Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2021

Abstract

Despite the world-wide pandemic (COVID-19) that forced University operations into a remote working environment, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management continued to assist students with educational access and support services to help ensure student success.

Fall 2019 started off with the largest freshman class in GSU history with 263 students being admitted, orientated and enrolled. The freshman class also included the largest number of freshman honors students, 85% of the honors cohort returned to GSU for Fall 2020. New graduate enrollment grew 19% and new international enrollment by 18% for Fall 2020.

GSU’s Men’s and Women’s soccer debuted in Fall 2019 as a member of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference of the NAIA. Also during the Fall 2019 semester, GSU’s Board of Trustees approved the purchase of the Slate CRM System.

In February 2020, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management underwent many changes with divisional restructuring with the departure of Dr. Aurelio Valente, Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. The division is now led by Corey Williams, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, and Paul McGuinness, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics. Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (SAEM) is within Academic Affairs under the leadership of Elizabeth A. Cada, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

In March 2020, due to the covid-19 pandemic, the University moved to remote learning to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Although campus remained opened to support learning and accommodate students in Prairie Place, SAEM services were moved to an online format to ensure the safety of individuals and continued accessibility of services. Virtual services included online open houses, admitted student day programs, preadmissions appointments, financial aid counseling, freshman, transfer and graduate orientation programs, online student events, career services and counseling and wellness programs.

The Dean of Students Office assisted in the establishment of the Student Emergency Fund to help support students with financial need, collaborated with the mRelief nonprofit organization that connects individuals to SNAP benefits (also known as food stamps) and administered the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act fund which distributed relief to students – during Spring and Summer - 1.1 million was award to 1166 students. In addition to the COVID-19 funds, the Office of Financial Aid awarded over $48,226,000 to GSU students.

Auxiliary Services and University Housing (ASUH) assisted with the renovation of the Jaguar Dining Center which started in mid-March of this year. ASUH along with Arena, partnered with a vendor and leased an outdoor self-operating kitchen facility to prep all the meals and deliver to Prairie Place residents at the Convenience Store located in Prairie Place.

These are just several of the many divisional highlights of the 2019-2020 academic year. This annual report provides information about the breadth of programs and services sponsored by Student Affairs and Enrollment Management professionals.

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