Ohio State students will now have a new office dedicated to academic success during their tenures at the university after 21 units were merged to form the Office of Student Academic Success, according to a Wednesday press release.

The office will be led by Beth Hume, vice provost of student academic success and dean of undergraduate education. She has overseen the merger since it was announced by the Office of Academic Affairs in June.

“Under Beth Hume’s direction, this new unit will further our progress in improving affordability, raising retention and graduation rates, and enhancing the academic success of all students,” Bruce McPheron, executive vice president and provost, said.

The release said the unit will “provide students with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive and succeed academically” between entering the university and graduating.

OSAS is designed to increase representation and success of underserved populations, improve retention and graduation rates of all students, increase affordability and reduce debt after graduation, and produce resources and tools to help the academic success of students, the release said.

Hume said in the press release OSAS took months to create and collaboration between various colleges, the offices of Student Life and Diversity and Inclusion, as well as other university stakeholders.

“We worked with an organizational design expert and focused on streamlining the reporting structure, enhancing alignment with the university’s strategic goals and leveraging synergies to better serve students, faculty and staff,” Hume said.

The new office will contain 10 units: strategic enrollment planning, transition and academic growth, academic enrichment, research and program assessment, undergraduate education, military and veterans services, student athletic support services office, university registrar, OSAS administrative services and OSAS marketing and strategic communications.