Dean of Students Office
Lauren S. Rivera serves as the University's Vice President for Student Life and the Dean of Students. In this role, she works tirelessly to lead a dedicated and passionate team within the Division of Student Life while remaining steadfast in her commitment to advocate for students. Dean Rivera provides oversight for and assists the following departments with creating vibrant and formative learning opportunities for students:
- Center for Career Development
- Center for Health Education & Wellness (Student Wellness, Late Night at 草榴社区, Employee Wellness)
- Counseling Center
- Student Health Services
- Center for Student Engagement (Orientation, Leadership Development, Programming Board, Clubs & Organizations)
- Cultural Centers (Jane Kopas Women's Center & Multicultural Center)
- Office of Student Conduct
- Residence Life.
- University Police
In addition to striving to create a seamless learning environment for students, Dean Rivera serves as the lead student advocate. In this role, Dean Rivera and the Dean of Students Office staff work with students (and, at times, their families) who are experiencing crises or challenges (e.g., academic, wellness, social) by serving as a support person, a referral source, and a responder. As advocates for students both individually and collectively, Dean Rivera and the Dean of Students Office staff challenge, support, and empower students to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom and often engages in conversations with students related to leadership development, service and reflection, civic engagement, wellness, and personal accountability. Dean Rivera and her team approach their work by caring for the whole student, an approach known in Ignatian spirituality as cura personalis.