the role of student affairs and services in higher education

Typical Activities –
• Assessing multicultural student needs and developing key support systems.
• Developing specialized orientation activities, programs, and events that
complement such institutional activities.
• Assisting multicultural students to assess their academic goals and skills.
• Providing the appropriate support services that help multicultural students to
achieve their educational goals and develop their personal career paths.
• Providing programs that enhance knowledge/skills for academic success.
• Providing opportunities for multicultural students to develop a deeper
understanding and a better knowledge of their culture, heritage, and history.
• Identifying and offering appropriate multicultural mentors and role models.
• Supporting and encouraging a diverse curriculum.
• Developing programs, activities, and events that change prejudicial and
stereotypical attitudes and/or behaviors.
• Developing programs and opportunities to enhance multicultural student
understanding and skills necessary for the exercise of leadership.
• Developing/administering assessment instruments for multicultural students
to develop understanding of their skills, interests, and learning styles.
• Providing advising, counseling, and assistance for multicultural students.
New Student Programs and Services (Orientation)
Purpose/functions –
• To facilitate the transition of all new students, first-year, transfer, and
graduate students, into the institution.
• To assist new students in understanding the purposes of higher education
and the mission of the institution.
• To prepare new students for the institution’s educational opportunities.
• To initiate the integration of new students into the intellectual, cultural, and
social climate of the institution.
• To prepare students for the diverse campus environment they will encounter.
• To assist new students in understanding their academic responsibilities.
• To provide new students with information about academic policies,
procedures, and programs so they can make well-informed choices.
• To inform new students about the availability of services and programs.
• To assist new students in becoming familiar with campus/local environments.
• To provide new students with information/opportunities for self-assessment.
• To provide relevant orientation information and activities to the new students’
primary support groups (e.g., parents, guardians, spouses, and children).
• To improve student retention by providing a clear and cogent introduction to
the institution’s academic community.
• To provide orientation programs for parents of students.
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