ODOS expands student assistance capabilities

The Office of the Dean of Students has announced the creation of Student Support Services, an expansion of existing resources designed to assist students with personal, academic and financial challenges.

The expansion of services includes the addition of new staff members, who will be available to meet with students as needed during regular business hours. Walk-in services for students will be housed in the Office of the Dean of Students, located on the second floor of Schleman Hall.

The new staff members will be in place before the beginning of the 2019 fall semester.

The expansion of services is part of Steps to Leaps, a Student Life initiative that will help students develop their resiliency. Also included in Steps to Leaps are enhanced services and programs for Purdue Counseling and Psychological Services and the promotion of a growth mindset throughout Student Life.

“With the increases in enrollment and in students seeking our services, the addition of staff will help us to better support and follow up with students who are facing challenges,” says Katie Sermersheim, associate vice provost and dean of students. “Student support specialists will empower students to overcome obstacles both in and out of the classroom by promoting resiliency and self-efficacy skills.”

Student support specialists will serve as an initial point of contact for students. Specialists will work with students to develop courses of action to address the problems they are experiencing.

“These services are intended to serve as a first stop for students,” Sermersheim says. “If students aren’t sure where to go, the Office of the Dean of Students can directly help them navigate whatever difficulties they are confronting and make referrals to other resources to get them on the right track.”

The Office of the Dean of Students currently offers resources that helps students address academic, social, personal and financial concerns. Included are nine specialized areas: Center for Advocacy, Response and Education; Counseling and Psychological Services; Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life; Off-Campus Housing; Parent & Family Connections; Recreation & Wellness; Student Health Services; Student Legal Services; and Student Rights and Responsibilities.

An expansion and change in focus of these resources will center on:

• Helping students connect and engage within the Purdue community.
• Addressing issues with coping, adjustment, grief, stress management, self-care and time management.
• Coaching students to use their strengths.
• Fostering connections to University religious leaders.
• Addressing additional problem-solving concerns.

“The ultimate goal is to foster self-efficacy so that we graduate students who are able to face and cope with the future challenges that they will experience both personally and professionally,” Sermersheim says.

The Office of the Dean of Students is committed to helping students reach their fullest potential both in and out of the classroom. Services housed within the Office of the Dean of Students are available to every student at the West Lafayette campus.

Writer: Matt Vader, 765-496-3572, mvader@purdue.edu