Student Affairs

Promoting Wolverines at work

stuxbury — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 17:28:50 +0000

Promoting Wolverines at work stuxbury Fri, 08/02/2024 - 13:28

��-Dearborn’s student workers make up 35% of the campus’ workforce. Many of these student workers are Pell-eligible and the first in their families to attend college. Among the Dearborn Wolverines working on campus, nearly all have a 2.5 GPA or higher. But students often find it hard to communicate how their campus work is connected to their career and professional goals.

So what does this data — gathered through a Wolverines@Work pilot program launched by ��-Dearborn’s EXP+ — tell us?

“We need to embark on a major redesign of our campus student employment so students can make these connections to skills they are learning and their future careers,” says Maureen Linker, Associate Provost for undergraduate and experiential learning.

She notes the Wolverines@Work initiative — led by Kelsey Parker, Project Manager for Experiential Learning and Laurel Draudt, Director of Career Services — has the goal of assessing and enhancing the current state of ��-Dearborn student employment from both the student employee and student employee supervisor perspectives. Ultimately, says Linker, campus student employment should be another high impact learning practice like internships, study abroad and capstones.

And EXP+ isn't doing this work alone, Linker says. Since 2022, EXP+ has collaborated with the Arizona State University-led Work+Collective in designing a new model for on-campus employment. Through the collective, ��-Dearborn partners with nearly 20 universities around the nation, including the University of Connecticut and Virginia Commonwealth University, who are all evaluating their student employment practices and processes.

Maureen Linker, Associate Provost for undergraduate and experiential learning

“��-Dearborn stepped forward and became a regional and statewide leader in this national-reaching Work+Collective. Now that the first phase of the work is complete, we are sharing what we’ve learned so far in the hopes that other Michigan universities will join us,” Linker says. She says the ASU team wanted to work with ��-Dearborn because of the university’s Experience+ structure — which helps connect students’ educational experiences to career goals — along with campus’ project-based learning course focus, the SURE program and the digital storytelling initiative ��-Dearborn Speaks.

Linker says survey data and focus group feedback, which was gathered over the 2023-2024 academic year, showed that campus employment connects students to the university in a way that may help them stay in school and get to graduation. And with more than one-third of the campus workforce likely being new to the work world, university leaders needed to provide more support to student employee’s supervisors. Linker says the feedback also highlighted the importance of helping working Dearborn Wolverines find deeper meaning in these campus roles so they can see how the skills they are learning through university employment directly transfers to post-graduation careers.

To support this work, ��-Dearborn’s pilot program included supervisor and student employee surveys, professional development sessions, regularly scheduled employer-employee check-ins, and the opportunity for students to share their employment stories through photojournalism projects and digital storytelling efforts. The pilot program concluded in June 2024. Now the next phase is underway and these efforts are becoming more visible across the university.

Outcomes from the pilot include:

A better understanding of ��-Dearborn’s student employee landscape and impact through survey data. For example, 660 student workers were employed during the 2023-24 academic year; student respondents shared that if they had a good relationship with their supervisor, they felt more connected to campus
Development of a new student employment handbook
Tips and templates for creating student-employee job descriptions that attract the best candidates by showcasing how a position can tie into future career goals
Creation of supervisor training programs like the upcoming Federal Work Study Virtual Panel from 10-11:30 a.m. Aug. 8 and the Supervisor Spa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 14. Questions about these events? Reach out to Wolverinesatwork@umich.edu.

To share these and redesign-process lessons learned, ��-Dearborn recently hosted a "Redesigning Campus Student Employment for Student Success and Retention" conference.

Attended by representatives from universities across the state — including several community colleges and more than half of Michigan’s 15 public universities, the day-long event showcased ��-Dearborn's role in an ASU partnership project, which is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Strada Education Network. Linker also encouraged institutions to join the Work+Collective effort at the conference. After the conference, Eastern Michigan University joined the collective and Western Michigan University offered to host an additional conference around the subject.

“The turnout for the conference was incredible. This tells me that we aren’t the only ones who feel student employment needs more attention,” Linker says. “As universities, we are focused on academic success and working hard to get our students to graduation. That’s crucial, but data also shows us that the student employment experience plays a major role in student success. Historically, universities haven’t invested in making the student employment experience a coordinated process that emphasizes support and learning outcomes. The current student employment experience often depends on their relationship with a supervisor, who may not have had the training or resources to mentor a student employee. We want that to change.”

��-Dearborn Office of TRIO Programs Assistant Director Latresa Rice attended the conference and shared her office’s experiences with the Wolverines@Work pilot program study, The office staff in TRIO Programs — a series of federally-funded and state-funded programs that help students from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome barriers to higher education — supervises 19 student employees.

Rice, a ��-Dearborn alum, says some campus employers, like TRIO, are already observing best practices, like regular check-ins when mentoring student employees. But she looks forward to having a centralized place for student employees to connect and for supervisors to explore training opportunities. She says university support is key and it will benefit everyone.

“As employers, many of us see ourselves in our students and we want to do the best for them. I remember what it felt like being first-gen and coming from a low-income background. It’s not an issue of dedication to our students — that’s always there. But resources for supervisors haven’t always been available in an easy-to-find way. It’s important to remember that these students are learning from us as leaders,” says Rice, who graduated from ��-Dearborn in 2004 and went on to earn graduate degrees in social work and business administration.

“As a ��-Dearborn student, I worked in TRIO,” Rice continues.” My supervisors — William Keener and Perry Boyd II — shaped me. They gave me confidence to try new things. They cleared red tape. They motivated me by showing me what career and education paths were available and modeled what good leadership looks like.”

At the conference, Rice encouraged one of her student employees — Kalaia Jackson, a ��-Dearborn junior —to present their table’s breakout discussion summary. Jackson, who’s majoring in biological sciences, stood confidently in front of the crowd and clearly shared the highlights. Jackson credits that confidence to experiences gained through the support of Rice, who encourages Jackson to publicly speak to groups on behalf of the TRIO programs. Jackson, who plans to attend medical school, sees how this skill can help her in the future when it comes to presenting research. See a video Jackson made about her student employment experience — it’s fourth in the list.

Rice says she regularly finds ways to nudge her student employees out of their comfort zones. “Our ��-Dearborn students are talented. We need to challenge them because if we don’t give them a chance to do it, they won’t know that they can,” she says. “It’s all about learning about their goals and then connecting them with experiences where they can step out and boldly shine.”

��-Dearborn's Student Employment Advisory Council, which assisted in the Wolverines@Work initiative has representation from across campus, including: Career Services, Athletics, University Union and Events, Office of Academic Success, One-Stop, Financial Aid, Human Resources, EXP+ and the Provost Office.

Story by Sarah Tuxbury.

Experiential Learning

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Fri, 08/02/2024 - 17:23

University leaders are redesigning the student employment experience at ��-Dearborn. What does that mean for students and their supervisors?

TRIO Assistant Director Latresa Rice encourages her student employee Kalaia Jackson to speak at a recent conference. Photo by Sarah Tuxbury

Living an 'org'anized life

tinahu — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 19:42:14 +0000

Living an 'org'anized life tinahu Mon, 03/14/2022 - 15:42

Academic duties form the crux of university life. Still, they are by no means the only objective for student life. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities can define an engaging college experience.

With nearly 150 student organizations and clubs on campus, Office of Student Life Director Tyler Guenette said there is something for everyone.

So when choosing the best fit, consider which ones will help most with realizing personal or professional goals. That way, students get the benefit of involvement without feeling stressed from taking on too much.

And as students change interests or move closer to graduation, Guenette also said it’s important to take time to evaluate what is most beneficial to your growth. “As you move forward, hone in on your interests and take on more leadership responsibilities, it's okay to step back from organizations that aren’t helping you meet your goals. Try not to overextend yourself because quality is more important than quantity.”

Here's what some ��-Dearborn Wolverines have learned through their campus club and student organization experiences.

Wasey Rehman

Wasey Rehman, freshman

Wasey is involved in Student Government, Bio Club, Pakistani Student Association and Hyderabad Student Association, the latter two he co-founded.

Overcoming obstacles:
“Growing up, I was a shy kid and normally kept to myself. I had a stuttering issue and my mom enrolled me in an enrichment program about public speaking and confidence. It helped me break my shell and led me to join public speaking clubs like Student Government.”

Getting involved:
“Put yourself out there. Signing up for clubs is a lot easier than people think. Joining each organization builds confidence. It is vital to be a part of something more than classes to get a better idea of what you’re interested in doing in the future and to meet people. You may feel hesitant at first but once you’re in, you will always want to take on more. I chose ��-Dearborn over ��-Ann Arbor because Dearborn offered a better student experience package and that motive drove it home for me.”

Grace Obermiller

Grace Obermiller, junior

Grace is the philanthropy officer for Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, CRUISE facilitator, Alternative Spring Break volunteer and a mentor in the Wolverine Mentor Collective.

Growing personally and professionally:
“Putting yourself out there is a very scary thought. But if you only stick to what you’ve known throughout your life, you don’t allow any room for yourself to grow. Most opportunities presented to you may end up being once-in-a-lifetime moments. Not being open to new experiences may be of some comfort but also hinder your overall growth as a person. I am thankful for every single opportunity I’ve had. Each opportunity has taught me way more about life, including the career and professional aspects.

Stepping into a new group with a lot of unknowns is, in a way, a strange motivator and a potential life lesson. I wanted to take full advantage of my college life, and I feel I may have missed out on a lot if I had ever said no to the opportunities presented to me. I’m thankful for all my experiences that helped me get out of my comfort zone and become what I am today.”

Josue Rios

Josue Rios, senior

Josue is a marketing intern at Experience+, an Engaged Scholar in the Engaged Scholars Program, a Student Representative for the Alumni Society Board, president for The Musician's Club and is on track for his (M)Talent designation in Talent Gateway.

Discovering your passion:
“You learn to prioritize tasks and responsibilities in a safe and encouraging environment, but your experience will vary depending on how much effort you are willing to put in. For instance, working with the Alternative Spring Break provides me experience with admin, external relations and macro and microplanning. Managing multiple responsibilities can be a challenge, but everyone has different capacities for different purposes. There may be a potential burnout or discouragement from campus engagements altogether, be it academic or otherwise. But ultimately, your passion will help you prevail.”

Finding your place on campus and preparing for life post-graduation:
“For me, it’s all about the passion, ideation, and potential network you can create through this. One can equate the motivation to fitting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together, and when you find the right combination, you start seeing the bigger picture.

As president of my passion project, Culture: The Musician’s Club, my aim is to showcase a more laid back, community-centered approach to student orgs with the motive to create an environment for students with similar tastes to get together and foster their own network. The same goes for my position as a student representative for the Alumni Society Board — I serve as a student's voice and get insights into university networks, functions and opportunities that the average student doesn’t see. And, as a marketing intern with Experience+, I get to be in a position that heavily aligns with my interest in marketing and prepares me for my career ahead.”

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Article by Rudra Mehta. Have questions about student life and how to get involved? Send Tyler Guenette an email or stop in at the Office of Student Life, University Center room 2136.

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Getting involved can be a highlight of student life — it comes with friend connections, resume enhancement and other benefits. But don’t just take our word for it. Three ��-Dearborn Wolverines want to share what they’ve learned through their campus club and student organization experiences.

Students looks at the variety of clubs and organizations available to join at the 2022 Involvement Fair. Photo by Rudra Mehta

Rethinking commuter life at ��-Dearborn

tinahu — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:06:42 +0000

Rethinking commuter life at ��-Dearborn tinahu Wed, 02/09/2022 - 10:06

��-Dearborn is the only fully commuter campus out of the 15 public universities in Michigan, and it’s long been discussed whether that unique status was a net pro or con. Recently, though, there’s been a lot of enthusiasm for seeing the commuter experience as a real asset. In the university’s strategic plan, it’s even featured as a core part of our identity. So what’s changed? When we asked Dean of Students Amy Finley, who’s been serving on a university working group charged with improving the commuter experience, she said the pandemic seems to have brought some fresh thinking to an old debate. Specifically, not having densely populated residence halls during a public health emergency proved to be a huge logistical advantage. And Finley says that seemed to get campus leaders thinking about what else might be positive about our version of the commuter experience.

There are plenty of reasons why the commuter format seems like it could be a plus for the university in today’s higher education environment. For starters, Finley says the cost of college has continued to climb. ��-Dearborn, of course, prides itself in being an engine of social mobility: Nearly half our students are first-generation college students, and just south of half are Pell-grant eligible, meaning they face substantial challenges paying for college. As such, there’s a large pool of students in the metro area who probably aren’t looking for a residential experience simply because they’re priced out of one. In contrast, the ability to live at home, study at a University of Michigan campus, and have lots of access to co-ops and internships within driving distance, simply offers more bang for their buck. Another trend Finley is noticing: Adult students who are already fully in the workforce but who are interested in flexible graduate programs featuring evening or hybrid options. This again is a type of student who’s not really interested in dorm life.

In fact, while we often characterize our students as commuters, it’s probably not the most descriptive term. Finley says often their most defining quality isn’t that they live somewhere else and drive to campus, it’s that they are “navigating multiple life responsibilities.” “They may be a traditional student, but may also be working 30 hours a week to contribute to their families’ or their own living expenses,” she says. “Many of our students are parents. Many live in multi-generational homes and may be caring for parents or grandparents.” This translates into a greater need for flexibility. And in this area, the pandemic experience has been especially instructive. Pre-pandemic, core campus services, like financial aid and academic advising, typically were an in-person, come-see-us-during-office-hours-between-9-and-5 kind of affair. When that became impossible, we learned new ways to deliver those services, most notably through Zoom and chat. Commuter students loved it, Finley says. A 15-minute Zoom call simply fit much better into their busy schedules than an equivalent face-to-face session that required a 45-minute round-trip drive squeezed into a lunch break. Moving forward, she says that change to service delivery will be permanent. They’re even eyeing some additional innovations aimed at working students, like one night a week where all services in the University Center will be open late.

Finley says they're also tackling another common commuter campus challenge: making sure students have rich experiences beyond academics. “I think we’re at higher risk of students’ relationships with us being more transactional,” Finley says. “People could easily drive here, walk into class, not talk to anybody, take notes, high-tail it back to their cars and go home. But that doesn’t maximize the college experience. We want our students to be able to ‘find their people,’ whether that’s through a campus job, or a research opportunity, going to an open skate at the Fieldhouse, or getting a cup of coffee with a classmate. We probably have to be working a little harder than a residential campus to make sure that sense of belonging is happening.”

To that end, Finley and the student life teams have been reimagining some spaces in the University Center. Their current renovation project will turn the underutilized former student organization center into a second-floor mixed-use lounge. Finley says it will feature a “coffee house vibe” in the front with additional informally divided spaces for socializing, homework and group projects. They also really wanted to give student life a footprint on the first floor of the building, where folks might be more likely to pass by and have their interest piqued. So this past September, they soft-launched the new Campus Involvement Hub, where students can do everything from check out board games to get information about student organizations. Allison Kinsey, our new assistant director at the Office of Student Life, says the new space is definitely in its experimental phase, given that student density on campus is still a fraction of what it was pre-pandemic. But they’re already seeing how it might fill a niche. On any given day, Kinsey is seeing students drop by to ask questions about student organizations, pick up free ��-Dearborn swag, and when the weather is nice, check out ladder ball, cornhole and a giant 4-foot tall version of Connect 4. They’re also tracking what services are used the most. “That will give us some good data moving forward on what people are coming for — and what we don’t have that they’re looking for,” Kinsey says. “We have ideas about what we’d like to add. But we really want students to lead that conversation.”

On the immediate horizon, Kinsey says expect some more (cooler) board games. She recently helped curate a list that better matches the tastes of 20- and 30-somethings (nothing against Candyland, but Settlers of Catan, Codenames and Exploding Kittens are worthy additions). And a few months from now, she’s looking forward to a few “campus involvement consultants” joining their team. The idea is that students could stop by, share their interests, and then get personalized recommendations for student orgs, volunteer opportunities, jobs, or activities that are a good match. On a campus where student life may require some extra cultivation, a little coaching could go a long way.

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Story by Lou Blouin

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Wed, 02/09/2022 - 15:06

As part of the university’s strategic plan, we’re rolling out some new spaces and services specially tuned for today’s commuter students.

Students at Wolverine Welcome Day in 2022.

Campus Colleagues: Kristine Day

stuxbury — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 23:50:47 +0000

Campus Colleagues: Kristine Day stuxbury Mon, 11/01/2021 - 19:50

Photo of Student Affairs Assistant Director Kris Day, pictured right

Student Affairs Assistant Director Kristine Day’s University Center office is a Grand Central Station of sorts.

Students lean into Kris’s open office door to chat about work and life. ��-Dearborn alumni reach out to let Kris — who’s been with the university for 20 years — know about their upcoming weddings, jobs and expanding families. Staff voices are heard talking with her over Zoom chats when planning ��-Dearborn events and programs.

And, when Kris isn’t in her office, you’ll find her front and center at the University Center’s Information Desk training work study students or taking MCard photos of new Wolverines. She acts in a mentor role on a daily basis, supervising nearly 50 students on University Unions & Events operations and information center teams. Kris is also in charge of the campus’ weekly student newsletter, a publication that goes out every Sunday between 6 and 7 p.m. “We wanted to consolidate all upcoming important campus information in one place instead of students getting five or six separate emails from different departments or offices. It’s had incredible readership.”

She’s busy, but always enjoys catching up with her students and campus colleagues because a sense of community is core to who she is. Talking with Kris recently, she shared lessons she’s learned from family, her colleagues and experience.

Your roots don’t define you, but they do help shape you.

“I grew up on our family farm in Lenawee County. The farm had been in our family for generations — since the state of Michigan was settled. When I was young, there were cattle. Later, my family decided to just focus on cash crops like corn, soybeans and wheat. There’s a lot to be said about growing up on a farm in a small town. You learn a strong sense of community and see how interconnected we are to each other. Sure, everyone knows everyone’s business... which isn’t always ideal. But, if you need help, all you have to do is put out the call and people will respond.

In addition to a farming history, my family has generations of educators. My mom was a teacher. My grandma was a teacher in the rural one-room schoolhouse. I was convinced that I wasn’t going to work in education like them. I was going to do something different. But, through my experiences, I saw why they wanted to work in education. You feel like you make a difference. It might be small, but what you do could create a spark that lights a path in someone’s future.

I loved living on that farm. The family sold it last year and I was sad to see it go. I learned so much while growing up there. In a way, it will always be with me.”

Be open to a change in plans.

“I’ve always liked animals. So when I first started college as an undergraduate, my intention was to work in animal communication, like how people use sign language with primates.

I was someone who had to work to make ends meet in college and I got a work study job on campus in the student activities office. I had no idea how much that job would impact my life. It changed everything for me. I learned how much fun it was to see something you put together from beginning to end come to life, especially when it’s meaningful for students. I was totally energized from it. In the four years I worked in student activities, we created programs, ran programs and did all the behind-the-scenes work. You can even say I have a bit of roadie experience because I rolled up cords and helped pack up after putting on concerts by headliners like Gwen Stefani, Ziggy Marley and Harry Connick Jr. My work study boss and mentor noticed my love for student activities and encouraged me to go graduate school.

That wasn’t my plan at the beginning, but it was absolutely the right path for me. It’s kind of come full circle. Now I work with campus’ work study students. I’ve been on campus since October 2001 and I still love what I do.”

��-Dearborn gives the opportunity to create campus experiences you want to see.

Photo of Kris Day at WOW leadership camp

“As we know, ��-Dearborn is a commuter campus. Even though students don’t live directly on campus, they are still very invested in what happens here. They want fun activities, safe spaces, engaging events, speakers who make you think, and programs that bring people together. We want to make sure that our students have the experiences that will holistically make them more prepared for whatever their next life step is. I learned during my time here that leadership is very open to new ideas. If you notice there is something missing for our students, have an idea on how to bridge that gap and want to take responsibility for it, there’s often an opportunity to create it.

That’s how Homecoming happened on our campus. About a decade ago, students shared with me that they wanted to celebrate their campus and school spirit. We created a week-long series of Homecoming events that now has evolved into a tradition here. The Alternative Spring Break program and Volunteer Center on our campus started this way too. If you are a student who wants to bring something new to campus, let us know. Sharing an idea is the first step in making something happen.”

Leave things better than you’ve found them.

“My dad was big on telling us to leave things better than you’ve found them. That’s a big thought, but it really comes down to simple everyday things. It can be picking up garbage that you see and putting it in the trash can. It can be having a positive attitude and a smile when you are meeting with someone. It can be creating something new or strengthening what already exists. What you do is up to you. If it has an impact, no matter how small, you are doing something right.”

University Unions & Events

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Mon, 11/01/2021 - 23:49

Student Affairs Assistant Director Kristine Day shares lessons she’s learned from family, colleagues and experience.

Mentorship program gives new way for students to gain friendship and guidance

stuxbury — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 20:13:32 +0000

Mentorship program gives new way for students to gain friendship and guidance stuxbury Mon, 08/09/2021 - 16:13

Students meet on campus to learn more about campus life

Knowing where to go next is essential when heading toward a destination. With college being a journey of sorts, it’s important to have a navigation system. And that’s why ��-Dearborn started the Wolverine Mentor Collective.

The Wolverine Mentor Collective (Wolverine MC) is a new mentoring program for first-year, second-year and transfer undergraduate students.

“With many of our students coming to campus this fall for the first time — that’s our students from Summer 2020 until now — we wanted to welcome them in a meaningful way that immediately helped them make connections,” said Dean of Students Amy Finley. “Campus is their home away from home. We want them to know it and love it.”

To help students get familiar with campus life, each person who signs up for the Wolverine MC will get a junior or senior student mentor. Each person will take a survey so pairs have similarities, which can be personal, academic or identity related — and most often a mixture of all three.

The mentor will help guide newer students throughout the 2021-2022 academic year and will answer questions or provide advice — or steer to the right contact if they are unsure — about classes, getting involved, where to go for assistance and more. In addition to having a go-to resource, students will connect monthly for check-in meetings to see a friendly face and share experiences.

“If you haven’t been on campus, you often don’t know the ropes and haven’t had time to build relationships yet. This way these students have a person they are comfortable reaching out to — through texting, emailing, calling, Zooming — for help,” Finley said. “The mentoring program cuts out the frustration of not knowing, leads to faster solutions and hopefully, over time, builds friendships. These are people with similar interests, so we hope our newer students will gain friend networks through this program.”

Currently more than 100 upper-level students have signed up to be mentors, but Wolverine MC is still seeking additional people interested in the role. Students can sign up to become mentors. After signing up, a ��-Dearborn staff member will reach out to you to give more information. Each mentor will be eligible to be compensated with a $100 stipend.

For students interested in gaining a mentor for the year, you can read more about the Wolverine MC, email questions to wolverine-MC@umich.edu or sign up.

The Wolverine MC program is a partnership between Experience+ and the Division of Student Affairs.

Student Success

New Student Engagement

Student Affairs

Talent Gateway

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Mon, 08/09/2021 - 20:10

The Wolverine Mentor Collective is a mentoring program for first-year, second-year and transfer undergraduate students. Students new to in-person campus life — those who enrolled from Summer 2020 to now — are encouraged to sign-up.

Student-centered events are getting a reboot online

lblouin — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 14:08:04 +0000

Student-centered events are getting a reboot online lblouin Wed, 03/25/2020 - 10:08

A Facebook Live event featuring ��-Dearborn's Saulo Ortiz in his home kitchen displays on a laptop.

Even as classes moved online last week and most ��-Dearborn staff started working from home, one vital part of campus life was left mostly on the sidelines in the wake of new social distancing measures. In the course of just a few days, in-person university events — of any size — disappeared from the calendar, as leaders asked organizers to postpone or find virtual ways to hold gatherings.

Dean of Students Amy Finley says that was a particularly big blow to students and student organizations.

“I just remember feeling sad — especially for my seniors, whose year, for most intents and purposes, had just kind of ended,” Finley says. “They weren’t going to get to celebrate with their peers, or do their end-of-year student organization events, or socialize with their friends as they closed out their student careers. So our team just started thinking about how, even in this different environment, we could bring people together.”

In just a week, Finley and her team were able to get a lot of events back on the calendar in virtual form. For example, head of first-gen programming Saulo Ortiz pitched in by hosting his first-ever Facebook Live event — “Snack and Socialize with Saulo” — where Ortiz and about 30 participants shared some healthy make-at-home snack ideas. (His video already has almost 700 views.) Thursday at 7 p.m., they’re hosting an online discussion of the new Netflix film “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker.” And Counseling and Psychological Services recently launched a slew of virtual resources, from self-care tip sheets to online counseling sessions.

Finley says workshops that feature a discussion leader fielding questions from viewers work particularly well in an online format. Her team has several of those planned for the coming weeks — including one aimed at helping student organizations stay active during a prolonged period of social distancing.

“I can’t say enough about our team right now,” Finley says. “They’re pivoting so quickly, they’re being creative, they are working so hard to keep students connected. I’m a ‘silver linings’ kind of person, and one of the silver linings of a challenge like this is that we’re finding new and creative ways to do things. And maybe we’ll discover some of those things are so great, they'll become part of our regular repertoire when we get back to normal.”

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Want to browse the university’s latest lineup of virtual events? Check out the full events calendar.

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Wed, 03/25/2020 - 14:06

The Division of Student Affairs is adapting quickly to keep ��-Dearborn’s student community feeling connected.

Student Affairs

Promoting Wolverines at work

Living an 'org'anized life

Wasey Rehman, freshman

Grace Obermiller, junior

Josue Rios, senior

Rethinking commuter life at ������-Dearborn

Campus Colleagues: Kristine Day

Your roots don’t define you, but they do help shape you.

Be open to a change in plans.

������-Dearborn gives the opportunity to create campus experiences you want to see.

Leave things better than you’ve found them.

Mentorship program gives new way for students to gain friendship and guidance

Student-centered events are getting a reboot online

Rethinking commuter life at ��-Dearborn

��-Dearborn gives the opportunity to create campus experiences you want to see.