Core Values
| Compassion | We operate from a place of compassion and demonstrate empathy for the lived experiences of others through our decisions, words, actions, and gestures big and small. |
| Respect | We advocate for community principles of fairness, understanding and respect. |
| Ethics | We see and act through an ever more ethical lens. |
| Visibility | We are visible, available, approachable, and accessible to students, colleagues, and stakeholders. |
| Transformative Empowerment | We are empowered as agents of change to learn, challenge, seek solutions, navigate obstacles, and take action. |
| Driven By Innovation | We strive to innovate in the development of systems, processes, and practices. |
Strategic Pilars and Goals
Montclair State University’s Student Development and Campus Life (SDCL) division is dedicated to fostering student success through a data-informed, student-centered approach that prioritizes belonging, mental health and well-being, holistic wellness, and meeting basic needs. These priorities will guide all programming, outreach, and services within SDCL departments to ensure an equitable, supportive, and thriving student experience on both the Montclair and Bloomfield College campuses.
Pillar #1: Student Success, Well-being and Belonging
SDCL is committed to fostering student success by ensuring all students have access to resources that support their basic needs, mental health, holistic wellness, and sense of belonging.
Strategic Goal #1: Address and Support Students’ Basic Needs
- Expand and increase visibility of Red Hawk Pantry and Rocky’s Closet to ensure students have access to food, clothing, and essential supplies.
- Strengthen and basic needs grant initiatives, including Hunger Free NJ.
- Continued expansion of the Food Champion Program to support students experiencing food insecurity through outreach, meal programs, and partnerships with local organizations.
- Enhance the Red Hawk Fellows Program to provide case-managed, year-round support for emancipated foster care students, ensuring academic and personal success through donor-supported initiatives.
- Conduct a Basic Needs Survey within the student community to identify gaps and improve service delivery.
- Continued growth and student trust through community policing and the utilization of our University Police as educators.
Strategic Goal #2: Promote Holistic Well-Being Across Five Dimensions (Purpose/Career, Social, Financial, Physical, and Community)
- Expand intramural, Club Sports, and NCAA sports, including the integration of Bloomfield College athletics to allow more students to be involved in physical wellness
- Enhance access to mental health resources and behavioral intervention strategies through the newly created Director of CARE Team, which will implement a full case management approach.
Strategic Goal #3: Strengthen Student Belonging and Engagement
- All programming and outreach efforts within SDCL departments will be rooted in student belonging, mental health and well-being, holistic wellness, and basic needs.
- Continued expansion of the Office of Student Belonging to provide dedicated support for:
- First-generation students
- Transfer students
- Military-affiliated students (Yellow Ribbon Campus)
- International students
- Expand orientation programming and family services in Spanish to better serve Spanish-speaking students and families, ensuring accessibility and cultural inclusivity.
- Continued expansion of Commuter Engagement programs, including commuter mentorship initiatives and utilizing data to assist in attracting more commuter students to engagement programming.
- Better integration between Office of Student Belonging, the Center for Student Involvement, the Office of Social Justice and Diversity and the Center for Student Leadership and Engagement (Bloomfield College) to provide a wide-range of programs and services that enhance the student experience.
Strategic Goal #4: Leverage Data for Student Success and Well-Being
- Hire a Director of Data and Assessment for SDCL to lead division-wide assessment and data-driven decision-making.
- Implement a comprehensive student engagement and well-being dashboard to track student needs, retention indicators, and program effectiveness.
- Use real-time predictive analytics to identify and intervene with students facing academic, financial, or personal challenges.
- Ensure data is used to continuously refine and enhance student success programming and outreach strategies.
Pillar #2: Professional Staff Growth and Development
A strong SDCL division is built upon the professional growth, expertise, and engagement of its staff, ensuring they are well-equipped to support students in meaningful ways.
Strategic Goal #1: Elevate Staff Competencies as Student Affairs Practitioners & Functional Area Experts
- Provide ongoing professional development opportunities aligned with student belonging, mental health, well-being, and holistic wellness.
- Expand professional development to strengthen student-centered support and cross-cultural understanding
- Encourage cross-functional collaboration and professional learning communities within SDCL.
Strategic Goal #2: Enhance SDCL Climate, Culture, and Core Values
- Foster a division-wide culture of care, responsiveness, and collaboration.
- Align staff development and training with SDCL’s commitment to holistic student well-being and belonging.
- Utilize data-informed decision-making to assess and improve professional development initiatives and internal climate.
Pillar #3: Collaboration and Institutional Responsiveness
A strong student experience requires collaboration across the university to holistically address student needs and drive institutional excellence.
Strategic Goal #1: Improve Institutional Responsiveness to Student Needs
- Strengthen strategic partnerships with academic affairs, enrollment management, and student success teams to ensure seamless support.
- Align SDCL services with institutional retention and student success goals.
- Utilize data-driven insights to identify high-impact student support strategies and areas for institutional improvement.
Strategic Goal #2: Build and Strengthen Strategic Relationships Across Campus
- Develop targeted collaborations with faculty, advising, and student support services to enhance student engagement and persistence.
- Expand external partnerships and donor outreach to enhance student resources and support initiatives.
- Ensure SDCL’s Director of Data and Assessment plays a critical role in university-wide decision-making, contributing insights to campus-wide retention, student success, and well-being initiatives.