Strategic Plan 2022 - 2027

Our Mission, Vision, and Goals

Our vision in student affairs is to create an engaging learning environment where community is strengthened and individuals flourish. That critical dual focus - on the community and the individual student - defines our approach across the division. We are deeply committed to our students - to their personal growth and development, to their learning, and to their crafting lives of meaning and distinction.

Reflecting the expertise of our professional staff as well as input from members of the W&M community and our many stakeholders, the Student Affairs 2022-2027 Strategic Plan is designed to address the needs of our students and to empower those who live, learn, and work here to flourish.

Our division consists of four broad, interdependent thematic areas - Campus Living, Health & Wellness, Student Engagement & Leadership, and Student Success. I am particularly grateful for the breadth and depth of talent my colleagues bring to their work every day. Accomplishing our strategic plan goals will have a powerful impact on the student experience at W&M. Together with our Students we will move forward to meet the most pressing needs of our time.

Ginger Ambler '88, PhD '06

Vice President for Student Affairs

Vision

Creating an engaging learning environment where community is strengthened and individuals flourish.

Mission

Through student-centered programs, policies, and services, the Division of Student Affairs supports the academic enterprise and our students by preparing them to learn, engage, and grow with integrity, wellness, and purpose.

Values

Belonging

We create a welcoming and caring community that embraces diverse people and perspectives.

Curiosity

We foster an open academic environment that champions intellectual agility and inspires creativity in the discovery, preservation, application, and advancement of knowledge.

Excellence

We aim for the extraordinary, recognizing that personal growth and meaningful accomplishment require bold and innovative aspirations, courageous risk-taking, and focused effort.

Flourishing

We create conditions that ensure William & Mary will thrive for all time coming, and we empower those who live, learn, and work here to make choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.

Integrity

We are honorable, equitable, trustworthy, and committed to the highest ethical standards in all that we do.

Respect

We treat one another with mutual respect recognizing and upholding each person's inherent dignity and worth.

Service

We engage with individuals and communities both near and far devoting our knowledge, skills, and time to serving the greater good.

Goals

Goal One: Belonging

We will cultivate a welcoming, affirming environment where all members feel connected within the university community, embrace diverse people and perspectives, and express their authentic selves.

Objective A:
- Develop authentic connections between and amongst students, Student Affairs staff, and other members of the university community
Objective B:
- Create environments where all members can freely develop and thrive
Objective C:
- Support the lifelong practice of cultural humility

Goal Two: Communication

We will plan and execute clear communication that advances our mission and educates, informs, and inspires the W&M community.

Objective A:
- Effectively communicate information across the division, university, and community through increased collaboration and technology integration
Objective B:
- Ensure all communication reflects our ethic of care with sensitivity to impact
Objective C:
- Increase the understanding of the work in Student Affairs

Goal Three: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice

We will counteract inequality and injustice thereby affirming the inherent dignity and wellbeing of all in our community.

Objective A:
- Take an equity centered approach to openly address the impacts of power and privilege on individuals and communities at William & Mary
Objective B:
- Integrate restorative practices into our work
Objective C:
- Create a community where uncomfortable meaningful dialogue is valued and practiced

Goal Four: Engagement

We will advance experiential and applied learning opportunities that promote whole-person development

Objective A:
- Amplify and enhance student leadership outcomes
Objective B:
- Leverage campus engagement experiences for whole-person development
Objective C:
- Implement credentialing opportunities for co-curricular development
Objective D:
- Create opportunities for students to learn and practice the skills of democracy and civic engagement

Goal Five: Resources

We will identify data-informed needs and cultivate opportunities and partnerships to pursue the resources necessary to accomplish our mission.

Objective A:
- Assess and evaluate departmental budget and programmatic goals to identify critical needs
Objective B:
- Develop support based upon each departments budget and fundraising goals
Objective C:
- Boldly embrace the story of the impact Student Affairs has across campus to advance funding
Objective D:
- Recruit and retain diverse and talented staff as our most valuable resource

Goal Six: Wellbeing

We will Create a healthy environment that empowers those who live, learn, and work here to flourish.

Objective A:
- Reinforce the paradigm of integrative wellness at the individual and community levels
Objective B:
- Develop relevant and inclusive wellness programs that meet the pressing needs of our students
Objective C:
- Support a work culture that prioritizes wellbeing