In 1989, The Office of New Student Programs was   given the responsibility to develop a support program for   all regularly admitted Black freshmen. The EXCEL   Program was formed and with the aid of a student   needs assessment, EXCEL developed into a mentoring   program which paired faculty and professional staff   mentors with an upper-class student who used a team   approach to mentor 1-2 first year students. The EXCEL   Program was later expanded to include all Black   freshmen.  EXCEL was successful in many instances,   but lacked institutional recognition and funding.