THE GUIDE For Staff
WELCOME to the Division of Student Affairs
We are so happy you’ve decided to make SMU your professional home. It’s my pleasure to share with you The Guide for Student Affairs Staff, a resource designed to support you in your first week as a member of the division. Later, you’ll be invited to an in-person new employee orientation as a complement to this Guide. You’ve joined an extraordinary team of professionals committed to mission-driven work in support of our students. We value inclusive excellence and hope you will find your work personally fulfilling and encouraging of your professional growth. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask. In addition to your supervisor, we have several resources in place to help onboard you to the division and university. Congratulations on joining the SMU family. We’re so glad you’re here. Welcome to the Hilltop! Dr. K.C. Mmeje Vice President for Student Affairs
WE ARE MISSION DRIVEN The Division of Student Affairs creates and supports a robust student experience and forges strategic partnerships to best serve the entire SMU community. As educators and scholar-practitioners, we create purposeful learning and leadership opportunities for students to clarify and develop their knowledge, values, skills, and identities – challenging each to become a world changer.
Our Strategic Goals We have defined clear strategic goals aimed at enhancing the student experience and fostering the professional growth of individuals within our division. Each goal is supported by specific measures, processes, and actions. These objectives are specific and focused actions that directly contribute to the overall progress and achievement of our goals. Learn more about the Student Affairs strategic plan, Cultivating Courageous Change, on our website. The goals are as follows: Develop A Comprehensive Student Experience Understand Diverse Perspectives Develop Strategic Partnerships Promote Comprehensive Well-Being Data-Informed Decision-Making Advance Professional Excellence
Meet VPLT Our Vice President Leadership Team (VPLT) leads the division of Student Affairs and meets on a bi-weekly basis to discuss important matters that affect the division.
Dr. K.C. Mmeje
Nan Gunter
Dr. Dawn F. Norris
Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA)
Executive Assistant to the VPSA
Chief of Staff
Dr. Crystal Clayton
Rev. Lisa Garvin
Dr. Jennifer “JJ” Jones
Executive Director of the Hegi Family Career Development Center
Chaplain and Minister to the University
Executive Director for Student Development
Julius Mwangi
Dr. Mindy Sutton
Dr. Aramis Watson
Senior Finance and Business Manager for Student Affairs
Associate Vice President & Dean of Students
Dean of Residence Life and Student Housing
Meet the Student Affairs Administration Team
An extension of the Vice President for Student Affairs, SA Admin is here to support division staff ranging from technology, assessment, marketing, and staff development.
Sarah Allsup Assistant Director for Integrated Marketing Marketing Design Requests Social Media
Reyna Munoz Project Specialist Staff Resources Contract
Dr. Kim Nelson Pryor Director for Assessment & Data Analytics Assessment Annual Reporting CAS Program Review
Bonnie Pickett Program Specialist Technology Website
FAQs Here are some frequently asked questions about resources and services in our Divison HOW DO I SUBMIT A CONTRACT REQUEST? Submit the Contract Information Form at least 14 days in advance, though 30 days is ideal. Additional time may be required for more deailed contracts or when significant funding is involved. Find more information on contracts here or by contacting saadmin@smu.edu.
HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE ACROSS THE DIVISION? The Snapshot is a weekly email newsletter distributed to Student Affairs staff and partners. Read more about the Snapshot or submit your own announcement! For informal communication, you will be added to Slack where you may instantly message people throughout the division and join various groups!
WHAT IS SMU360? SMU360 is the official campus engagement platform for the SMU community. Here you may view and register for events happening around campus, create forms and surveys, organize elections, and more! Contact Bonnie Pickett (bpickett@smu.edu) to ensure that you are added!
WHERE CAN I FIND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES? Additional resources may be found in the Support Center . You are also welcome to contact any member of the SA Admin team and they will guide you in the right direction. We understand that starting a new job is overwhelming, therefore, please know that we are here to help!
FIND MORE STAFF SUPPORT HERE
The SMU Brand Center is the starting point for understanding and applying the SMU brand to your work. This information and these resources give you a quick start for capturing our voice and tone in all types of writing and deploying our visual style in design, photography and video. Access the SMU Brand Center. Student Affairs has divsion specific logos and templates that you can access on our webpage. For brand, logo, and other marketing questions, please reach out to sa-marketing@smu.edu. Quick Facts Our primary colors are red and blue. Our fonts are Georgia and Arial. Our icons include Peruna and Dallas Hall. When using our logo, the red and blue version is preferred. Our content themes are based on our institutional strengths: SMU, Dallas, and Beyond Welcoming Community Enterprising Spirit Research with Impact
Follow us!
@smu_studentaffairs
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There are some perks to working at SMU, here are some! RECEIVE DISCOUNTS
Receive discounts at local restaurants simply by showing your SMU Staff ID. Here is a list of local vendors that participate in these special offers. ATTEND SMU GAMES
EARN PRIZES Earn prizes for being active through SMU's Wellpower! This program offers challenges and resources to lead you to a healthier lifestyle through physical activity and improved nutrition. Prizes include electronics, free parking, and even a day off!
You’re eligible for up to 4 complimentary tickets for each home football game. On the Monday of game week keep an eye out on your email for a promo code to request your tickets. Additionally, admissions are free for other exciting sports including cross country, golf, soccer tennis, and more.
APPLE DISCOUNTS
VISIT THE GEORGE W. BUSH LIBRARY
FREE LINKEDIN LEARNING
Receive complimentary access to the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The center includes a library, museum, café, and is located on campus. To request tickets, contact the box office or visit the website here.
READ THE NYT Enjoy unlimited access to The New York Times simply by creating an account with your SMU email. Once you create an account you will be able to access New York Times articles from any device. Join here!
Want a discount on Mac computers, Apple software, and certain technology accessories? Staff can also purchase discount hardware and software and even receive a significant discount on personal lines through Sprint and AT&T. Shop here! Continue your education with access to LinkedlN Learning which offers over 5,000 courses you can watch on your own schedule as an active SMU staff member. You also have the option to download courses to your phone to watch offline.
FREE OFFICE FURNITURE Thrift for free office furniture and office supplies through a campus Listserve. By signing up, you can post and claim furniture and office supplies for campus use for no charge on a first come, first serve basis. Read more here!