Today's Update: Help Shape Student Life's Strategic Alignment Initiative
October 12, 2026
Dear Student Life team,
One of the clearest messages from our recent employee listening survey was that we have an opportunity to strengthen connections between the important work happening across Student Life and the broader vision and priorities of The Ohio State University.
Every day, Student Life team members create experiences, services and environments that help students engage, learn and thrive. Yet our survey results suggest that about 40% of employees do not consistently see or understand how their role contributes to university-wide priorities and goals.
To address this opportunity, we are launching a Student Life Tiger Team focused on strategic alignment and employee engagement. The Tiger Team will be charged to do the following before the end of the calendar year:
- Develop recommendations that help Student Life team members understand and articulate how their daily work contributes to:
- Ohio State's mission and vision
- Education for Citizenship 2035
- Presidential priorities
- Student Life strategic goals and annual priorities
- Student success and organizational excellence
- Identify opportunities to strengthen this connection through communications, performance management, onboarding, recognition, leadership practices and employee engagement activities.
- Recommend sustainable approaches that can be implemented across all areas and levels of Student Life.
- Develop a focused Student Life action plan, including recommendations for implementation and measures of success.
The team's work will be guided by a central question: How might Student Life help every team member understand, communicate and demonstrate the impact of their work on the success of Ohio State? The group is expected to take a solutions-oriented, positive approach to identify what is working, where we can strengthen connections across Student Life and what practical actions will lead to positive outcomes for our entire division. Tiger Team participants will bring constructive perspectives, ideas and solutions that advance our shared mission and help all Student Life team members better understand the impact of their work.
Because we know that good ideas come from throughout all areas of the organization, we are seeking Student Life team members from various departments, functional areas and position levels who are interested in helping shape this important work. Participation will involve:
- Serving on the Tiger Team from October through early 2027
- Attending regular meetings and contributing between meetings as needed
- Bringing perspectives from your department and professional experiences
- Helping identify practical solutions that will resonate with employees across Student Life
If you would like to be considered for participation, please submit your name, department and a brief statement (3-5 sentences) describing your interest in serving on the Tiger Team to Angie Wellman (Director of Staff Well-being, Education and Connection), who will be chairing the Tiger Team. Angie’s email address is wellman.63@osu.edu. Before volunteering, please make sure your supervisor is supportive. Interest submissions are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 19. The final group will be announced no later than Friday, October 23, with the first meeting scheduled for October 28.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to help strengthen how we connect our work, our mission and our impact. Together, we can ensure every Student Life team member understands the Scarlet and Great role they play in advancing the future of Ohio State.
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University