Dear CSU Students and Alumni,
I would like to take an opportunity to introduce you to the Division of Student Affairs. Student Affairs is an arm of Academic Affairs reporting to the provost with a focus on exceptional service, engagement, retention and persistence.
I was privileged to be selected as the vice president and began in late April 2013. We are a new unit at CSU and continue to evolve as an organization. Today, we consist of the following units representing almost 150 employees:
- Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
- Office of the Ombudsman
- Success Center (Writing and Math Centers, Disability Services, and Career Services)
- Office of the Registrar
- Department of Student Services
- Academic Advising Center
- Alumni and Student Engagement (New in October 2013)
The vision and mission for Student Affairs was developed in May 2013:
Vision:
Student Affairs at Columbia Southern University will be recognized nationally for contributions to student success as a result of exemplary online programs and services.
Mission:
Student Affairs advances the educational mission of Columbia Southern University through exceptional service, student engagement, and learning support.
Student Affairs, as a profession, has been around since before World War II. The purpose of the profession was to relieve faculty of administrative tasks and focus a select group of professionals on the support of students outside the classroom. This led to programs in housing, recreation, Greek life, support services, advising, enrollment management, judicial affairs, diversity, counseling, and many other student services areas
Student Affairs is now an industry with national and international professional organizations with graduate programs in hundreds of universities around the world. It is a career field within higher education that serves a key role in the governance and effectiveness of colleges and universities.
As Student Affairs continues to evolve as an organization, we will let you know of changes that are occurring. For example, in the department of Student Services, we have changed the title of Student Service Representatives to Student Support Specialists. Our Specialists will continue to provide you with the exceptional services that you have always received.
In addition, our Career Services department will be merging with the new department of Alumni and Student Engagement to provide programs and services for our graduates. We are currently hiring professionals to launch the Alumni and Student Engagement department. They will work closely with our graduates and current students to engage them in activities, initiatives, clubs and organizations, and build a spirit of CSU history, pride, traditions and loyalty in our alumni.
With CSU Pride!
Kent Kelso
Vice President for Student Affairs
I would like to see a sorority developed, within the next 6 months. I am interested in AKA enrollment opportunities. Please keep me posted with updates. Sorority and fraternities offer inclusive rewards for students. Thank you in advance.
Catherine Townsend