Today's Update: Looking Forward to the Year Ahead

August 17, 2026

Dear Student Life team,

As I sat down to write this note, I found myself thinking about a familiar moment that plays out every year across our campuses. Somewhere right now, a first-year student is counting down the days until Move-In. A parent is wondering whether their student will find their people. A returning student is carrying excitement, uncertainty or perhaps a challenge they have not yet shared with anyone. And before any of them arrive, there is us—the people who answer the phone, prepare residence halls, dining locations, recreation spaces, counseling appointments, orientation programs, leadership initiatives, student organization resources and countless moments of care that never make headlines. We are the people who, in so many ways, make The Ohio State University feel like Ohio State.

As we prepare for another academic year that is quickly approaching, I want to begin with gratitude. Thank you for the work you do, and, perhaps even more importantly, for the way you do it. Every day I have the privilege of watching people choose service, compassion, creativity and commitment in support of our students and one another. Those choices may not always be visible beyond our division, but they shape the experience of every Buckeye who comes through our doors.

This year has also been one of reflection for me. One of the privileges of leadership is that it continually invites us to learn—not only from our successes, but from the perspectives, experiences and conversations that shape our community. That reflection has strengthened my belief in who we are as a division and what this moment requires of us. In higher education, periods of uncertainty often create a choice. We can become entrenched—protecting what is familiar, narrowing our focus and retreating from complexity—or we can choose to accelerate by deepening relationships, strengthening collaboration and remaining relentlessly committed to our mission. I believe Student Life is called to acceleration, not because we have all the answers or because the road ahead will be without challenges, but because our students deserve a community that continues moving forward with purpose, courage and an abiding commitment to their success and wellbeing.

For me, acceleration means choosing curiosity over assumptions and grace before judgment. It means believing that collaboration will always take us farther than competition and continuing to build a culture where appreciation, connection, care and support are not simply values we describe, but experiences we create for one another every day. It also means recognizing that thriving is not something we seek only for our students. If we truly believe in wellbeing, mattering and growth, then we must also create those experiences for our colleagues and ourselves.

In the midst of busy seasons, it’s easy to overlook another important truth: this work is deeply human. Across our division, some of us are celebrating joyful milestones while others are quietly carrying burdens that few people know about. Many of us are doing both at the same time. That reality is a powerful reminder that every interaction matters and that the culture we create with one another is just as important as the services we provide to students. I hope we continue checking in on one another, extending grace generously and creating space for authentic connection, because our students experience the very best of Student Life when the people who serve them are also supported and encouraged.

And because no message from me would be complete without at least one lighthearted observation, soon campus will once again be filled with students who somehow manage to bring enough belongings to furnish a small apartment while insisting they packed light. Residence hall carts will be tested, our plans will be tested, and, if we’re being honest, our patience may occasionally be tested as well. Yet so will our ability to welcome students with warmth, solve problems with creativity and create the sense of connection that makes Ohio State feel like home. If the past has taught me anything, it’s that this team rises to those moments every single time.

The year ahead will undoubtedly bring opportunities we cannot yet imagine and challenges we cannot yet predict. That has always been the nature of higher education. What gives me confidence is not the absence of uncertainty but the presence of all of you. Time and again, you have demonstrated that when we lead with purpose, care for one another and remain focused on our mission, there is very little we cannot accomplish together.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students, your investment in one another and your willingness to keep learning, growing and leading with purpose. As we prepare to welcome another class of Buckeyes, I hope we do so with renewed optimism, renewed energy and the confidence that together we will continue creating a community where every student and every member of our team has the opportunity to engage, learn and thrive at Ohio State, and beyond.

I am Scarlet and Grateful to be on this journey with you and honored to serve alongside you.

With appreciation,

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD    
Senior Vice President for Student Life     
The Ohio State University