Strategic Goals and Planning

The Division of Student Development supports our students through a strategic focus in several areas.

Photo of a student smiling with an ash Wednesday smudge. She is at a retreat and talking to another student across the table from her while they enjoy a meal.
1. Student Development and Formation

We provide students with developmental opportunities for personal growth and spiritual formation.

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2. Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

 We work to ensure inclusion, equity, and safety; and help foster a sense of belonging.

A group of 7 students standing on a playground. Some have shovels in their hands and one has a rake. They are laying down fresh mulch at a community event.
3. Community and Responsible Citizenship

We support community values and help students grow into responsible adults.

A group of students petting a therapy dog.
4. Mental Health and Wellbeing

We encourage healthy choices, behaviors, and relationships.

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5. Mission and Operational Excellence

We adhere to best practices and strive to live the mission in our daily work.

Three-Year Focus Areas

In the Fall of 2022, the Division of Student Development identified the following six specific areas of focus for divisional efforts over three academic years ending in Spring 2025. The work in these areas spans across the division, are integrated, and are mutually reinforcing.

Student development and formation

Create opportunities for staff to deepen their understanding of student development and Ignatian spirituality; ensure that divisional and office-based programs, events, policies, practices, and/or systems are grounded in Ignatian Spirituality and are undertaken with a developmental and formative approach. 

Residential experience

Develop a residential plan that supports today's and tomorrow's students; and identify facilities, staffing, and programming structures that support these plans.

Student onboarding

Create a comprehensive and developmental approach to new student on-boarding that is inclusive of and accessible to all students and their families, that acculturates them to and educates them about Holy Cross, and prepares them for the transition to and through college.

Inclusion and belonging

Foster and promote a culture that supports the free and open expression of ideas, identities, and beliefs; and build skills to negotiate different perspectives; cultivate capacites for staff to engage in inclusive initiatives and practices; ensure that divisional and office-based programs, events, policies, practices, and/or systems are inclusive, equitable, and accessible for our students.

Mental health and wellbeing

Strengthen efforts to address student mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention by becoming a JED Campus; take a comprehensive campus approach to expand the College’s health promoting ecosystem in order to further promote student wellbeing.

Assessment

 Build a culture of evidence within the division by engaging in transparent and continuous data collection that informs our work and student learning.

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Strategic Plans
Strategic Goals and Areas of Focus January 2023

In alignment with the College's strategic planning, the Division of Student Development has set a strategic course for the coming years through academic year 2025.

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Progress and Highlights
Divisional Annual Report and Strategic Plan Update 2023-2024

Read this report to learn about progress on the strategic plan, key accomplishments of the departments, and staff highlights.