Learn more about BEAM

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

Following President Rob’s messageannouncing the formation of the Division of Belonging, Engagement and Mission, we would like to share more about this new structure and what it means for you.

BEAM brings together the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity, uniting them as one to further strengthen our institutional commitment to student success, belonging, and our Catholic, Vincentian mission.
 
The Division of Belonging, Engagement and Mission exists to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and connected to purpose. In close collaboration with Mission & Ministry, we are bringing the Thriving Framework to life. This framework serves as a compass to guide decisions and as a tool for actualizing our mission in support of student, faculty, and staff thriving. Both divisions remain committed to stewarding the mission and creating a culture where belonging and human dignity are central.
 
Our new division is on a journey and continues to evolve to ensure a seamless transition. With that in mind, we are grateful for the collective work, feedback and engagement from students, staff and faculty that have helped shape it. We are excited to share the next phase of our work. Below is an explanation of our new structure. 

Office of Institutional Equity and Thriving
 
In our new model, OIDE is integrating with units that have long enabled engagement, identity-affirming support, and mission-centered development. While BEAM is intentionally student-focused, support for faculty and staff will continue and expand through a newly formed unit, the Office of Institutional Equity and Thriving. The office is responsible for the BUILD program, Human Dignity and Bias Response Team, DePaul Belonging Collective, and more initiatives at the heart of our diversity, equity and thriving work integral to our mission.

Aligning structures with Thriving Framework

BEAM is organized into three focus areas: Student Success and Thriving, Student Wellbeing, and Campus Life. Consolidating expertise in student development, diversity education, identity-affirming support, and equity-minded policy allows the university to more effectively evaluate campus climate, address barriers to success, and implement coordinated strategies that reflect our Vincentian values. This work has led to several departmental changes within our new division.

Center for Student Success & Thriving

Academic Continuity and Engagement, the Office of Multicultural Student Success, and the Cultural & Resource Centers will come together as the Center for Student Success & Thriving. Bringing these areas together will enhance student success by fostering community and meaningful connection along with strategic interventions of support and expanded engagement opportunities. These areas will maintain their individual names.

Center for Counseling & Wellness

University Counseling and Psychological Services and the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness are merging to form the Center for Counseling and Wellness, offering integrated mental health, wellness, and advocacy resources.

Student Centers & Event Services

Student Centers has rebranded to Student Centers and Event Services to more clearly reflect the depth of support provided to the university community.

Thriving Circles

The Thriving Framework represents one way in which we seek to operationalize the university’s mission ensuring purposeful and sustainable efforts that create equitable opportunities, holistic support, and a culture rooted in Catholic, Vincentian values, where all are empowered to succeed and flourish.

As part of an intentional strategy for rooting our mission, framework and cultivating effective cross-functional collaboration in areas of shared responsibility, we are launching Thriving Circles in three key areas: Vincentian Mission & Formation, Thriving & Student Success, Community Care & Dialogue. Each circle is co-led by leaders in BEAM and the Division of Mission and Ministry and will have university wide engagement to maximize collective expertise.
 
Through a cross-functional working group, we are in the process of developing thriving metrics that will help establish transparent accountability to advance the university’s mission and equity-centered goals.
 
Moving Forward

Further work is underway to strengthen faculty and staff belonging, including improved support through more connected service areas and expanded retention-focused initiatives.

As this transition moves forward, we will continue engaging our community and updating university webpages to reflect the new structure, department names, and available resources. We look forward to working together as we implement this exciting and mission-driven transformation. Thank you for your continued engagement and commitment to our shared purpose.


In community,

Dania Matos
Senior Vice President for Belonging, Engagement, and Mission

Kimberlie Goldsberry
Vice President of Belonging, Engagement, and Mission