University of Houston Division of Student Affairs - 2021–2022 Annual Report - University of Houston
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New Strategic Plan

Vision for the future, outlining strategic priorities and goals for Fall 2023 through Summer 2027.

Mission, Vision, Values

MISSION

The Division of Student Affairs cultivates an environment that facilitates belonging, well-being, and student success through engagement, discovery, and learning.

VISION

The Division of Student Affairs builds a transformative Cougar Experience of a Top 50 Public University.

VALUES

CARE
We are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect. We passionately work to create a culture of care where individuals feel heard, valued, encouraged, and supported.

COLLABORATION
Our best work is realized through diverse perspectives, knowledge, and resources within the division, across the university, and with community partners.

COMMUNITY
We embrace our diversity and work to ensure the University of Houston is a place where everyone feels a sense of belonging and responsibility for the well-being of their fellow community members.

EMPOWERMENT
We create opportunities where everyone can learn, grow, and be able to advocate for their own needs and the needs of others.

INNOVATION
We are committed to providing programs and services that meet the evolving needs of our community. We embrace improvement, adaptability, and professional development.

INTEGRITY
We hold ourselves accountable for delivering exceptional programs, services, and facilities with care, honesty, and transparency about our processes and outcomes.

Strategic Initiatives

Our new strategic plan seeks to advance the work of our division in these three categories: Helping UH achieve Top 50 status, enhancing services and experiences that match the university’s strategic priorities, and fostering student engagement.

  • Achieving Top 50 Status
    • Improving Student Retention rates, Graduation rates, Social Mobility, and Alumni Support
  • Enhancing UH’s Strategic Priorities
    • Enhancing Student Career Preparation, engaging with our Community, and achieving Competitive Funding
  • Fostering Student Engagement
    • Increasing Sense of Belonging, Student Engagement, and Academic Success

To achieve this, we will be prioritizing the following strategic initiatives:

  • Increase retention of First Time In College (FTIC) students
    • Promote increased student credit hours and GPA for FTIC
    • Increase the retention rate of Pell Eligible FTIC
  • Increased alumni engagement/giving to DSA
  • Increased grants/donations to DSA
    • Lowering costs for economically disadvantaged students
  • Increased student engagement
    • Increased engagement for students at UH Sugar Land and UH Katy campuses
  • Engagement with Third Ward

How We Measure Success

To know if we are achieving our strategic initiatives or not, and to be better able to share those results with the UH community and beyond, the Division of Student Affairs will be measuring the following key metrics:

Achieving Top 50 Status:

  • FTIC retention rates
  • FTIC Pell eligible retention rates
  • Number of UH bachelor graduates who donate to DSA
  • The number of dollars’ worth of services provided to students with financial need

Enhancing UH's Strategic Priorities:

  • Number of hours of career related experiences by student employees
  • Number of students and student hours volunteering in the Third Ward
  • Number of faculty/staff and hours providing service/volunteering for DSA department programs
  • Number of student-athletes utilizing DSA services each semester
  • Dollars raised from grants and donations
  • Number of UH bachelor graduates who donate to DSA

Fostering Student Engagement:

  • Sense of Belonging rating from students
  • Number of unique students served by departments and division
  • Percentage of total addressable population served by division
  • External ratings of student employees’ competencies
  • Average GPA of students engaged in DSA programs/services
  • Average completed student credit hours of students engaged in DSA programs/services