Effective today, the Student Services Department will now be named the Department of Student Affairs and will be embracing a new organizational structure.
Why the changes?
“Student Affairs” reflects a more holistic approach which takes into account student service, but, has an intentional focus on student development and outcomes based approach to learning, and is more in line with University language.
Our model is also evolving to a more contemporary model, we call, The Academic & Student Affairs Collaboration Model: A tightly coupled structure and operational philosophy between Faculties and Student Affairs that emphasizes seamless collaboration.
We are striving for continual improvement and most importantly, to be the best we can be for our students and their success. These, the first steps in our planned evolution, are a result of an 18 month process of research, stakeholder consultation, unit operational self-studies and a formal external review.
The Three Pillars of Student Affairs
In order to create clarity in purpose and succinctly describe the desired impact of our work, we have established the THREE PILLARS of Student Affairs. Student Development, Student Learning and Student Careers.
These three themes articulate a contemporary approach to Student Affairs, are consistent with Sheridan’s distinctive institutional strategic plan and are embedded in Sheridan’s Definition of Student Success, which was generated by our community and reflects our values.
Our New Structure:
We have redesigned our organization structure, by clusters, using the three pillars as a guiding framework, as outlined below:
The Student Development Cluster, headed up by Joe Henry, Associate Dean, Student Development, includes:
- Student Advisement
- First Year Student Transition Programs
- Student Wellness: Counselling & Health Services
- Accessible Learning
Joe is also the senior Student Affairs administrator and key contact for the Davis Campus.
The Career Education & Co-curricular Learning Cluster, headed up by Matt Rempel, Associate Dean, Career Education & Co-Curricular Learning, includes:
- Career Education
- Cooperative Education
- Community Employment Services
- The “Beyond the Classroom Student Experience” : this important priority, is currently in development and includes existing programs: the Co-Curricular Record, Student Leadership & Engagement, Peer Mentoring
Matt is also the senior Student Affairs administrator and key contact for the HMC Campus.
The Third Cluster, reporting to Maria Lucido Bezely, Dean of Students, includes:
- Student Rights & Responsibilities Office (Student Conduct)
- Athletics & Recreation
- Residence Life
- Other current priorities for the Office of the Dean of Students include:
- Building and formalizing Partnerships & Faculty Support
- Creating an Evidence & Assessment Framework for Student Affairs
- Advising and Liaising with Sheridan Student Union?
Maria is the Senior Student Affairs administrator and the key contact for the Trafalgar Campus
Our External Review Panel provided 35 recommendations which were synthesized into 8 priorities, one of which is around Redefining and Redesigning Student Services, which we have begun to action, as of today. The report is a public document entitled: Assessment of Student Services Strategic Readiness, Organizational Structure, Support Services and Programs, October 2014.
What’s Ahead?
Our next priority will be to establish, formalize and operationalize the Academic & Student Affairs Collaboration Model of Student Affairs.
You will be hearing from us in the coming weeks and months with updates. We look forward to strengthening our partnerships and working together to enrich student learning experiences and student success.
Maria Lucido Bezely