and GPA are maintained by Old Dominion University’s Registrar’s Office and accessed through the official student information system. The calculator serves as a supplementary resource for self-assessment.
These responses underscore the critical role of a specialized GPA computation utility in empowering Old Dominion University students with data-driven insights for effective academic management and strategic planning. Its precision and adherence to institutional metrics make it an indispensable resource.
Further exploration into optimizing academic performance and leveraging university resources will provide additional context for student success at Old Dominion University.
Strategic Utilization of the Old Dominion University GPA Calculator
Effective engagement with a specialized grade point average computation utility, particularly one designed for Old Dominion University, necessitates adherence to strategic practices. These recommendations aim to maximize the tool’s benefits for academic planning and performance monitoring, ensuring its output is both accurate and meaningfully applied.
Tip 1: Verify ODU-Specific Grading Scale Adherence: The calculator’s accuracy is fundamentally dependent on its precise integration of Old Dominion University’s official grading scale. Users must ensure that the numerical grade point values assigned to letter grades (e.g., A, A-, B+, C-) within the utility correspond exactly to those published by the university. A discrepancy, even minor, can lead to inaccurate projections, affecting critical academic decisions. For instance, if ODU assigns 3.67 to an A- but the calculator uses 3.7, cumulative calculations may deviate from official records.
Tip 2: Prioritize Meticulous Data Entry: The integrity of any GPA calculation is directly proportional to the accuracy of the input data. It is imperative that users meticulously enter all course letter grades and their corresponding credit hours. A single typographical error or misattribution of credit hours can significantly distort the calculated or projected GPA, potentially leading to misinformed academic strategies. Thorough verification of all entered data before interpreting results is an essential step.
Tip 3: Leverage for Proactive Scenario Planning: The utility is most effectively employed as a proactive instrument for scenario planning. Students should utilize its projection capabilities by inputting hypothetical grades for courses currently in progress or yet to be taken. This enables the assessment of how various performance levels could impact future cumulative GPAs, thereby facilitating strategic evaluation of academic pathways and goal setting. For example, it can determine the minimum grades required in upcoming semesters to achieve a specific target GPA for scholarship eligibility.
Tip 4: Understand the Impact of Credit Hour Weighting: A nuanced understanding of credit hour weighting is critical for interpreting the calculator’s results. The tool correctly applies greater influence to courses with higher assigned credit hour values. Performance in a four-credit course will, therefore, have a more significant impact on the overall GPA than performance in a two-credit course, even if the letter grade is identical. Recognizing this principle allows for strategic allocation of academic effort toward high-impact courses.
Tip 5: Consult ODU’s Official Course Repeat and Forgiveness Policies: When considering repeating a course, users must cross-reference the calculator’s functionality with Old Dominion University’s official course repeat and grade forgiveness policies. While a well-designed calculator should reflect these institutional rules, an independent review of university guidelines is recommended to confirm how repeated attempts and grade replacements will officially impact the academic transcript and cumulative GPA. This ensures alignment with official academic records.
Tip 6: Utilize Results to Inform Academic Advising Sessions: The quantitative data generated by the ODU GPA calculator can serve as a robust foundation for discussions with academic advisors. Presenting projected GPAs or various academic scenarios during advising appointments enables more targeted and productive conversations regarding course loads, major suitability, and strategies for achieving specific academic or career objectives. This empowers advisors to provide highly tailored and data-driven guidance.
Tip 7: Differentiate Unofficial vs. Official Academic Records: It is paramount to recognize that while the ODU GPA calculator offers precise calculations based on university metrics, its output constitutes an unofficial assessment for planning purposes. The definitive and official record of academic standing is maintained by Old Dominion University’s Registrar’s Office. Regular consultation of the official academic transcript or student information system remains crucial for verifying final and authoritative academic status.
Adhering to these practices ensures that the Old Dominion University GPA calculator functions as an indispensable and reliable resource, providing accurate insights for informed decision-making and strategic academic navigation. Its proper utilization empowers students to proactively manage their academic journey and align their efforts with institutional standards and personal objectives.
Further investigation into complementary academic support services and institutional policies will provide additional avenues for optimizing academic success at Old Dominion University.
Conclusion
The comprehensive exploration of the specialized grade point average computation utility for Old Dominion University students underscores its profound significance as an academic resource. This tool, meticulously configured to align with ODU’s specific grading scale, credit hour weighting, and unique academic policies, functions as an accurate mechanism for both calculating current academic standing and projecting future performance. Its integration of features such as a user-friendly grade entry interface, robust cumulative GPA projection capabilities, and adherence to university-specific metrics elevates it beyond a generic calculator. The consistent theme throughout its analysis is its indispensable role in facilitating effective academic planning, enabling proactive student performance monitoring, and informing critical decision-making processes for individuals navigating their educational journey at Old Dominion University.
Ultimately, the strategic utilization of this academic planning instrument is paramount for maximizing student success within the Old Dominion University framework. While serving as an unofficial yet highly reliable guide, its consistent application provides students with the data-driven insights necessary to set realistic goals, manage academic challenges, and align their efforts with institutional expectations. The utility empowers a proactive approach to academic management, fostering a deeper understanding of one’s academic trajectory and the quantifiable impact of performance. Its continued relevance resides in its capacity to translate complex academic regulations into actionable insights, thereby contributing significantly to a culture of informed self-governance and sustained academic achievement at Old Dominion University.
