The Student Affairs strategic plan clarifies our organization’s priority issues and identifies opportunities for collaboration. It provides structure to address big issues, measure progress, and align resources in a unified way. The plan was developed over 18 months of discussion, feedback, and organization with stakeholders both within and outside of Student Affairs. The strategic initiatives were launched in fall 2022.
Vision
our ideal future
Every student experiences a just and caring community, a sense of belonging, and academic and personal success.
Mission
our fundamental purpose
Student Affairs challenges and supports the whole student by enhancing their learning, building community, and fostering their well-being.
Values
principles that guide us
Student-centered
Inclusivity
Excellence
Purposeful Learning
Collaborative Relationships
Strategic Directions & Outcomes
Strategic Directionspriorities that drive our actions |
Outcomesconditions we want to impact |
| Enhance student success |
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| Infuse diversity, inclusion, and social justice |
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| Foster a culture of well-being |
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| Strengthen Student Affairs infrastructure |
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Strategic Initiatives & Core Teams
Actions we’ll take to get us closer to our vision
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Diversity, inclusion, social justice, and belonging
Enact systemic changes in approach to diversity, inclusion, and social justice that shrinks retention gaps among underrepresented and marginalized students and increases their sense of belonging.
Sponsor:
Fernie Rodriguez, Associate Vice Chancellor
Champion:
Claudia Guzmán, Director, Multicultural Student Center
Core Team Members:
Rianna Bailey, Mental Health Provider, University Health Services
Stephanie Benson-Gonzales, Director, Parent and Family Program
Stephanie Díaz de León, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator, Wisconsin Union
Caitlyn LoMonte, Director, Office of Inclusion Education
Samina Rogers-Hussain, Fraternity & Sorority Life Specialist, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
Mental health
Establish a comprehensive and collaborative approach to mental health that considers policies, systems, environments, and programs and that engages mental health professionals, staff, faculty, and student peers.
Sponsor:
Jake Baggott, Associate Vice Chancellor
Champion:
Sarah Nolan, Director of Mental Health Services, University Health Services
Core Team Members:
Abby Diehl, Associate Director of Wellbeing, Rec Well
Val Donovan, Assistant Director of Mental Health Promotion & Suicide Prevention, University Health Services
Barb Kautz-Wittwer, Associate Director, Center for Leadership and Involvement
Kathy Kruse, Director, Office of Student Assistance and Support
Mari Magler, Director, McBurney Disability Resource Center
Josie Montañez-Tyler, Assistant Director, Crisis Services, University Health Services
Danyelle Okesanjo, Mental Health Provider and Outreach Coordinator, University Health Services
Sexual assault response and prevention
Create and support cross-campus systems for coordinated sexual assault response with a focus on prevention, increasing access to care and building a trauma informed campus.
Sponsor:
Jake Baggott, Associate Vice Chancellor
Champion:
Molly Caradonna, Director of Survivor Services, University Health Services
Core Team Members:
Sam Bowen, Assistant Director of Violence Prevention, University Health Services
Triston King, Assistant Director of Social Justice Education & Engagement, Office of Inclusion Education
Joe Rasmussen, Director, University Veteran Services
Caleb Williams, Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
Rachael Willits, Associate Director, Dean of Students Office
High-risk drinking
Develop and initiate a strategic plan to reduce high-risk drinking on campus that considers the impacts of policy, systems, and the environment.
Sponsor:
Jake Baggott, Associate Vice Chancellor
Champion:
Amanda Jovaag, Interim Director of Data and Quality, University Health Services
Core Team Members:
Carren Martin, Director, Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement
Jim Long, Associate Director for Dining & Hospitality, Wisconsin Union
Kevin Wong, APIDA Student Center Program Coordinator, Multicultural Student Center
Reonda Washington, Health Equity Data Analyst, University Health Services
Jenny Damask, Assistant Director for High-risk Drinking Prevention, University Health Services
Student leadership
Deliver a uniquely Wisconsin student leadership experience for student organizations, student leaders, and their advisors.
Sponsor:
Mark Guthier, Associate Vice Chancellor
Champion:
Heidi Lang, Principal Student Engagement Officer, Wisconsin Union
Core Team Members:
LeAnne Davis, Coordinator of Clubs and Community Programs, Rec Well
Prisma Ruacho, Assistant Director for Operations and Outreach, Multicultural Student Center
Aaron Vieth, Band Engagement Coordinator, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
Abbie Wagaman, Funding Advisor, Associated Students of Madison
Restorative justice
Foster student communities grounded in restorative justice practices and focused on personal responsibility, mitigating negative impact on others, and the value of civil discourse.
Sponsor:
Christina Olstad, Dean of Students
Champion:
Tonya Schmidt, Director, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards
Core Team Members:
Katherine Charek Briggs, Assistant Director, Gender and Sexuality Campus Center
Jennifer Horace, Assistant Director of Bias Response, Office of Student Assistance and Support
Kelly Krein, Leadership & Advocacy Program Manager, Associated Students of Madison
Cassie Sandberg, Orientation Coordinator, Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement
Assessment
Cultivate a culture of assessment by developing infrastructure, processes, and staff capacity to maximize the use of data for decision-making, enhancing services, and communicating impact.
Sponsor:
Argyle Wade, Chief of Staff
Champion:
Ning Sun, Director of Student Affairs Assessment
Core Team Members:
Lindsay Barber, Chief Operating Officer, University Health Services
Chris Diorio, Coordinator of Digital Services, Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement
Noreen Siddiqui, Asst. Director – Cultural Centers, Multicultural Student Center
Amanda Venske, Education Benefits Program Manager, University Veteran Services
Jeff White, Director of Internal Consulting, Wisconsin Union
Talent development and engagement
Increase opportunities for Student Affairs employee talent development and engagement to enhance the human-centered, collaborative, innovative nature of our organization.
Sponsor:
Argyle Wade, Chief of Staff
Champion:
Warren Scherer, Director, Gender & Sexuality Campus Center
Core Team Members:
Ben Clark, Assistant HR Director, Wisconsin Union
Wanda Manning, HR Director, Central Admin
Jennee Schansberg, Asst. Director of Scheduling & Events, Rec Well
Ruth Vater, Chief Business Officer, Rec Well
Core Team Organization
Sponsor — Student Affairs cabinet member who supports and enables leadership of the champion. Provides resources, removes barriers, and ensures timely progress toward goals.
Champion — Senior leader within Student Affairs who leads a core team for two years. Organizes core team efforts and is responsible for quarterly progress report.
Core Team Member — One member from each of the four Student Affairs areas who serves on the core team for two years. Provides ideas, implements plans, identifies resources, spreads collaboration and communication, and provides content for quarterly report.
Expert (subject-matter or professional) — A person within or outside of Student Affairs who works on a specific aspect of content, plan, or implementation for short period of time.
Core Team Updates
High-risk drinking | Tackling high-risk drinking
March 30, 2023
Staff Q&A
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What is the lifespan of the strategic plan?
The current plan is intended to guide Student Affairs for three to five years. Strategic initiatives will be reassessed after two years.
How will efforts be measured and tracked over time?
Strategic initiatives are established with two-year goals. Core teams develop quarterly and one-year goals within that timeframe. Teams are expected to report their progress by the 10th day after the end of each quarter. Reports will be shared on the Student Affairs website.
| Quarter 1 | July 1 – September 30 |
| Quarter 2 | October 1 – December 31 |
| Quarter 3 | January 1 – March 31 |
| Quarter 4 | April 1 – June 30 |
How should the strategic plan influence the work I do?
As you prioritize your time, resources, and efforts, use the strategic plan as a guide. Not everything needs to drive to the strategic plan, but the vision, mission, core values, and strategic directions should be reflected in your plans, decisions, and in the way you approach your work.
What are the expectations of me related to the strategic plan?
We will accomplish more by working together than alone. Seek collaboration across Student Affairs in the work you do. Look for opportunities to build relationships and understanding—where could your expertise, connections, or resources benefit an initiative? Communicate your ideas with your supervisor and any member of the core team. Be creative, take initiative, and offer support where you can. If you manage a department team, help keep the work reasonable and focused. Encourage collaboration.