Annual Report
The Division of Student Affairs Annual Report serves as a snapshot of our student outcomes for the past year. Our staff work tirelessly to deliver a Bearcat-worthy student experience. We are delighted to be on this journey of discovery with our amazing students and we're excited to share the highlights with you.
Mission & Purpose: Student Affairs advocates for and meets students' diverse needs by providing innovative co-curricular experiences that enhance well-being, foster life and academic skill development, engender responsibility and grow leadership capability.
Strategic Pillars & Goals
The Division of Student Affairs achieves this mission through its four strategic pillars:
- Accessible Culture of Academic Success
- Engaging Relationships and Experiences
- Holistic Development of Students
- Intentional Student Advocacy
The strategic pillars are supported through four primary goals:
- Strategic Student Affairs Presence: Create a vibrant, student centered, on-campus and virtual divisional presence
- Enhanced Capacity to Serve: Enhance the division's capacity to meet the needs of an evolving and growing student body
- Inclusive Campus Culture: Lead the development of a culture in which all students are empowered to thrive
- Student-First Communication: Improve student-centered critical decision making and response protocols, processes and practices
The Division at a Glance
164 full-time employees
393 student employees
More than 25 presentations were conducted by Student Affairs staff at local, regional, and national conferences.
500 student organizations, a 19% increase from the previous year
71 competitive organizations and 43 fraternal organizations
Students logged 188,048 total hours of community service, a 26% increase from the previous year, which correlates to a value of $5,485,362 added to our local community
Over $535,000 was allocated to student organizations for programming, competitions, and conferences
140,435 new users on GetInvolvedUC, a 10% increase from the prior year
Resident Assistants hosted over 11,500 Bearcat Chats with residents during the academic year, a 17% increase from the previous year!
Over 1,500 floor/community programs were hosted in the residence halls, a 25% increase from the prior academic year.
Points of Pride: Staff Highlights
Awards and Honors
Jessica Ashcraft, Assistant Director, Center for Student Involvement, serves as the co-chair for NASPA Student Government Knowledge Community.
Dana Bisignani, Director, Women’s Center, was appointed chair of the National Women’s Studies Association Women’s Center Committee.
Dr. Kate Butler, Director, Fraternity & Sorority Life, serves on the AFA Professional Development Committee and was selected as a UIFI Lead Facilitator.
Bri Cross, Program Manager, Fraternity & Sorority Life, serves as a volunteer on the ACPA Commission for Student Involvement and the AFA Awards and Recognition Committee. Bri also serves as a facilitator for Sigma Kappa and Farmhouse.
Daniel Cummins, Associate Dean of Students, serves on the board of directors for PREVENTFirst.
Dr. Brandi Elliot, Executive Director, Student Affairs Identity and Inclusion, received the Marian Spencer Equity Ambassador Award.
Ty Fields, Assistant Director, McNair Scholars Program, was elected as an officer for African American Black Male Staff and Students at UC.
Deatra Greene-Ndiaye, Program Director in Academic Excellence & Support Services, serves as the President for the Ohio TRIO Association.
Dr. Juan Guardia, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, received the North American Interfraternity Conference Alumnus of Distinction 2023, National Fred Turner Award for Outstanding Service to NASPA 2023, and NASPA Pillar of the Profession 2023.
Terrence Harrison, Director of Veterans Programs & Services, serves on the advisor board for Community/Education Matters.
Dr. Mika Karikari, Associate Director, Resident Education and Development, earned her PhD. Dr. Karikari also received multiple NASPA Awards including recognition as a Stellar 50” by the African American Knowledge Community and Outstanding Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional.
Melva Karnes, Director, Commencement, serves as the NAACO Regional Director.
Denita Kelly, Area Coordinator, Resident Education & Development, earned her PhD.
Joy Kostansek, Program Coordinator, [Exact Title?], serves on the Swipe Out Hunger Advisory Board and is the Chair of the Big 12 Food Alliance Group.
Dy’Mand Montgomery, Assistant Director, Parent & Family Programs, received the UC Black Women on the Move Promotional Achievement Award and Sprit of Sisterhood Award at the annual Celebration of Black Excellence.
Charmaine Moore, Assistant Director, Women’s Center, received the Meem & Gibson Outstanding Service Award.
Andy Obregon-Mantilla, Area Coordinator, Resident Education & Development, received the Willie J. Young, Sr. Outstanding Commitment to Inclusion and Equity Award at GLACUHO.
Whitney Saunders, Assistant Director, Accessibility Resources, received the Ohio AHEAD Rising Star Award. Whitney also serves as the Disabled Faculty and Staff Celebration and Community Chair and the Cincinnati Art Museum Accessibility Community Advisor Council.
Jaquelyn Taylor, Assistant Director, African American Cultural & Resource Center, received the Anni C. Singleton Award presented by Alpha Phi Alpha.
Ashleigh Wade, Director, Student Conduct & Community Standards, is the Chairperson Elect of ACPA’s Commission for Student Conduct & Legal Issues.
Arthur Walton, Coordinator for the Cincinnati Pride Grant, was elected president of the African American Black Male Staff Employee Resource Group and serves as the membership chair for Advisors of Color.
Eric Watford, Program Coordinator, African American Cultural & Resource Center, serves as the Vice President for the MLK Coalition.
Dr. Cheri Westmoreland, Director of the McNair Scholars Program, wrote and received the 2022-2027 Federal McNair Grant.
Whitney White, Director of Parent & Family Programs and SA Marketing/Communications was elected to the board of directors for AHEPPP: Family Engagement in Higher Education.
Charity Winburn, Associate Director, McNair Scholars Program, serves on the CIMER Research Mentor Training Group and ASTE.
Laura Wooldridge, Assistant Director, Ethnic Programs & Services serves on UC’s Care Infrastructure Committee.
Presentations
Jose Francisco Avilés-Acosta, PsyD, Staff Clinician, Counseling & Psychological Services, presented “Affirming Considerations for Intercultural Non-monogamies in Therapy” Closing Plenary Keynotes for the National Contemporary Relationships Conference in Lexington, Kentucky
Jose Francisco Avilés-Acosta, PsyD, Staff Clinician, Counseling & Psychological Services, and Monica Gray MS, IMFT, Staff Clinician, Counseling & Psychological Services, presented at the Social Justice Conference in College Counseling, “A Systems Theory Approach to College Counseling: The Role of Contextualizing Student Experiences in Service Delivery”
Amy Blankenship, LPCC-S, TRCC, Staff Clinician, Counseling & Psychological Services, presented “You Belong Here: Supporting Racially and Ethnically Diverse Students in Engineering” at the National Academic Advising Association conference.
Gianluca Bruno MA, LPCC, Counseling & Psychological Services, “Taking the Leap: Using the Embedded Counseling Model to Promote Access and Inclusivity to Ensure Student Success” at the Ohio Program for Campus Safety and Mental Health Conference
Dr. Juan Guardia, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students co-presented “S.O.A.R.ing professionally: Applying strengths-based framework for staff development and empowerment,” “The future is collaboration: Small student affairs/higher ed graduate program partnerships,” and “ Feeling seen, heard, and honored: The importance of identity-conscious supervision.” at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators conference.
Melva Karnes, Program Director, Commencement, and Kristine McDonough, Program Manager, Commencement, presented “New Student Convocation – Exploration of Ideas” at the North American Association of Commencement Officers (NAACO)
Dr. Nicole Mayo, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs co-presented “Investing in the Future: Innovative Practices in Student Affairs Assessment” at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Conference.
Dalziel Reliford-Stone, MA, LPCC-S, Staff Clinician, Whitney Richardson, M.Ed, LPCC, CCTP, Staff Clinician, and Javier Robledo Rivera, PsyD, Assistant Director from Counseling & Psychological Services presented “Affirming Considerations for Intercultural Non-monogamies in Therapy” Closing Plenary Keynotes for the National Contemporary Relationships Conference.
Charity Winburn, Associate Director, McNair Scholars Program, presented at the Midatlantic Association for Science Teacher Education, “Research Topics on Intercultural Learning in the International Context”
Several Fraternity & Sorority Life staff members presented at the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV) national conference:
Dr. Kate Butler, Director, “Representation vs. Tokenization”
Dr. Kate Butler, Director, Ilaisah Martinez, Assistant Director, & Madeline Stine, Assistant Director, “Leading in DEI Efforts and Engagement; Effective Council Meetings”
Madeline Stine, Assistant Director, “Creating a DEI Conference for CPC Communities”
Staff Senate
The Division of Student Affairs is well-represented in the University of Cincinnati Staff Senate. Staff Senators during 2022 – 2023 include:
- Dana Bisignani
- Daniel Cummins, Vice Chair of Staff Senate
- Brandi Elliott, Chair Elect of Staff Senate
- Denita Kelly
- Andres Obregon-Mantilla
- Heidi Pettyjohn, Chair of Staff Senate
Departmental Updates
Since the fall of 2017, the University of Cincinnati has seen an overall enrollment increase of about 6.7%, however, the Accessibility Resources Offices have experienced a growth in enrollment of students who request and receive academic accommodations of almost 99%.
In 2022-2023, nearly 3,600 students were registered with Accessibility Resources and 1,198 new students registered with Accessibility Resources on all campuses.Replace this text component with your accordion's content.
Digital Accessibility Team
The Accessibility Resources Digital Accessibility Team takes course materials used by professors and ensures that they are accessible. This includes generating professional closed captions on all video and audio content and taking texts and other print-based materials and remediating them to be accessible digital documents or work with text to speech software.
- 480 students received the alternative format accommodation
- 69 students received the closed captioning accommodation
- The Digital Accessibility Team provided closed captions for 3,360 videos, a total of 73,551 minutes of captioning
The African American Cultural & Resource Center's signature programs and services create well-rounded individuals who are culturally aware and ready to become leaders in the community and beyond.
Over 1,000 unique students participated in and AACRC hosted program or visited the center to learn, study, celebrate, connect, or grow.
Transitions Early Arrival Program
The Transitions Program welcomed the largest cohort in AACRC history with 130 students at the beginning of the school year with an 80% retention rate for the academic year.
Leadership Teams
The AACRC offers several ways for students to establish relationships, employ their talents, and develop their leadership skills through leadership teams. These teams include include- Base Steering Committee (BSC), Brother 2 Brother (B2B), Sisters Impacting Sisters (SIS), Habari Gani Ambassadors (HGA), and the AACRC Choir. The AACRC choir celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022-2023. Collectively the AACRC leadership teams hosted over 20 events throughout the school year engaging over 950 of their peers .
My favorite...memory from Transitions was when the...students were prompted to participate in a team activity where we had to help each other through a "miniature yarn course" without any communication while in the process because it had taught each and every one of us that we can get through anything with the help of our peers, but if we don't say anything then help may not be applied ("Closed mouths don't get fed.").
-Transitions student
The Bearcat Bands provide educational opportunities, artistic expression, and leadership development programs to students through music.
Charge into the Next Century
Charge into the Next Century is the Bearcat Bands' initiative to put a quality instrument in the hands of every band member. Donors are helping the Bearcat Bands to purchase and maintain new instruments to alleviate the substantial expense from students and to accept all students whether or not they have their own instrument. Since the fund's inception, Charge into the Next Century has funded 53 new instrument acquisitions and over 100 repairs.
College Band Directors National Association Athletic Bands Symposium
Over 150 band directors from around the United States attended the annual College Band Directors National Association Athletic Bands Symposium hosted by the Bearcat Bands.
Over 5 days, attendees shared best practices in 28 panel discussions, breakout sessions and clinic presentations on diverse topics related to music education and technology. The educational opportunities and sessions with presenters from across the country covered many aspects that make up the athletic band experience. Records were set for overall attendance, number of corporate sponsors, and amount of corporate sponsor money raised.
Band is the reason that I’m still in college, during COVID it gave me an opportunity to socialize and make friends that I would have otherwise been unable to do. The relationships I forged during this time are integral to my current academic success and it would not have been possible without the band.
3rd Year Band Student
Blue Ash Student Support Services is a program through the United States Department of Education that is designed to provide opportunities for academic development and motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education.
Welcome Day and Leadership Retreat
The work of TRIO SSS is grounded in a holistic approach to student development that prides itself on enhancing students' college experience. Blue Ash Student Support Services started the Fall semester with a day long experience for students designed to familiarize them with the program, expectations, and service deliverables. Participants were able to complete a needs assessment and education to industry assessment that informed staff of how to develop and design respective holistic service plans that address both academic and social concerns. Students were also able to participate in a day long leadership retreat designed to develop leadership skills, productive study skills, time management skills, money management, and personal responsibility.
TRIO is the only reason I am still in school. SSS has provided me with a community, tutoring, mentoring, financial assistance, and countless resources and opportunities that impact my future. I can honestly say I would never have made it this far if it weren't for TRIO SSS and Ms. Dj.
TRIO Student
The Center for Community Engagement inspires students to make a positive impact on their communities through voluntary service based on mutually-beneficial and reciprocal partnerships.
A ladder climbing to a cloud in the sky
Bearcat Buddies
The Bearcat Buddies program partnered with the Cincinnati Digital Academy to offer a virtual tutoring option to students who wanted to continue tutoring virtually. Over 60 students took advantage of the virtual tutoring option and over 630 students participated in Bearcat Buddies. Both virtual and in-person Bearcat Buddies of provided over 7,500 hours of service. Through participation in Bearcat Buddies, students developed confidence in their ability to work with children and a stronger appreciation of public-school teachers. Participation in the program also helped to enhance students' ability to work with people who are different than themselves.
Bearcat Buddies made me realize that I truly do want to work with children as my career...A lot of inner-city schools may not have all the resources and support that other schools have, and I believe that there’s a big stereotype that those kids can’t be as successful. I want to be a strong support system in an inner-city school and help those children reach their fullest potentials.
Bearcat Buddies Participant
RAPP
RAPP prepares students to create social change while also learning how to interact with people who are different from them- to live in a more just world. 20 students participated in RAPP, and the participants increased their Intercultural Developmental Inventory scores by 8.44 additional points, or more than half of a developmental orientation. 100% of RAPP participants agreed that they now have the motivational energy needed to serve in the community as a change agent because of their participation in RAPP. 100% of RAPP participants agreed that they are now able to enact self-care to maintain resiliency in their social change journey because of their participation in RAPP. Additionally, the Center for Community Engagement ensured access to RAPP for lower income students by offering $6,500 in book awards to 13 RAPP participants.
One of the most important things I learned in RAPP was how to communicate with others about things we may not agree on. It's very important to ask questions and understand where they're coming from. I now can put myself in other peoples' shoes and can often figure out why they may feel a certain way. This has already helped me resolve several conflicts in my life.
RAPP Participant
Name Change
Center for Student Involvement officially changed its name in March 2023 to better articulate our services to students. Students participated in the name change process and have since adopted it well
Lead and Grow Grant
The Lead & Grow grant provided over $8,000 in financial support for students in their experiential endeavors that may not be covered entirely through other funding opportunities and gave students the ability to connect the classroom to their experiential learning. The grant supported 18 students who would not be able to engage in their experiential learning without the grant's support. 100% of respondents indicated that their leadership skills grew because of their grant funded experience.
I was able to grow in my leadership abilities and confidence and provide mentorship to other students and work in collaboration with faculty who assisted me in growing both personally and professionally.
Grant Recipient
Student Involvement Awards
For the first time, the Student Involvement Awards were a collaboration with the following groups: Center for Student Involvement, Student Activities Board, Student Government, President's Office, Center for Community Engagement, and Student Wellness Center. This collaboration resulted in an in-demand, well-attended, and well received award ceremony that supported students, faculty, staff, and community members in feeling valued and celebrated for their involvement at UC. 87% of respondents would recommend the event to a friend or colleague and 75% of student attendees felt celebrated at the event.
The Cincinnati Pride Grant (CPG) team supports students from Cincinnati Public Schools through academic advising and holistic student development.
The Cincinnati Pride Grant (CPG) reaffirms UC’s commitment to Cincinnati Public Schools. The Cincinnati Pride Grant, in combination with federal, state, and institutional aid, equals the full cost of tuition and a book allowance for those graduates of Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) admitted into University of Cincinnati academic programs who might not otherwise be able to afford a college education.
First Year Success Coaching
87% of students participating in the first-year program will remain in school after their first year from 2023 to 2024. The first-year program included 3 meetings a semester with their success coach, 1 enhancement workshop provided by Cincinnati Pride, and 5 programs through the learning commons. The first-year program is focused on learning about the campus, how it runs, and the students' academic success.
The Commencement Office recognizes graduating students’ achievements by celebrating those successes at the University of Cincinnati Commencement ceremony.
Memorial Service
The Memorial Service offers a space for the UC community to gather and remember loved ones. This year, the service honored 34 Bearcats (16 students and 18 faculty/staff) with individual tributes. The memory stones continue to be valued by guests; guests are asking to create a stone to take with them as well as a stone to keep with the service.
"We wanted to reach back out and thank you and the many others who put the Memorial Service together for today. We weren't sure what to expect, but it was so very beautiful. [Our Student’s] 10 year old brother painted a rock for himself and one to leave. This simple activity was incredibly special and something positive for him to carry through his life. The words spoken touched our hearts and honored our son in a profound way. The work that you do matters and our family is proud to be called Bearcats."
Memorial Service Participant
Counseling & Psychological Services promotes students’ growth psychologically, relationally, and intellectually, as well as supports their wellness and academic success within an inclusive environment.
Access to Services
Counseling & Psychological Services saw an overall increase in accessing services, especially within colleges that have embedded clinicians.
Clinical Services include Rapid Access Consultation, Group Therapy and Individual Therapy, as well as Care Management and crisis walk-in appointments. With a total of 1,759 students served, about 3.6% of students enrolled at UC. And a 15.6% increase from 2021-22.
CAPS saw students embrace in-person group therapy in 22-23, and had an increase of 36% in students served.
Therapy Assistance On-line (TAO)
TAO is a free interactive, web-based self-help program that provides online and mobile tools to help students overcome the day-to-day challenges around stressors like anxiety, depression, or other concerns. CAPS worked with TAO team and Dr. Vicky Gomez-Stallons (faculty member at Clermont) to integrate TAO into Canvas. Now with the click of a button, faculty and staff can add TAO content into their curriculum. So far, the content has been used course content, as well as extra credit opportunities.
The Dean of Students Office serves students and their families as they navigate the collegiate experience through support services and resources committed to student advocacy, safety, and well-being.
The Dean of Students Office serves students and their families as they navigate the collegiate experience through support services and resources committed to students' advocacy, safety, and well-being.
During the 2022 – 2023 academic year, the Dean of Students office:
Dean of Students assisted more than 70 students with nearly $30,000 in emergency funding.
The BCP and Resource Center served 1,637 students who utilized the BCP services 6,755 times.
537 students used the BCP and Resource Center Professional Clothing Career Closet.
CARE Team
Crisis, Assessment, Response, Evaluation Team (CARE) provided advocacy and support to 694 students who faced some sort of crisis (mental health, physical health, or overall wellness). The CARE team supported 22 students successfully through a Medical Leave of Absence from classes and reinstated 5 students from a medical leave back to UC.
Ethnic Programs & Services provides a culturally-inclusive environment by enhancing the growth and development of underrepresented students through intentional programming, academic and community engagement, and access to resources.
Turner Scholars Program
Beginning with orientation, student welcomes, and Turner early arrival program, these experiences are designed to introduce incoming students to each other and the greater UC community. The Turner First-Year Seminar introduces students to campus resources and identity centers, sparking conversations that brought them closer as a cohort. 102 first year students joined the program as the largest class ever accepted. For that class, 127 students were invited, 983 students were reviewed, and 7,944 were invited to apply. In the fall of 2022, 155 students were named to the Dean’s List and 38 maintained a 4.0 grade point average.
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life engages students and chapters through intellectual development, philanthropy and service, social responsibility and citizenship, leadership development, and values integration and personal growth.
Liaison Support Model
Fraternity & Sorority Life has implemented a liaison support model to allow staff to work with a variety of chapters and equitably distribute between staff. By dividing chapters in this way, they have been able to meet with more students. Over 300 liaison meetings with chapter presidents were held – more than 7 per chapter. These smaller group connections help more students be aware of our staff and how Fraternity & Sorority Life can support them.
Greek Advancement Program
In fall 2022, Fraternity & Sorority Life introduced the Greek Advancement Program (GAP). GAP allows chapters to set goals in Academics, Health and Safety, Identity and Inclusion, Leadership and Career Development, and Community Engagement which we support through coaching and educational programs. This comprehensive approach considers the holistic student experience.
The Gen-1 Living-Learning Community supports Pell-eligible, first-generation college students through high-intensity advising, academic courses, and co-curricular experiences to ensure their academic success.
Student Development
Gen-1's pillars - Live, Learn, Give, and Earn provide a framework for students to be purposeful in planning their personal development and campus involvement. Students must complete two experiences per semester for Live, Learn and Earn, and contribute three hours of service to Gen-1, and 10 hours of community service.
Scholarships
Gen-1 provided 94 scholarships totaling $246,000 this year.
I have lived in the Gen-1 House for my entire time at UC. Being in Gen-1 taught me how to become more independent and make my own way. Gen-1 students and staff have supported me when I needed it. Receiving this scholarship did not just help me afford to live on campus – being part of Gen-1 helped me find and increase my self-confidence and grow more than I ever dreamed I would.
Gen-1 student
The LGBTQ Center enhances the campus community for LGBTQ students and their allies through intentional advocacy, providing a safe space, intersectional programming, and access to culturally-relevant resources.
Vogue Ball
The first ever Vogue Ball was hosted to celebrate Black History Month. Over 150 students attended, learned about vogue ballroom culture, and walked a category.
... I think this was the perfect mixture of education about ballroom while still being fun and I'm very grateful I got to witness this stellar event! This event has encouraged me to learn more about ballroom culture and history so that I have a more wholesome understanding of LGBTQ+ history, especially highlighting Black LGBTQ+ people and culture. It was really amazing!
Vogue Ball Participant
Affinity Groups
The LGBTQ+ Center focused on in-person connections this academic year. Major connections with students are facilitated through weekly Affinity Group meetings of which the center hosts 6 - peer led groups for communities like Bi/Pan, Trans, QTPOC and Queer people of faith groups. Each group meets weekly and over 180 meetings were hosted. Each group varies but on average we host 26 students per meeting - seeing roughly 4,500 distinct connection opportunities per year from affinity groups alone.
The Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program prepares global scholars for graduate education.
Federal Grant Objectives
The McNair Scholars Program...
Met 111% of the grant objective to have 80% of Traditional McNair Scholars conduct research or other scholarly activities during the academic year.
Met 125% of our second federal grant objective to have 40% of graduating Traditional McNair seniors be accepted and enrolled into graduate school within the 2022-2023 school year.
Met 109% of our federal grant requirement to have Traditional McNair composed of at least 66.7% of scholars who identify as first-generation students with financial needs.
Awarded over $1.3 million in a renewed federal grant to continue the program through 2027.
- Served 108% (28/26) of students that we are grant-funded to serve as compared to the 85% federal requirement.
The McNair Scholars program improves retention and graduation rates for low Income/first generation and/or underrepresented students. There is an emphasis through the McNair program to increase, create, and generate a more diversified faculty, professional, and scientific workforce.
The most beneficial part of my McNair experience is the networking opportunities I am afforded through the program. I would never have met my mentor without the help of the program nor would I have had so much help during the process.
McNair Scholars Program Participant
The Office of the University Ombuds provides neutral, informal, and confidential (except in cases of Title IX) conflict resolution for the UC community, and a space to talk about campus concerns, disputes, or problems to generate realistic options.
This year, the Ombuds Office participated in 41 education and outreach opportunities.
Group Process for Conflict Engagement
In the Spring of 2023, the Ombuds Office developed a group process for conflict engagement. During Spring 2023 several groups (with a mix of students, staff, and faculty) used iterations of this process. Intergroup guided reflection and intragroup restorative circles are used, alongside one-on-one meetings and full group capacity building sessions. The Ombuds Office has been developing ways to build resilience in groups to engage in difficult conversations without the goal of consensus.
Thank you for coming to talk with us. My peers and I found the discussion about conflict management to be very helpful and enlightening. We will use the knowledge you gave us and build on it for the rest of our careers! Thank you so much!
Ombbuds Program Participant
Parent and Family Programs provides families with information about student services and resources, campus engagement opportunities, and a dedicated place to receive support in helping their students successfully navigate the UC experience.
Family Weekend
Family Weekend 2022 was a great success with 5,000 attendees (including the students and their guests). Family Weekend attendance increased by 1,900 guests from the prior year. Parent & Family Programs developed new partnerships, expanded volunteer opportunities, increased marketing, and had local news coverage of the event. 79% of families reported that Family Weekend was a way for them to engage and support their student's UC experience.
Family Portal
The Family Portal has 70,189 parents & family members in the platform, an increase of 7,889 from the previous year. Parent & Family Programs leverages this space to share UC updates, urgent notifications, and information about UC programs and events. There have been more than 1.9 million impressions on PFP Advertising Campaigns in the Family Portal this year.
I really enjoy the articles about what's going on around UC as well as the variety of informative articles reminding me of topics (academic ,mental health, social interaction, etc.) that impact the students but we tend to forget it's part of the college experience.
Family Portal User
Resident Education & Development creates a residential program for our students that is focused on learning, leadership, inclusion, and community.
Living Learning Communities
RED collaborated on 9 different Living-Learning Communities; 1MPACT House, Audre Lorde Social Justice House, Dr. P. Eric Abercrumbie LLC, Bearcats Wellness, UC the World, DAAP, Lindner College of Business, ELLC, and Women in Science.
It's been really helpful to be surrounded by other students who are taking a lot of the same classes. It has made it very convenient to get quick help if I need help with any classes, as they are right across the hall. I have also been able to make a lot of great friends through the ELLC.
ELLC Resident
Residential Experience
Through Resident Advisors, Community Coordinators, and the new Resource Coordinator, RED has been able to develop a sense of community and build connections with students. RED hosted
72 Experienced Learnings (professional lead programming)
1,516 Community Engagements (RA lead community builders)
11,703 Bearcat Chats (RA and resident one on one conversations)
3 off campus field trips with an average of 39 students per trip
Student Conduct & Community Standards promotes a safe and scholarly community by protecting student rights, providing students and organizations opportunities for growth and reflection when they act in a manner inconsistent with community standards, and fostering a happy and healthy community through education on the Student Code of Conduct and the Bearcat Bond.
Student Code of Conduct
A Student Code of Conduct Review Committee was formed and included 10 faculty, staff, and students from varying parts of the University (UC Blue Ash, UC Raymond Walters College, UC Main Campus, Undergraduate Student Government, and Graduate Student Government Representatives). The selected representatives were tapped to seek feedback from their respective constituents, bring the feedback to the larger group for discussion and voting, and share the outcome. All of the documentation regarding this process was captured on the OSC&CS website for the public to view and pose questions.
The Student Wellness Center empowers students to make informed decisions regarding their health and wellness by providing evidence-based education, inclusive resources, and non-judgmental support.
Calm App
In October the Student Wellness Center launched free premium memberships to the Calm App for all UC students. The membership provided students with ways to support their mental health through guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, sleep support, focus tools, workshops, and more. By the end of April, over 6,000 students had activated their account with a 67% engagement rate. At the end of January 2023, students were sent a survey about their experience using Calm.
89% reported feeling less stressed since using Calm
89% reported using Calm improved their mental wellness
81% reported learning a new coping strategy for stress through Calm
94% reported feeling less stress with their academics because of using Calm
Great Plays Grant
The Student Wellness Center secured $10,000 in grant funding under the Great Plays Grant to fund sober programming. The grant money was used to help fund several late-night Welcome Week events, including late night movies and silent disco, as well as two Sober Tailgates. Sober Tailgates are a substance free tailgating event starting 4 hours before a UC Football home game. The funding also allowed the SWC to plan several Friday Late-Night Programs which were substance-free events for UC students provided as alternatives to going to bars or parties. Students were asked to complete a survey following their attendance at a Late-Night Program (LNP). 97% said they are likely to participate in another SWC event after attending an LNP.
97% reported feeling more connected to the UC community after attending a Late- Night Program
41% reported drinking less alcohol on the night they attended the LNP compared to a typical Friday night (53% reported they don’t drink alcohol)
The SWC has given me the ability to connect with my peers on a deeper level by engaging in conversations surrounding mental and sexual health that typically do not take place in the classroom. It has allowed me to expand my public speaking skills as well as my ability to facilitate group conversations about sensitive topics.
Peer educator
Testing Services provides the UC and greater Cincinnati community access to convenient, secure, and professional testing services, contributing to the pursuit of educational and professional goals.
Test Administration
Testing services administered 6,730 exams, including 4,841 accommodated exams, and 200 online exams through the Online Proctoring Pilot program.
Western Hills Highschool Partnership
UC Testing Services maintains a partnership with Western Hills High School to provide CLEP examinations free of charge. High school students took their exam, toured the Clifton campus, and dined alongside other UC students. Testing Services’ goal is to continue the partnership and incorporate new experiences to increase engagement and strengthen the community partnership.
Veterans Programs & Services provides educational benefit certifications and outreach programs designed to provide student support services for military veterans, service members, dependents, and survivors.
In 2022-2023 VPS saw a 7% increase in student veteran attendance at the student veteran lounge.
Student Veteran Mentors
Veterans Programs & Services partnered with the 3rd and Goal Foundation to provide a mentorship program to new student veterans. The Mentors’ primary focus during the year was to ensure students newly enrolled in our Uptown Campus, regardless of academic standing, received guidance and assistance to meet whatever need they had. Student Veteran Mentors also focused on trying to integrate them into the community by inviting them to events around campus as spectators and or participants. The Student Veteran Mentors logged over 690 contact hours for the 2022-2023 academic year.
The Women’s Center is committed to the personal, political, professional, and intellectual growth of women-identified and gender-minority students by facilitating action, promoting intersectional justice, and fostering connections for all.
Student Engagement
The Women’s Center offered 34 unique events to increase understanding of issues impacting women and gender non-conforming students of diverse backgrounds through dialogue, collaboration, and purposeful action.
Over 300 students attended the inaugural Women’s Welcome event
298 individuals attended an AAUW Start Smart Salary Negotiation workshop
276 students attended Body Justice Week events, including 135 who attended our keynote by Da’Shaun Harrison
Over 250 students, faculty/staff, and community members attended the annual Black Feminist Symposium
Over 300 students, faculty, and staff attended the six Women’s History Month programs and events
Care Infrastructure Committee
The Care Infrastructure Committee (CIC) is a new initiative spearheaded by the Women’s Center Director in collaboration with the Office of Gender Equity and Inclusion. The committee launched in January, since January, the CIC has:
Met with and supported UC Women Lead’s research project on lactation spaces on campus
Developed working relationships with regional campus partners, WIMS (women in Medical Sciences), UC Health, and the two daycares (Arlitt and Empower Learn Create) affiliated with UC
Presented to Staff Senate members