The wellbeing and academic success of Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥ students are the institution's highest priorities. With that uppermost in mind, Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥ is launching a new Division of Student Belonging and Success that will realign several existing programs and initiatives to create greater synergy among these efforts and contribute substantially to the ability of Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥ students to thrive, no matter who they are, where they are from or where they are headed. 

"Our new division is designed mainly around the growing body of research linking a college student’s sense of identity and belonging to their academic success and timely graduation," said Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥ President Dr. Laura J. Bloomberg. "Specifically, there is mounting evidence, particularly post-pandemic, that a student’s sense of attachment to sub-groups of fellow students within a larger university is an essential prerequisite to academic success, effective professional skill attainment and development of personal and interpersonal agency as young adults." 

This is particularly true — and perhaps particularly challenging — on a campus like Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥'s where many students live on campus, and a larger group of students commutes to campus and often struggles to build connections with collegiate peers outside of their classes. Realigning critical programs under this new division will enable Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥ to focus more effectively and efficiently on cohort-based support for all students.

The Division of Student Belonging and Success will include the following existing programs:

• Campus Engagement
• CARE Management
• Career Development and Exploration
• Community Standards and Advocacy
• Counseling Center
• Dean of Students Office
• Disability and Testing Services
• Graduation Success Coaching
• Health and Wellness Services 
• Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement
• LGBTQ+ Student Services
• Lift Up Vikes! Resource Center and Food Pantry
• LINK Program
• Living Learning Communities
• The Mareyjoyce Green Women's Center
• The Pratt Center
• Summer @ Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥
• Sullivan-Deckard Scholarship Program
• TRIO/SSS
• Veteran and Military Success Center

The transition of some of these programs will take place over the next several weeks, and Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥ expects the division to be fully operational by the end of October.

As of September 1, Dr. Tachelle Banks is serving as Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥'s inaugural Vice President of Student Belonging and Success. Professor Banks is a dedicated long-time Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥ academic and administrative leader who has recently served as a Presidential Faculty Fellow on the President’s Senior Leadership Team. Tachelle is a professor of Special Education and over many years has served Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥ as Associate Chief Diversity Office, Chair of the Department of Teacher Education and Associate Dean of Faculty in the former College of Education and Human Services. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies from Ohio University, her Master of Education from Kent State University and her Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education from Kent State University. Most importantly, Tachelle has demonstrated remarkable dedication to the wellbeing of our students and is uniquely well positioned to lead this new division. 

Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥ will share additional details on the creation of this new division in the coming weeks. For now, please join us in celebrating Tachelle and our staff members who are coming together under the new banner of Student Belonging and Success!

Together, we will ensure that all Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥ students have the opportunity to be healthy, connected and engaged in our campus community.

Together, we are Ï㽶¸£ÀûÖ±²¥.