Advancing Student Affairs: Turning Strategy Into Impact

The Division of Student Affairs is advancing its 2024-2030 Strategic Plan through initiatives that strengthen student well-being, prepare Razorbacks for life after graduation and foster a thriving organizational culture.

The division has launched a new Strategic Plan website that highlights progress, priorities and outcomes. As student needs evolve, the division continues adapting its approach, while supporting the whole student through experiences and environments that promote wellbeing, a sense of community and success.

"The strategic plan serves as a roadmap for our work, but it's not meant to be static," said Erin Butler, assistant vice chancellor for the Division of Student Affairs. "It's exciting to see the progress we've made and the impact those efforts are having on students. The plan keeps us focused on our priorities while giving us the flexibility to respond to students' evolving needs."

Butler said the new website offers a view of the division's progress and work across Student Affairs.

"We're proud of what we have accomplished and grateful for the dedication of our Student Affairs staff, whose work brings the strategic plan to life each day — as well as the many campus partners who help make this work possible," she said.

Visit the new website at Student Affairs Strategic Plan.

Supporting the Whole Student

Student Affairs is creating new opportunities for students to invest in their wellbeing, build community and access support.

Recent efforts include enhancements to the student engagement platform HogSync, making it easier for students to discover events and organizations, and expanding signature programming within Welcome Weeks and A-Week.

Student Affairs modernized key spaces such as the Student Engagement Hub, Multicultural Center and First-Generation Lounge in the Arkansas Union; developed a Veteran and Military-Affiliated Student Center outpost; and completed a major renovation of the HPER Building at University Recreation and Wellness.

Students now have expanded access to mental health support from embedded Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) clinicians through division partnerships with the College of Engineering, Walton College, The CORD and the Sexual & Relationship Violence Center.

The division also launched wellbeing.uark.edu, a centralized hub for student well-being resources.

Students packed the Chi Omega Greek Theatre this summer for Glow on the Hill, one of the new experiences introduced by the Division of Student Affairs during A Week to help Razorbacks connect and start the year strong. (Photo by Destiny Mbuthia)

Developing Skills for What's Next

Student Affairs helps students build skills for life after graduation through jobs, leadership, community service and other opportunities aligned with the Career-Ready Skills framework.

The framework supports the university's Career Everywhere culture, which views faculty and staff as essential partners in student career development.

The Offices of Career Connections has worked extensively with Student Affairs departments and Human Resources to standardize student job descriptions across the division, strengthening supervision and feedback while helping students build in-demand skills.

Career Connections also implemented the Career-Ready Badge, a credential students can share with employers, and the new Career Catalyst Program, which equips faculty and staff to build students' career confidence.

"I'm incredibly proud of our Student Affairs team and the care, creativity and dedication they bring to supporting students every day," said Jeremy Battjes, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. "The progress reflected in this strategic plan is the result of their work and their commitment to helping students thrive, persist and prepare for what comes next. Ultimately, student success is at the heart of everything we do."

Growth and Accountability

Student Affairs continues investing in employee development and organizational effectiveness, understanding that student success depends on engaged and supported staff.

Division staff members' sense of value has increased by 10% since 2024, supported by ongoing assessment efforts and a division-wide awards and recognition program. The division has also expanded its data reporting and visualization capabilities to better measure and communicate its impact.

Priorities for 2026-27 include strengthening student engagement data, developing retention strategies for residential and commuting first-year students, expanding wellbeing communications and using Student Needs Survey findings to guide future efforts.

To support continuous improvement, division units will participate in program reviews every five to six years. The reviews will help identify opportunities to evaluate effectiveness, strengthen services and operations, and inform future planning. The strategic plan will be reviewed on the same cycle.

"This work is about making sure our efforts are translating into meaningful outcomes for students," Butler said. "By regularly assessing our programs and progress, we can make informed decisions, focus our resources where they matter most and continue improving the student experience."

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports the whole student by cultivating transformative experiences and environments that promote well-being, a sense of community and student success. We prioritize student well-being and post-graduation preparedness, and building a strong organizational culture across our division. For more information, visit studentaffairs.uark.edu.