As a dynamic division, the University of Miami Division of Students Affairs has taken a multi-pronged approach to continue to improve student retention and persistence. Student Affairs will provide proactive programming and engagement opportunities, support students facing academic or social challenges, and directly assist students in personal crisis. It is the out-of-the-classroom work of Student Affairs that contributes to students achieving their goals of degree completion and post-collegiate plans.
The strategic plan for the Division of Student Affairs was developed to build upon the strengths of the Division and to lead improvements for the future. The Division of Student Affairs contributes to the Roadmap to Our New Century by providing a transformational student experience on a foundation of administrative excellence. A transformational student experience includes exemplary learning opportunities and a proactive approach to student needs. With the continuing challenges of higher education, especially in the areas that support students outside of the classroom, it was time for the Division of Student Affairs to embark on its own strategic planning process.
It was an iterative process designed to clarify the Division’s vision, plan strategically for future opportunities, prioritize goals and outcomes, and find synergistic connections to improve the Division’s administrative excellence.
To address the demands of the changing landscape of higher education and in support of the Roadmap to Our New Century, Student Affairs outlined three goals to enhance its Administrative Excellence. To accomplish these goals, permanent committees composed of staff will be appointed annually by the Vice President to collaborate across Student Affairs to achieve the Division’s shared goals.
The Resource Planning & Development Committee will provide guidance and recommendations to support facilities, operations, and human capital to advance student engagement and learning.
The Assessment Committee will provide direction and guidance for Division-wide assessment by identifying what data should be collected to effectively assess the Division’s outcomes and priorities, coordinating such data collection, and recommending enhancements to the assessment process.
Through an extensive and iterative process, staff identified four Divisional Priorities that will contribute to and advance student success and learning.
Enabling students to be successful learners and engaged members of a global society by providing them with the necessary mental and physical health support as well as equipping students with the necessary dynamic resiliency, coping, and conflict management skills to address personal and interpersonal challenges in life Learning Outcomes: Initiatives:
community-building
In order to sequentially address each priority, Divisional Priority Teams composed of staff from multiple departments in the Division will be appointed by the Vice President for Student Affairs. These teams will provide recommendations for collaboration, consolidation, and opportunities for enhancement. Additionally, teams will identify assessment metrics to track the progress of divisional priorities and measure the impact of long-term goals as related to student learning, retention, and level of postgraduation preparedness. These ad-hoc interdepartmental teams will work for a defined time period. Two co-leaders for each team will facilitate and guide the work of each Divisional Priority Team.Divisional Priority Work Teams