Dear UMBC Students,
As the fall semester begins, it has been wonderful to meet new students and their families and talk with our returning students. I want to take a moment to announce some important changes in the Division of Student Affairs to better support and enhance the experience of UMBC’s diverse student body.
During my first year as vice president, I had the opportunity to listen to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff in order to identify potential gaps in resources and opportunities in our division and to learn how we can improve all students’ sense of belonging. I greatly appreciate your honesty and insights. I have heard you. Student Affairs leadership and staff have heard you.
Based on your feedback, Student Affairs is taking a new approach to how we are organized, including additional leadership, staff, and programs in areas of need. We look to our new Student Affairs mission and vision—and our commitments to you—as our guide as we commit each day to unlocking potential and transforming lives.
- A new Dean of Students office helps students in need of critical resources, including emotional support, food access and other basic needs, and off-campus housing.
- I am excited to share that the work of Campus Life is expanding to include more internal alignment in our efforts to engage students and create a sense of belonging. You will see two new staff leading these efforts, Jennifer Artis and Candace Doane. This department will now include the Mosaic, the Gathering Space, the Pride Center, commuter student programs, and a new graduate student life office which will provide support for the engagement of graduate students and will be the home of the Graduate Student Association.
- We have several exciting space-related changes this fall including the addition of the veteran and military-affiliated student lounge on the second floor of the University Center and the relocation and renovation of the Pride Center, now on the first floor of the University Center. A new academic partnerships and high impact experiences area, led by our incoming assistant vice president, James Devita, builds campus partnerships and offers transformational personal and professional development experiences for students. This area includes the Career Center, the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and a new office for student affairs success initiatives, led by Director Amery Thompson.
- Our health and well-being area, led by our new assistant vice president, Rae Chresfield, includes Retriever Integrated Health and the Office of Health Promotion.
Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student, the Student Affairs team wants you to know that your success and growth is at the center of all we do. Our leadership and staff are committed to supporting your personal and professional development in addition to your academic success. As a division, we will continue to collaborate with you and campus partners to ensure that you feel welcomed and supported—and we will continue to listen.
I am proud to be part of the UMBC community. Thank you again for your feedback, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have ideas, questions, or concerns. I wish you a successful fall semester.
Sincerely,
Renique T. Kersh
Vice President for Student Affairs