Presenters at the Student Success Summit pose for a photo. (Jacob Nunez/DePaul University Athletics)
President Rob Manuel listens to student success speakers. (Jacob Nunez/DePaul University Athletics)
Dr. Monica Hall-Porter shares success strategies with DePaul faculty. (Jacob Nunez/DePaul University Athletics)
Jay Baglia and Elissa Foster talk about the value of time-management in education. (Keeton Holder/DePaul University)
Afternoon presenters pose for a photo. (Keeton Holder/DePaul University)
Brenda Williams informs DePaul faculty about continuing student success. (Keeton Holder/DePaul University)
Faculty hear about upcoming student success strategies. (Jacob Nunez/DePaul University Athletics)
On Dec. 3, the inaugural DePaul Student Success Summit took place at the Lincoln Park Student Center. The event brought together more than 300 faculty and staff from across the university to share best practices, draw inspiration from one another and engage in forward-thinking discussions on how to drive student success.
The event featured a welcome from university leaders, breakout sessions and a keynote speech from Monica Hall-Porter, associate professor of biology and director of the Texas Interdisciplinary Plan Scholars Program at the University of Texas-Austin.
Here are five key takeaways from the Student Success Summit:
- Times are changing, but DePaul’s mission will not.
We always need to be prepared for change, but the goal at DePaul remains the same: prepare students for success in a dynamic and increasingly complex global landscape.
President Rob Manuel encouraged those gathered to find ways to support each other as DePaul navigates these shifts and the university community adapts to help students succeed.
- Maintain a constant dialogue with students.
Regular check-ins and prompt, empathetic responses ensure that students feel heard and empowered, helping them navigate their time at DePaul and future career paths with confidence.
Darryl Arrington, associate vice president for student retention and success, presented on plans to put these aspirations into action through One DePaul and other initiatives.
- Student success is everyone’s job.
No matter what role you have at DePaul, everyone plays a vital role in supporting students' academic, personal and professional growth. Each interaction contributes to fostering an environment where students feel valued, supported and motivated to succeed.
In her keynote, Hall-Porter emphasized the importance of relationship-building in student success and offering guidance at every stage of a student’s journey.
- There is no one definition of student success.
Success is different for each student, but it is ultimately about helping students discover their potential and create a fulfilling and purposeful future on their own terms.
- Become a Career Champion.
The Career Center has a Career Champions Program, designed for faculty and staff who are passionate about helping DePaul students develop the skills and experiences necessary for career success.
Brenda Williams, managing director of the Career Center & Office of Student Employment, encourages faculty and staff to get involved by encouraging students to begin career exploration early, sharing career opportunities and fostering connections between students and potential employers.
Next up: there will be a series of virtual sessions focused on specific themes and topics related to student success. The upcoming sessions will take place in the winter and spring quarters. More information will be shared when available.