Today's Update: High Five Friday
August 21, 2026
Dear Student Life team,
Happy High Five Friday!
As I said in my Update earlier this week, I am so Scarlet and Grateful to you for all you are doing to get this year underway in the best possible way. Student Life makes a difference, and that means YOU make a difference. High Five!
I’ve heard a great many compliments from parents and students on their Move-In experience over the last few days. Most are along the lines of what a mother from Long Island said, “I’ve dropped off three kids at (other) colleges, and this is the best, most streamlined one.” Her actual language was a bit more colorful, but you get the idea. High Fives to everyone who has or will help out with Move-In.
High Five to the Monda Student Resource Center team for being proactive in helping students with their essential needs as the school year starts, including a Back-to-School event at Browning Amphitheater that served more than 100 students.
High Five to Dining’s Trecie Shuler-Palmore, seen in the Union Market proactively educating new students on the best way to utilize their Dining Plans. At the end of the conversation, Trecie encouraged them to “Ask questions and ask for help – we don’t expect you to learn all of this on your own. Have a great school year!”
Rachel DeMooy and Beth Wallace get High Fives for working with university partners to revamp and reimagine our welcome experience for commuter, transfer and campus change students. This work grew out of the Student Transition Tiger Team, and a High Five goes to all team members for their quick efforts in supporting our students. Preview Day was held yesterday and was a great success.
High Fives to Beth Ullum and Ryan Lovell, as well as Lynne Deshler, Brian Danforth and Sarah Oliver in Advancement for asking me to join in holding a series of Buckeye Beginnings welcome events. From two locations in California to Chicago, DC, Long Island and two locations in New Jersey, our newest Buckeyes and their families are excited, ready, reassured and have a local Ohio State community. Over 600 people attended Buckeye Beginnings in seven cities hosted by generous Buckeye families.
High Fives to the review committee for the new Student Life internship program, including Hannah Warner, Jayden Messer, Erica Horn, Angie Wellman and Jen Vandemark. Their wisdom, insight and support are vital to getting the program successfully off the ground.
Jayden Messer at Buckeye Commons gets a High Five for being accepted into this year’s Staff Leadership Series Applied Leadership Cohort. This rigorous professional development program will span the school year, culminating in an applied leadership practicum implemented at Buckeye Commons.
High Five to Digital Communications Coordinator Anita McCoy for pushing the number of Student Life Instagram followers to more than 35,000 for the first time ever.
It's the little things that aren't so little. A colleague wrote to say she left her cell phone on the seat when getting off a CABS bus recently. Shana Parker of Housing and Residence Education noticed and stopped her in time to make sure she went back to pick it up. "I thought that was really thoughtful of her, and it really saved me such a headache to deal with a missing cell phone, which also acts as my wallet. I’m so grateful and wanted to acknowledge her kindness."
Have a Scarlet and Great Welcome Week weekend!
Melissa S. Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life
The Ohio State University