University of Dayton Student Development Strategic Goals and Priorities
INTRODUCTION
Dear Faculty, Staff, Students and Colleagues,
The five strategic goals are as follows:
Goal 1: Inspire Leaders for the Common Good
Goal 2: Advance Holistic Wellbeing
Goal 3: Foster Inclusive Excellence
Goal 4: Enhance Campus Safety
As we embark on our journey to advance the Division of Student Development's goals and priorities, I am honored to share our collective vision, mission and core values guiding our efforts. Together, we strive to cultivate an inclusive community where every student is empowered to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
Goal 5: Cultivate a Flourishing Workplace
Best regards,
Our vision is clear: to foster an inclusive community where every student has transformative opportunities and unwavering support that promotes holistic development and a deep sense of belonging. This is not just a statement but a commitment— a commitment to uphold the dignity and respect of every individual, provide exceptional experiential learning experiences, foster innovation and learning in community, and, most importantly, care for and support each student’s wellbeing.
To achieve this, I am pleased to present the division’s strategic goals and priorities that outline our roadmap for the future and commitment to providing an exceptional student experience rooted in our Catholic and Marianist traditions. These goals have been developed through a comprehensive process of research, collaboration and input from key stakeholders within our campus community. They reflect our vision for the future and our dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where all students can discover their passionate purpose, prepare for their careers and navigate life’s challenges.
William M. Fischer, J.D. Vice President for Student Development
As we progress toward our strategic goals, I am confident that with our campus community’s continued collaboration and dedication, we will create a more inclusive, compassionate and thriving environment for all students.
Thank you for your commitment and partnership. I look forward to working with you to create a vibrant and supportive community where every University of Dayton student can thrive.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Vision
Student Development
Inclusive Excellence Statement
THE DIVISION OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT WORKS TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE, DIVERSE AND EQUITABLE WORKING, LEARNING AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT. We are called to explore the complexity of identity, dialogue across differences, reflect upon our practices and hold ourselves and others accountable for creating change in honor and respect for the inherent dignity of every person.
Mission
FOSTER AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY where every student is provided with transformative opportunities and unwavering support that promote holistic development and a deep sense of belonging.
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 inspire students to discover their vocation as they develop the skills needed to lead for the common good.
Core Values
DIGNITY AND RESPECT: We uphold the inherent dignity of every individual.
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: We provide exceptional and transformative educational experiences.
INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY : We foster an environment that sparks curiosity, critical thinking and forwardlooking ideas.
LEARNING IN COMMUNITY: We value learning within a supportive and collaborative community.
INTEGRITY AND VALUE-DRIVEN BEHAVIOR : We align our thoughts, words and actions with our values, principles, beliefs and faith traditions.
SERVICE FOR THE COMMON GOOD: We instill a sense of responsibility to contribute positively to local and global communities.
SOLIDARITY AND COMPASSION: We cultivate a community of empathy, unity and connection.
Inspire Leaders for the Common Good
Inspire students to become leaders through learning that integrates vocation and self-discovery, promotes interpersonal development and fosters a commitment to diversity and the common good.
1.1 Support student self-discovery and enhanced agency through reflective practices and vocational discernment.
1.2 Enrich student learning through robust programming and experiential opportunities, while maintaining an individualized approach to support student needs.
1.3 Guide students to develop talents aligned with societal needs, preparing them for success in both personal and professional spheres.
1.4 Develop students into leaders who productively manage conflict and advocate for the common good within the campus community and beyond.
1.5 Enhance students' interpersonal development through comprehensive programs and initiatives that foster effective communication, collaboration and emotional intelligence.
1.6 Sustain internal and external collaborative efforts to enhance programming that positively impacts student success and persistence.
Advance Holistic Wellbeing
Prioritize the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of students by offering evidence-based resources, support, treatment and education to promote healthy lifestyles, personal fulfillment and persistence.
2.1 Optimize student health outcomes across the spectrum of care through intentional, scaffolded, research-based interventions, treatments and services.
2.2 Generate innovative methods to increase access to services, promote proactive utilization of resources, and engage campus partners in collaborative student support.
2.3 Enhance students’ agency to embody wellbeing behaviors by providing tools for building health promoting habits, strategies and communities.
2.4 Foster a sense of belonging among students by promoting healthy social connections and the purposeful development of relationships with self and the environment.
2.5 Build an integrative and holistic campus culture of help-seeking, peer support, harm reduction and stigma elimination.
Foster Inclusive Excellence
3.1 Advance a welcoming and inclusive campus environment where all students feel a strong sense of belonging and have equitable opportunities for personal and academic success.
SD Diversity Action Plan Connection Climate: Students
Foster a campus climate of inclusive excellence, equipping students and staff with the knowledge and skills to actively advocate for inclusivity throughout our communities.
3.2 Communicate and embed diversity, equity and inclusion as intrinsic components of the work and culture within Student Development.
SD Diversity Action Plan Connection Communication
3.3 Cultivate intercultural competencies that promote diversity, inclusivity and an empathetic community, through coordinated student learning experiences.
SD Diversity Action Plan Connection Educational Opportunities: Students
3.4 Prioritize engagement in diverse and equitycentered professional development, equipping staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to foster an inclusive and supportive learning and working environment.
SD Diversity Action Plan Connection Educational Opportunities: Staff
Enhance Campus Safety
Promote campus safety through student support, transparent messaging and proactive risk management to foster positive change, personal responsibility and a secure campus environment.
4.1 Promote a culture of shared and personal responsibility for campus safety, enhancing student discernment of how individual decisions and actions affect the community.
4.2 Cultivate meaningful relationships to foster an inclusive environment, ensuring the physical and emotional safety of individuals across diverse identities.
4.3 Engage in safety-related communication processes that balance transparency and effectiveness, while maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the information being shared.
4.4 Enhance campus safety through relevant and timely educational resources, which motivate the campus community to actively participate in proactive risk management practices and embrace security-conscious behaviors.
4.5 Foster a culture of continuous development within the department environment that encourages officers to serve the campus community in alignment with the University’s mission to educate the whole person.
Cultivate a Flourishing Workplace
Align processes, resources and infrastructure to achieve strategic initiatives, while prioritizing staff fulfillment and retention, professional development and sustained excellence.
5.1 Create a workplace environment within Student Development that cultivates a strong sense of belonging and opportunity among staff members, in order to foster employee retention and inclusivity.
SD Diversity Action Plan Connection Climate: Staff
5.2 Develop communication solutions in order to emphasize our impact and demonstrate excellence in our work.
5.3 Invest in ongoing professional development to advance the work of the division and our profession, by intentionally supporting the growth of staff at all levels, including new and upcoming professionals.
5.4 Emphasize an intentional focus on equitable (fiscal, human and physical) resource allocation, integrated technology and data systems, and strategic opportunities to meet the standards of our profession.
5.5 Sustain a commitment to assessment that prioritizes equity, intention and improvement in the context of individual, departmental, divisional and institutional initiatives.
SD Diversity Action Plan Connection Measurement and Accountability
5.6
Cultivate relationships and create practices that drive our propensity to generate external funding.
