DISCOVER. PRACTICE. CREATE.
In Community.
UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
MISSION
The Division of Student Development cultivates student learning in the Catholic and Marianist tradition. We challenge students to construct inclusive communities of purpose, demonstrate practical wisdom and choose value-congruent behaviors. We support students as they create safe and healthy environments where differences are respected and celebrated. We empower students to discover their vocation as they develop the skills needed to lead for the common good.
CORE VALUES
1. Learning as an innovative process guided by the Catholic and Marianist tradition
2. Respecting the dignity of self and others
3. Building community by committing to the common good
4. Developing habits of self-care in pursuit of wellbeing
5. Reflecting on and exploring faith, purpose and calling
6. Advancing inclusive excellence
7. Using professional ethics and standards to inform our practice
DEAR FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES,
One of the University of Dayton’s most remarkable strengths is its community. By welcoming students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds and integrating their perspectives into a shared vision, we create a place of learning, growth and mutual support.
Throughout the year, whether gathering to witness a rare and historic eclipse or creating spaces for inspiring conversations, we have celebrated the power of uniting our voices toward a greater good. As you’ll see, this Impact Report reflects a strong sense of community and a holistic approach to preparing students for success.
Yet, building and sustaining community is a continuous journey. In the coming years, we will remain committed to creating spaces where everyone’s perspectives are heard and valued. Our focus will be to:
• Inspire leaders for the common good
• Advance holistic wellbeing
• Foster inclusive excellence
• Enhance campus safety
• Cultivate a flourishing workplace
This year’s report offers only a glimpse of your many contributions to our community. Thank you for sharing your talent, dedication and energy with us. It is a true blessing to work alongside such devoted individuals.
Together, we will build on the strong foundation we’ve created, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive, find belonging and pursue a passionate purpose. Your dedication and commitment make all the difference, and I look forward to seeing what you will achieve in the years ahead.
Thank you again for your unwavering support and contributions to the University of Dayton. It’s truly an honor to be part of such an extraordinary community.
Sincerely,
William M. Fischer, J.D. Vice President for Student Development
Transforming Communities for the Common Good
The Division of Student Development works with University of Dayton faculty, staff, alumni and parents to enable and encourage co-curricular learning. It also develops diverse communities and self-aware student leaders.
This year’s return to campus was marked by enthusiasm, as students started building community and connections as soon as they arrived at the University of Dayton. The division created numerous opportunities for students to forge interpersonal connections, engage in experiential learning and develop critical skills for success.
• At orientation, students familiarized themselves with the campus and learned about available resources, Marianist traditions and how to succeed. The Student Transitions and Family Programs teams guided 1,819 students through 12 such orientation sessions. These in-person sessions helped students feel connected to peers and faculty, knowledgeable about campus resources and more confident about joining the community as Dayton Flyers.
• Student Activities at the Center for Student Involvement provides advising support to all student organizations, with a reach extending to more than 5,000 students. In the 2023–24 academic year, 14 NEW STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS were established. They each went through the new organization process to help them build a stronger foundation and enhance retention.
139,315 PATH CREDITS earned overall with an average earning of 28 CREDITS PER STUDENT
111 “AVIATE” CAMPUS PARTNER COLLABORATIONS representing 94 UNIQUE university departments and student organizations
642 TOTAL PATH-ELIGIBLE events offered 342 UNIQUE PATH-eligible events
4,853 STUDENTS ENGAGED with the “AVIATE” program during the 2023–2024 academic year
$3,000 RAISED during a Philanthropy Brunch and 20 SERVICE HOURS were completed at the Artemis Center by Panhellenic
• Greek Week is an annual event that unites the fraternity and sorority community to prioritize community service for the common good. This year, they selected a local non-profit as the beneficiary and committed over 75 hours of community service in just one day. Together, THEY RAISED $33,686 FOR THE YWCA OF DAYTON — a domestic violence shelter and rape crisis center — demonstrating their commitment to community service for the common good.
• As part of the Community Living track within “AVIATE,” Housing and Residence Life introduced a new residential engagement strategy to strengthen relationships and encourage community involvement. Throughout the academic year, each resident assistant and neighborhood fellow organized one program per month, contributing to a stronger sense of community within the residences. As a result, 89% OF RESIDENTS reported having a good or excellent relationship with their resident assistant or neighborhood fellow in the end-of-year insight survey.
EMPOWERING CHANGE: PANHELLENIC SERVICE COMMITMENT
During the fall of 2023, the Panhellenic Council collaborated with the Artemis Center—a Dayton-based domestic violence resource agency—to host a philanthropy brunch. Each chapter showcased their charitable activities by selling tickets and hosting a silent auction. The event was so successful that it inspired the council to further its commitment in the spring of 2024, organizing biweekly service hours open to all Panhellenic community members. Within a few weeks, the Panhellenic community contributed 20 hours of service to the Artemis Center and plans to continue this partnership next year.
“This past semester, the members of Panhellenic volunteered their time and commitment to the Artemis Center in downtown Dayton, Ohio. We have proven how important helping others is for our UD community and how these experiences change the future. We bring these resources, skills and overall knowledge to the University in ways that can improve the health and wellbeing of students too!”
— UD junior student, Panhellenic Council
“I
learned many helpful tips for staying on track with my education.
I
was informed about many student resources and good learning habits.”
— UD first-year student, Welcome Weekend
HELPING
NEW STUDENTS SUCCEED
Welcome Weekend complements the summer orientation program for first-year students. In 2023, Welcome Team Leaders led two groups and conducted two Team Times per group, focusing on college transition, goal setting, stress management, academic success tips and available resources at UD.
Approximately 87% OF INCOMING STUDENTS attended a Welcome Weekend event, and their feedback reflected high satisfaction with their Welcome Team Leaders. Students’ feedback also emphasized the importance of time management, building connections with peers and accessing University resources.
14 ORIENTATION LEADERS
conducted Flyer-to-Flyer sessions with incoming students and 89% OF NEW STUDENTS rated the sessions as excellent
97% OF INCOMING STUDENTS reported feeling confident about their decision to attend UD
94% OF INCOMING STUDENTS felt connected to their peers, faculty and staff after attending the in-person orientation
OUTREACH BOOSTS ENGAGEMENT AND DIVERSITY
The strategic outreach efforts of Community Standards and Civility have significantly increased engagement among students, faculty and staff who serve as University Hearing Board members. Ongoing training initiatives and intentional diversification of the University Hearing Board have driven this growth. Hearing Board members describe the engagement experience as educational and impactful, demonstrating the collective nature that living in community calls us to do.
STRENGTHENING CAMPUS CONNECTIONS THROUGH CELESTIAL EVENTS
The University’s Eclipse Committee—comprising members from the Dean of Students Office, Student Development and various campus departments and faculty—organized a series of engaging events leading up to the total solar eclipse on April 8. These activities included educational sessions, campus-wide distribution of eclipse glasses and a memorable community viewing event on Central Mall, complete with telescopes, music and a themed grill-out. Classes were suspended during the eclipse to allow students to gather at Central Mall and witness the total solar eclipse together. Many students described it as a “thrilling shared moment” with peers. The educational experiences and fun activities engaged the student body while strengthening the connections with students, faculty and staff that contribute to a vibrant and thriving campus community.
“Everyone was in high spirits as they played games, chatted with friends and enjoyed the day before and after the solar eclipse. It really felt like the community that the University of Dayton strives to be.”
— UD first-year student, participant at the solar eclipse celebration on campus
6,000+ SPECIAL GLASSES distributed to students to safely view the total eclipse
“ULeaD is a great experience! It helped me to become more involved. For example, I got to present at Stander and meet Dr. Spina. Plus, I’ve learned skills in ULeaD that I’ve been able to use in other organizations I’m part of.”
— UD first-year student, 2023–24 ULeaD cohort
ULEAD PROGRAM PREPARES STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS
The ULeaD Emerging Leaders program welcomed 29 first-year students. The program is designed to help students discover and embrace their authentic selves by exploring their unique talents, perspectives and values while delving into their leadership potential. Throughout their journey, students developed essential skills such as leading change, resolving conflicts, motivating peers and practicing self-care and resilience. The program also broadened their understanding of power and privilege in both local and global contexts. Using the “Framework for Student Leadership Development,” students enhanced their self-awareness, social responsibility and leadership competencies while identifying resources for ongoing growth and development at UD. The students indicated strong satisfaction with this program, rating it 4.1 on a 5-point scale.
RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADERSHIP
On April 21, 2024, Student Leadership Programs hosted its 14th Annual Student Leadership Awards Ceremony in collaboration with Fraternity and Sorority Life, Campus Ministry, Student Employment and the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community. The event HONORED 115 NOMINEES — including students, student organizations and advisers — for their dedication to leadership and the common good. The awards recognized achievements in alignment with the Framework for Student Leadership Development. Award recipients included 18 undergraduate students, three campus ministry leaders, 10 fraternity and sorority leaders, three Fitz Center honorees, 10 student organizations and five outstanding student organization advisers.
26 ULEAD STUDENTS PRESENTED at the 2024 Stander Symposium on their leadership experiences and community impact, marking them as notable first-year presenters
• Throughout the 2023–24 academic year, the Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement Center provided more than 155 active and passive opportunities for the University community to reflect, educate, and celebrate the multitude of identities and cultures represented on campus. Students, faculty and staff had approximately 5,692 MOMENTS OF ENGAGEMENT WITH DEI PROGRAMMING , from online modules to reflective workshops, training and even cultural dance lessons.
• Funds raised from One Day, One Dayton 2023 — UD’s annual fundraising campaign — provided scholarships to economically disadvantaged students to attend Camp Blue. Camp Blue is a pre-orientation program that offers an immersive experience to ease incoming students’ transition to University life.
A DAZZLING CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
“When I reflect on my time at UD, Lavender Ball 2023 stands out as one of my favorite memories. I think this night proved that we can be out, proud, and celebrate our LGBTQ+/ally identities at UD.
INCLUSIVE AND IMPACTFUL RETREATS TO FOSTER REFLECTION AND CONNECTION
During the 2023–24 academic year, the MultiEthnic Education and Engagement Center (MEC) hosted several retreats, including the October MEC Retreat, the November Multi-Faith Retreat and the inaugural AsianAmerican Retreat in April. A TOTAL OF 124
We are an incredibly strong and resilient community.” — UD senior student
Pride Week 2024 was an exciting and inclusive week, featuring various activities and discussions. The celebration week included student-led programming by the Q*mmunity Leaders, informative panels exploring coming out to family and finding medical care as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, engaging discussions like “Our Voices Matter,” as well as fun activities like karaoke and game nights, queer community card-making, a documentary screening and the elegant Lavender Ball. The Lavender Ball celebrates graduating LGBTQ+ and allied seniors. Annual award winners are announced, and students have the opportunity to build community and celebrate the accomplishments of seven LGBTQ+ student groups.
STUDENTS PARTICIPATED in these events, which aimed to promote self-reflection, relationship-building and community connection. The Asian American Retreat at YMCA Camp Kern marked a significant milestone as the first retreat dedicated specifically to this ethnic group and was planned in collaboration with the Asian American Association. All 35 attendees reported making a new connection from this retreat experience, as well as feeling more connected with the MEC
100% OF MEC RETREAT PARTICIPANTS
made new connections, and 93% REPORTED feeling more connected to the MEC community
Community. Additionally, MEC hosted the Black Student Retreat and El Retiro Student Retreat in collaboration with the Black Action Through Unity and El Orgullo Latino student organizations, respectively, further strengthening ties across diverse student groups. The MEC Retreat specifically focused on first-year students in the PEERS (Program to Engage and Exchange Resources for Students) Experience, providing them with a space to connect during their first semester. Feedback from the retreat prompted the establishment of MEC Family Meetings to recognize MEC staff.
on understanding the impact of stigma on seeking support, using recovery-inclusive language and identifying campus resources.
ENGAGING IN INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE DISCUSSIONS
“I appreciated practicing how to phrase wording from negative to positive and inclusive language.”
— UD student, “THRIVE” program participant
CREATING A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS IN RECOVERY
Students who identify as being in recovery from alcohol and other drugs have historically faced stigma that has often resulted in a decrease in support seeking. The Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Resources and Education actively works to create a supportive and inclusive campus community for those in recovery. As part of this initiative, the “THRIVE” (Transforming How Recovery is Viewed Everywhere) program aims to educate students about the experiences of their peers in recovery on a college campus. Additionally, the program offers information
717 STUDENTS COMPLETED THE MODULE , including 690 first-year students.
LEADING THE WAY IN DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION EXCELLENCE
In the 2023–24 academic year, the Housing and Residence Life staff facilitated weekly discussions on inclusive excellence topics during their staff meetings and included information in their newsletter. These discussions, called “LITE” (Leadership, In-Service, Training and Education), encouraged staff to reflect on the content and consider its impact on student growth and development. Over 80% of the weekly meetings included “LITE” content for professional staff and over 90% of the weekly Housing and Residence Life Frequent Flyer newsletters featured “LITE” content. Engagement with the content increased throughout the year, and there are plans to continue the dialogue in the next academic year with new “LITE” content focused on inclusive excellence.
INSPIRING NEW STUDENTS THROUGH INCLUSIVE LEARNING
In the fall of 2023, “Brave and Bold Dialogues: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — College Edition” was launched as a pre-matriculation module for incoming students, replacing the UDiversity module. Offered alongside three other community education modules, the course ran from July 21 to Aug. 19, 2023. It guided students through self-reflection and awareness exercises designed to expand their cultural competency and lay the foundation for new and different perspectives. A total of
In the 2023–24 academic year, Student Development achieved 100% compliance in tracking DEI initiatives for the second consecutive year. All departments met their professional development goals, with 97% of full-time staff participating in two or more DEI experiences, exceeding the divisional goal of 80%. Student Development’s Diversity Action Team (DAT) organized four impactful sessions attended by 72 participants, demonstrating the division’s commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. In 2024, DAT members considered the implementation of an advanced DEI training, known as “DAT 2.0,” for staff members interested in a more in-depth exploration of DEI topics. This additional program would supplement the basic training provided by DAT and would involve a smaller group of staff members.
120 PEOPLE attended the Lavender Ball
23 “THRIVE” SESSIONS were facilitated during the 2023–24 academic year, with
681 PARTICIPANTS
“[It was helpful] having the space to talk about experiences without having to justify them.”
— UD staff member, DAT, program participant
491 STUDENTS participated in MEC professional development and academic opportunities
3,323 PARTICIPATED in cultural heritage celebrations and educational sessions
Aligning Processes, Resources and Infrastructure
We continually review our processes, resource allocations and infrastructure so they stay aligned with our community’s needs. We want to build student resilience, retention and persistence, and create effective experiences for UD students, faculty and staff.
During the 2023–24 academic year, we improved our infrastructure and processes to benefit students, faculty and staff.
• The Student Health Center’s efforts to consistently communicate the importance of the Health Requirement Form across various channels have decreased non-compliance holds for incoming students by 23% (from 1,216 to 934) over the past year. Additionally, efforts are underway to improve communication and seek support from the Graduate Education Department to reduce non-compliance holds of 684 among graduate students.
• The Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals recognized the division’s 2023 Impact Report with the prestigious Gold Award. This marks the 10th year the organization has honored the division’s reports.
REVAMPED INTERVIEW STRUCTURE LEADS TO BETTER CANDIDATE INSIGHT
• In the 2023–24 academic year, 34% of PATH earnings came from the Community Living track. When factoring in the multiplier, this represents a more than 50% increase in student engagement in residential learning compared to 2022–23.
Housing and Residence Life revamped their interview structure for resident assistants and neighborhood fellows to simulate a typical Community Building Meeting facilitation, a key responsibility of the positions. Candidates took the lead in a “Teach Us In 10” presentation, which interviewers found to be more engaging and revealing of candidates’ personalities, skills and qualities. The new format also gave candidates a clearer understanding of their potential tasks. Overall, the interview structure included time for connecting, teaching, reflecting and assessing.
“I facilitated a guided meditation [and] practiced cultivating a skill I personally use and will use in the future as a professor/therapist.”
— UD student candidate, Housing and Residence Life resident assistant and fellow interview
ENHANCED MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE SECURE OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE OF CAMPUS SYSTEMS
The division stayed focused on making sure that all on-premise applications used by students and staff were always available and working well. To keep everything running smoothly, a onehour maintenance break was scheduled each month. This helped ensure that the applications were up and running smoothly the rest of the time. During the 2023–24 academic year, the
division improved its monitoring system to better track the health and performance of these applications, showing a strong commitment to keeping them available and functioning at their best. This dedication to system integrity and performance optimization resulted in no unplanned system outages throughout the fiscal year.
SECURITY POLICY OVERHAUL BOOSTS SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY ACROSS WORKSTATIONS
The Information Technology (IT) unit successfully implemented a comprehensive Group Policy overhaul on 350 workstations using the UD Center for Internet Security (CIS) framework. This University-wide project aimed to improve security, standardize configurations and ensure compliance with best practices. The division’s IT team carefully planned and executed the deployment to minimize disruption while balancing security with usability. This effort strengthened cybersecurity and streamlined system management and support processes, demonstrating the division’s commitment to protecting institutional data and setting a new standard for security practices.
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING OPTION UNVEILED FOR FAMILY, BOOSTING ENGAGEMENT AND REVENUE
During the 2023–24 academic year, the Conference Services team led a housing operations initiative to cultivate a new revenue stream outside the typical Conference Services operation window. Lawnview Apartments, one of the residential communities not used during the 2023–24 academic year, and East Stewart Gardens were contracted out during Family Weekend and Graduation Weekend to encourage alumni and parents to stay on campus instead of local hotels. Parents could immerse themselves fully in the student experience and feel more connected to the campus climate than in previous years. More parents wanted to stay on campus in the short term if they could do so in the future.
STREAMLINED CARE REFERRAL PROCESS BOOSTS SUBMISSIONS AND STUDENT SATISFACTION
The Student Care and Advocacy team revised the Campus Awareness Response and Evaluation (CARE) referral process, leading to an increase in CARE referral submissions. The revisions made it easier to refer students needing support, leading to this continued submission growth. An end-of-year survey conducted among students contacted by the Student Care and Advocacy team during the 2023–24 academic year shows that 69% would recommend Student Care and Advocacy support to a friend.
31 FAMILIES STAYED with Housing and Residence Life in Lawnview and East Stewart Gardens Apartments during Family Weekend
1,400 CARE REFERRALS were submitted from various sources, A 27% INCREASE from last year’s 1,101 referrals
2,060 UNIQUE STUDENTS opted to participate in and submit experiences for Learning in Action credit
“[The Learning in Action track] gave a more fair and equitable opportunity for students who work to earn PATH because work had to be a priority to events and work tended to overlap with AVIATE events”
–
UD
student, “AVIATE” program participant
11,816 PATH CREDITS issued for Learning in Action
“AVIATE” PROGRAM REVAMPED FOR ENHANCED LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT
Over the past decade, the “AVIATE” program by Housing and Residence Life has collaborated with various campus entities to provide PATH-eligible learning experiences. In preparation for the 2023–24 academic year, Housing and Residence Life established a restructuring team to evaluate and adapt “AVIATE” to better serve evolving student needs. Significant enhancements included updating the language for Educational Priority and Learning Goals, introducing the Learning in Action track to promote non-programmatic learning outside the classroom, implementing caps for PATH earnings, developing educational tags tailored to different student cohorts to balance supply and demand, and establishing a PATH points multiplier for events led by Housing and Residence Life. These strategic changes led to a more intentional educational impact with students who engaged with the “AVIATE” program, addressed previous feedback about the student experience and created scaffolding opportunities for campus partners.
STRATEGIC EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES IN CONDUCT PROCESS LEAD TO LOW RECIDIVISM RATES
By providing an impactful educational experience for students through the conduct process, the rate of recidivism (in conduct violations) is only 20% out of a four-year typical degree pursuit; more specifically, RECIDIVISM IS ONLY 5.7% AFTER A SECOND OFFENSE and only 1.9%
AFTER THREE OR MORE OFFENSES . Strategic educational opportunities challenge and support our students’ growth, helping to achieve these low rates. This is only possible with partnerships across campus to help provide these educational moments and support measures.
DIVISION’S SUPPORT FOR ONE DAY, ONE DAYTON CAMPAIGN RAISES $42,496
The division supported the University of Dayton’s sixth annual One Day, One Dayton campaign, which led to $42,496 IN UNRESTRICTED GIFTS to benefit current and future Flyers. In alignment with the University’s comprehensive campaign, the division contributed to the campaign microsite on April 9. This site showcased the division’s fundraising goals and priorities, along with four student stories to illustrate the significant impact of scholarships, experiential learning and various programs.
WEEKLY MEC DIGEST CONNECTS OVER 1,800 PEOPLE WITH CAMPUS RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The MEC Digest, a newsletter promoting campus and community resources, helpful reminders and employment opportunities, REACHES 1,673 STUDENTS AND 139 FACULTY AND STAFF each week. This digital resource creates space for students to engage with opportunities and resources and for faculty and staff members to connect with MEC’s work and promote the opportunities their spaces provide to multi-ethnic students.
OVER 90 TIMELY DIGESTS STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
The division’s weekly digests kept staff members and graduate assistants informed, engaged, and connected with divisional activities and events throughout the academic year. To ensure everyone received relevant and timely information, 50 editions of the staff digests, 44 editions of the graduate assistant digests and 15 news flashes were shared via email.
DIVISION OPTIMIZES WEBSITE FOR ENHANCED EFFICIENCY, ACCESSIBILITY AND BRAND ALIGNMENT
The division optimized its website to improve efficiency and user-friendliness and ensure compliance with industry standards for data security, accessibility and accreditation. The team updated the five main webpages — Student Development, Community Living, Health and Wellbeing, Involvement and Leadership, and Public Safety — to meet accessibility guidelines and reflect the brand refresh. They also streamlined 15 unit web pages and relocated their content to Porches.
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
University of Dayton
300 College Park
Dayton, Ohio 45469-0951
937-229-3682
udayton.edu/studev
COLOPHON .
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Kathy Kargl
PHOTOGRAPHY
Maggie Endres
Jayonna Johnson
Kennedy Kish
Matthew Lester
Julie Walling Noeth
Irina Riser
Chelsea Rooney
Erik Schelkun
Briana Snyder
Syliva Stahl
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Mérida Allen
Vernique Coleman-Stokes, Ed.D.
Evan Englander
Christopher Fishpaw
James Froehlich
Melissa Guffey
Holly Harmon, Ph.D.
Jessica Hoelting
Mark Hoying
Edel Jesse, Ph.D.
Kristen Altenau Keen
Chief Savalas Kidd
Melissa Longino
Matthew Nichols
Danielle Page
Cynthia Payne
Lennie Presock
Melinda Ruff, M.D.
Christine Schramm
Christina Smith
Paul Schweickart
Gwyn Fox Stump, Ed.D.
Brian Turner
Amanda Virag
Cari Wallace
Emily Wilkins, Ph.D.
