INSIDE SCL
From the Desk of the Vice Pre
Dear S CL Colleagues,
As we look toward another semester, Inside SCL reminds us that our division’ s story is told not only through major initiatives, but also through the people, partnerships, and everyday moments that move our work forward. At a recent Employee Roundtable gathering, I was reminded that I appreciate the way this publication captures Student and Campus Life through familiar faces, shared celebrations, and the stories that remind us why this work matters. I was reminded because those in attendance referenced how they made connections due to what they had read in these pages!
At State of SCL, we took time to reflect on a year that asked a great deal of us. We celebrated meaningful progress, recognized outstanding colleagues, welcomed new team members, and honored the many ways this division continues to show up for students and for one another. It was a powerful reminder that our work is not only about what we accomplish, but how we accomplish it: with care, creativity, purpose, and unity.
As we look ahead, our focus remains clear: keep students here and level up everything we do. Those two ideas are inseparable: every time we strengthen the student experience, we also strengthen the conditions that help students stay. Retention is about more than a number. It is about whether students feel supported, connected, and confident that ODU is a place where they can learn, thrive, and persist.
Leveling up does not always have to mean something big or complicated. Sometimes it means making a process easier, trying a new idea, strengthening a partnership, listening more closely, or finding a better way to meet students where they are.
“... our work is not only about what we accomplish, but how we accomplish it: with care, creativity, purpose, and unity.”
Often, it is the everyday improvements, carried out by thoughtful people across this division— those closest to the issue holding the insight and expertise who make the greatest difference.
Thank you for the energy, care, and excellence you bring to SCL. I am grateful for the work you do, the way you support one another, and the commitment you show to our students every day. I hope you enjoy this issue and take a moment to celebrate the people and stories that make Student and Campus Life special. Take care,
bhl
Brandi Hephner LaBanc Ed. D. Vice President for Student and Campus Life
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