One of the top prioritiesÌýofÌýtheÌýDivision of Student AffairsÌýisÌýtoÌýhelpÌýstudentsÌýsucceedÌýin their academic journeyÌýat ²ÊÃñ±¦µä. ThereÌýare many areas within our students’ lives that can affect their academic performance ifÌýtheirÌýneeds are not met. FromÌýhealthyÌýrelationships with peers to havingÌýnutritious and convenientÌýfoodÌýon campus to finding mental health support, we are continuouslyÌýenhancingÌýour services to meet the needs of students so they can do their best academically.Ìý
Through Redefining StudentÌýSupportÌýwe are focused on the key areas of Health and Wellness, Student Engagement and Support. TheÌýreorganization and changes that have taken place in the divisionÌýwere designed toÌýkeep the student at the center of all that we do. Maintaining a student-centeredÌýapproachÌýaligns with other university initiatives, as we collectively adapt and consider the future of learning at ²ÊÃñ±¦µä.Ìý
As I continueÌýto reflect on my past three years as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs,ÌýI am grateful for opportunities to partner and make meaningful change for our students.ÌýThere areÌýa number ofÌýStudent Affairs professionalsÌýserving on key campusÌýcommittees, including the Unified Student Experience, Foundations of Excellence, Academic Futures, Financial Futures and more.ÌýA few highlightsÌýfrom our partnershipsÌýinclude:
- Serving as a sponsor for the Unified Student Experience.ÌýThis project has been an incredible lift from our partners at the Office of Information Technology and so many others from across campus. ManyÌýmembers of ourÌýteam have served on committeesÌýas well, and it is exciting to seeÌýhow this project isÌýimproving our students’ digital experience.
- Working with the Office of Data Analytics and campus partners toÌýexplore student success outcomesÌýfrom the point of entry through graduation, so that weÌýare able toÌýtailor programs and meet individual student needs.Ìý
- Through Academic Futures and Foundations of Excellence,Ìýstaff have engaged in robust conversations and planning for the future of the academic experience for our students, with particular focus on theÌýfirst-yearÌýexperience.
- Student Affairs has a large footprint onÌýcampus, and we areÌýserving on the core teams for FinancialÌýFuturesÌýandÌýStrategic Facilities Visioning.ÌýThese conversations focus on evaluating howÌýwe meet the needs of campus while mitigating rising costs,Ìýutilizing facilities more efficientlyÌýandÌýevolvingÌýto meet the needs of our future students and families.
- Strategic Relations and Communications and OIT’s Business Analysis and Solutions Architecture team, who have provided invaluable support and ongoing collaboration with our Redefining Student Support initiative, and so many others on campus.
IÌýam excited about the positive strides we’ve been able to make to support the overall experience of our students. I truly look forward to continuing to build on the progress we have made so farÌýand strengthening our campus partnerships toÌýsupport our students’ academic successÌýand theÌýacademic missionÌýof the university.
Christina Gonzales
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs