Office of Student Life

Today's Update: Thursday, April 9, 2026

April 9, 2026

Dear Student Life team,

When you’re going somewhere, it’s always good to have a map. That’s why I’m pleased to share Student Life’s refreshed Strategic Plan, which will guide our work through 2028. This plan, we talked about at yesterday’s Scarlet and Great Gathering, reflects our shared commitment to supporting the whole student and each other.  

Student Life plays a critical role in shaping the iconic Buckeye experience. Every day, your work helps students discover their strengths, build meaningful connections and find a home at Ohio State. This strategic plan recognizes that impact and affirms that our staff are central to achieving our mission. Each of the plan’s strategic goals includes a dedicated focus on staff engagement and well-being, including continued attention to professional development opportunities, compensation and strong departmental cultures. 

The updated plan is organized around our four strategic goals—Engage, Learn, Thrive and Operational Excellence—that together advance student and staff success while strengthening how we work as a division: 

  • Engage: We will expand intentional community-building opportunities through Buckeye Commons and enhance engagement and support for transfer and campus change students. 

  • Learn: Student Life will deepen its role in students’ academic and career pathways by offering just-in-time career navigation, educational opportunities related to artificial intelligence and exploration of a paid internship program to support workforce readiness. 

  • Thrive: We will continue to promote student well-being by investing in Student Life facilities and scaling preventative mental health and essential needs services that help students thrive. 

  • Operational Excellence: We will drive innovation through fundraising and improvements to our web presence accessibility, while modeling fiscal stewardship by setting annual targets for revenue generation and operational expense reduction. 
     

This strategic plan is ambitious, but it is grounded in the realities of our work and informed by extensive input from staff, students, families, alumni and campus partners. I am deeply grateful for the insights you shared throughout the planning process and for the thoughtfulness you bring to your roles every day.  

High Fives to Erica Regan and Tori Rehr for guiding the strategic planning process. I also want to give High Fives to Maia Gardner, Noah Gilbert, Dave Isaacs, Anna Sullivan Kvam, Kirsten Myers, Khushi Pabboju, Adam Specht, Stacy Smith, Beth Ullum, Jen Vandemark and Candyce Williams for their support in coordinating feedback and listening sessions with various groups. 

Thank you for your continued dedication to Student Life and to the students we serve. I look forward to the work ahead as we continue shaping a Scarlet and Great Student Life experience for all Buckeyes. 

 

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