Division Committees

The Division of Student Affairs created committees to cut horizontally across existing divisional administrative units. Each committee is to address its respective charge and recommend specific divisional initiatives, programs, activities and/or services for its attainment.

As a result, the Division of Student Affairs sponsors four Division-wide Committees. These Committees represent a select four of the six goals of the Division. The primary mission of each committee is to advance the Division’s understanding and progress toward Division goals. Our desire is to become excellent in each of the goals; therefore, it is essential that we thoroughly understand each goal and monitor progress toward these goals. The Committees represent the entire Division; the scope of their responsibility is broad and encompasses all departments and programs within the Division of Student Affairs. The two goals that are not represented by a Committee were determined to be process-oriented and therefore difficult for a committee to develop objectives that would represent the Division.

Assessment and Evaluation

Committee Chair:
Amy Hecht, Associate Dean of Students
hecht@temple.edu
215-204-7188

Assessment and evaluation is paramount to everything we do in student affairs. It is the foundation of quality, a prerequisite to cost effectiveness, the basis for short- and long-term planning, and the gauge for progress. Assessment involves the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods to form conclusions about complex issues and problems. Evaluation is the use of assessment data to make better decisions about quality improvements. Together, assessment and evaluation provide the foundation for strategic planning and program improvement.

The Assessment and Evaluation Committee will lead the Division in understanding and advancing knowledge related to Assessment and Evaluation. Activities will include, but are not limited to:

Assist departments in completing assessment projects;
Conduct one Division-wide assessment project per year;
Collect, standardize, and maintain Division-wide assessment data;
Communicate and disseminate assessment results to the University; and
Provide professional development opportunities related to assessment and evaluation for staff in the Division.

Visit the Assessment Committee Website

Collaboration and Communication

Committee Chair:
Theresa A. Powell, Vice President for Student Affairs
tpowell@temple.edu
215-204-6556

The Division is made up of multiple departments and units spread throughout campus and satellite locations; as such we face significant communication challenges. We must be intentional and persistent about our efforts to collaborate and communicate with each other and our academic partners. Communication and collaboration offers us our greatest chance to achieve shared goals. Collaboration involves sincere efforts to work with others for the mutual benefit of those served. Communication is the dissemination of information among students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders. Departments throughout the Division will make every effort to collaborate and communicate between one other and with stakeholders, both internal and external to the Division.

The Communication and Collaboration Committee will support the Division in internal and external public relations and communications initiatives. Activities will include, but are not limited to:

Develop and implement internal public relations and communications initiatives pertaining to divisional activities;
Design and implement ways to involve the division in the campus and outside communities in divisional special programs;
Coordinate print and electronic publication materials about the division, especially as they relate to student and staff recruitment; and
Provide leadership for divisional special events, holiday staff celebrations and division participation in University ceremonies and campus-wide events.

Professional Development

Committee Chair:
Michael Scales, Assistant Vice President and Director, University Housing and Residence Life
michael.scales@temple.edu
215-204-7184

The Division’s greatest resource is its people; they offer a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience. Their educational backgrounds, career experiences, and talents are vast and diverse. Our collective knowledge and commitment to learning is essential to meeting, as well as exceeding our goals.

Being intentional about developing the skills and talents of those working in the Division is among our highest priorities. Professional development is our commitment to every staff member and student employee in the Division. Leaders, managers, and supervisors must seek opportunities to advance their own skills as well as skills of their staff. Every employee of the Division—from senior-leadership to front-line employees and students—should constantly be involved in a professional training experience (e.g., workshop, conference, seminar, or course) which will help them perform their job duties at a superior level. This investment in human capital is essential to our mission.

The Professional Development Committee will lead the Division in understanding and advancing knowledge related to Professional Development. The purpose of the Professional Development committee is to:

Educate new employees about Division practices (e.g., policies, procedures, structure, personnel, strategic plans);
Inform staff of professional development opportunities through the University, professional associations, and local institutions;
Evaluate staff needs for professional development and plan accordingly;
Partner with campus constituents to supplement Division’s professional development initiatives; and
Coordinate a Student Affairs professional development calendar for multiple levels of staff including students and graduate externs.

Student Learning and Development

Committee Chair:
Ainsley Carry, Dean of Students
ainsley.carry@temple.edu
215-204-7188

Student learning and development is a complex process occurring throughout collegiate life and beyond. Students are learning and growing in almost everything they experience at the University. Every interaction with a faculty member, staff member, or peer can facilitate the development of responsible, productive, and engaged citizenship.

The Student Learning and Development Committee will lead the Division in understanding and advancing knowledge related to Student Learning. Activities will include, but are not limited to:

Provide professional development activities (e.g., workshop, seminar, lecture) focused on helping the Division further understand the complexity of student learning and development;
Integrate institutional learning outcomes into Student Affairs curriculum;
Foster academic partnerships to support student learning and development within the Division;
Serve as a resource for departments within the Division; and
Collect and disseminate current literature related to student learning and development.

Technology Enhancement

Committee Chair:
Jason Levy, Director, Student Center
jason.levy@temple.edu
215-204-7131

The Division is committed to exploring the use of technology to advance programs and services. In light of the many advances in technology, it is incumbent upon every department within the Division to seek innovative ways to use technology to improve program and service delivery. In the past 25 years, technological advancements (e.g., email, websites, e-learning, webinars, on-line services, video conferencing, Blackboard classrooms, web-based services) have helped individuals, teams, and organizations perform at higher levels. Technology has the capacity to improve communication, enhance learning opportunities, and enhance every day work practices. It is our desire to capitalize on existing and future technology to improve our work.

The Technology Enhancement Committee will lead the Division in understanding and advancing knowledge related to Technology. Activities will include, but are not limited to:

Provide professional development activities (e.g., workshop, seminar, lecture) related to technology enhancements;
Collaborate with Computer Services to offer training and development opportunities that meet the technological needs of the Division;
Serve as internal consultants to Student Affairs departments;
Identify and recommend areas (i.e.: departments, programs and services) within the Division that could be enhanced through the utilization of technology; and
Educate the Division about technology applications in the delivery of Student Affairs programs and services.