June, 2021 | Georgia Southern University - Student Affairs E-Newsletter
Student Affairs Connection
Message from the VP- Dr. Shay Little
I hope you are enjoying the summer and finding ways to spend extra time with friends and family. You deserve it! This edition of our division newsletter is dedicated to highlighting the work you have done all year serving students.

The mission statement noted in the introduction above is the new mission statement for the Division of Student Affairs. Thanks to the Strategic Planning & Assessment Committee led by Dr. Urkovia Andrews and Dr. John Banter for leading us and the committee in the development of this important statement. It’s worth a repeat here:

The Division of Student Affairs cultivates an inclusive environment to advance students’ holistic development through intentional learning and transformative engagement.

Last week, division leaders shared IMPACT reports highlighting the ways that each unit supports students and elevates student success. The information in this newsletter is our first attempt to feature a few of the many facts and accomplishments you achieved this past year.

IMPACT.

Dictionary.com says /im-pakt/ is: 
the striking of one thing against the other to drive or press closely or firmly to something to have an impact or effect

During what I consider to be one of the most challenging years in higher education, you have not only made a difference. You produced results. You produced results with meaning, purpose, and intention. That impact is dynamic and inspirational. Take a few minutes to review and savor the accomplishments below. There is a lot to read! You made IMPACT. I am excited to be part of the GS Division of Student Affairs team. As our friend Dr. Seuss said,

You’ll be in your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
Who soar to high heights!

Relish the IMPACT you achieved this year. Go Eagles!
Do Right
Social Marketing Campaign: COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors

● Educational Modules (2,000 + unique users)
● Outreach Requests (209 participants)
● Social Media Campaign (233,766 engagements)
● Mask Postcards (3,000 for faculty and staff, 26,000 for students,1,100 for general use/ Total: 30,100)
● Mental Health Kits (115)
● Caught Ya Doin Right Cards (Fall: 750 / Spring: 1,000 / Total 1,750)
Wings Up, Sleeves Up
Social Marketing Campaign: Vaccine Efficacy/Vaccination Behavior

● Promotional T-shirts (1,928)
● Eagle Dining Chick-fil-A & Starbucks Coupons
● Social Media Campaign (233,766 engagements)
9,623 supported through the CARES Portal.
Health Services has administered 7,500+ COVID Vaccines.
Health Services has lead the medical response to COVID and supported the university's mission for students.

University Housing
6,041 Meals Delivered
1,284 Students Supported
1,142 Minutes Of Covid Calls On Staff Cell Phones
1,852 Covid Related Texts Sent
The Student Accessibility Resource Center provided 169 alternate education arrangements in Fall 2020 and 142 alternate education arrangements in Spring 2021.

Russell Union remained open on campus, with adjusted hours. Additionally, ballrooms were modified into classroom spaces to help the university adhere to social distancing guidelines.
We've created a partnership with The Jed Foundation (JED) to help create a long-term strategic plan while implementing immediate actions and programs to support student mental health on campus. The aim of JED Campus is to ensure that schools have comprehensive systems in place in order to prioritize student mental health and create positive systemic change in the campus community. JED provides a comprehensive public health approach in promoting emotional well-being and preventing suicide and serious substance abuse.
The Nationwide percentage saw a decline of 25% in access to mental health services.
Our Counseling Center saw a 26% increase in students accessing counseling center services.
$48,000 award in grant funding for the following programs: SASSI, EMDR, QPR, and HERO Folder
Eagle Engage is a pilot program that was launched at Georgia Southern in November 2020.
Purpose: Online portal designed to develop community amongst students. A place to find and connect with student organizations, learn about campus events, log service hours, and grow skills/knowledge. 
Report Analytics
  • 3,651 Attendees
  • 104 Events
  • 800 events were attended via Zoom
  • Course load reports 24.1% of students carried 15 credit hours
  • 40.3% of students had a GPA between 3.5-4.0
  • 68% of students were on the Statesboro Campus
  • 30.5% of students were on the Armstrong Campus
  • 22 Students were on the Liberty Campus**
36,617 Clinic & Department Encounters

4,924Unique Patients & Client
51 Total Recipients

$29,185.41: Total Amount Funded

$33,517.30: Total Amount Raised Since July 2020
282 Program Events

4,305 People Trained on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Related Education

300 Active Participants in Mentoring Programs with a 2.9 GPA

25,032 Interactions (Not Including "Do Right" Postcards or Vaccine Promotions)

Student respondents who participate in programs developed through the Wellness Curriculum will report positive behavior intentions for healthy behavior change.

  • FY20: 75% of student respondents reported positive behavior intention for health behavior change

  • FY21: 91% of student respondents reported positive behavior intention for health behavior change


8,888 Total Student Participants

141 Total Programs

30,000 Virtual Participants

284 Active Student Organizations

17 New Student Organizations

97.36% of clients stated that the services at the counseling center helped them be successful in college.
Students who receive services at the Counseling Center will experience symptom remission/improvement at a rate that is equivalent to the mean rate of change for Counseling Center clients nationwide.

1,191 Incident Reports
(Down 11% from FY2020)

New Sanctioning Model Focuses on:
  • Personal Growth
  • Student Development
  • Education

87.4% of Students (FY2020) in the University Housing Annual Satisfaction Survey indicated they were Satisfied/Very Satisfied with their overall residential experience.

10,548 Total Attendees of Residential Curriculum Model Programs

85% Persistence Rate

89% Good Academic Standing Actuals

Fall 2020
291 Students with Psychological Disabilities Treated

Spring 2021
237 Students with Psychological Disabilities Treated
Professional Development Workshop Series
Summer 2021 Professionals Track (Grad students are welcome to attend if space is available)

  • 6/13, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. IN-PERSON on the Armstrong campus (available via Zoom for Statesboro campus) : Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with Ryan Moguel from the Office of Multicultural Affairs (Register HERE)
1.7 Million Student Touchpoints via Newsletter
The George-Anne Media Group won eight awards in the annual Georgia College Press Association, recognizing work from 2020.

Best Column writing
Group 1
1st place, Andy Cole
Group 2
1st place, Morgan Carr
Best sports photo
Group 2
2nd place, Isis Mayfield
Best feature story
Group 1
1st place, Celeste Chapman
Group 2
1st place, Olivia Craft
2nd place, Noelle Walker
Best investigative reporting
Group 1
1st place, Andy Cole

The George-Anne Statesboro Edition also received the third-place award for Best Campus Community Service-News, based on a sampling of editions of the print newspaper.

Handshake was implemented in June 2020.

5,838 active employers in FY21 via Handshake provided to students and alumni
  • (This is a 4-fold increase over our previous platform.)
21,090 job opportunities that students and alumni have access to (full-time and part-time).
6,877 experiential learning opportunities (co-ops, internships, fellowships and volunteer) via Handshake. 
  • This is a 10-fold increase over our previous platform.  
9,202 student and alumni interactions logged in Handshake during FY21 for appointments and resume critiques  
25% of Georgia Southern students registered since go-live date 

221,074 Total Participants in 2020-2021
The Georgia Southern University Golf Course saw an increase in revenue in FY21, up to $1,070,000.
119 Students Served at Food Pantries

Behavior Assessment Team (BAT)
55 Students Supported by collaboration between the Dean of Students Office, Residence Life, Provost Office, Counseling Center, SARC, and Public Safety.
Southern Leaders was voted 2021 Outstanding Leadership Program of the Year by the NASPA Student Leadership Programs Knowledge Community.
4,600+ Students Engaged in Programs for 2020-2021

8,291 Hours of Leadership Development for Students involved with OLCE Programs.

35,758 Service Hours Completed by GS Students, With a Volunteer Impact Total of $1,020,533.32

13% of Georgia Southern students are members of the FSL Community.
987 New Members (2020-2021)
$83,000+ Raised in Two Weeks for the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Park
85% Persistence Rate in Program

90% Good Academic Standing Actuals
Incorporated the Armstrong Student Union into the division.

374,713 Total Visitors (not including breaks)
Staff Council Division Representatives
Leigh Johnson- Coordinator: Fitness & Wellness, Campus Recreation & Intramurals
Catherine “Cat” Bishop- Assistant Director, Office of Student Activities
Jodi Kennedy- Director, Office of Leadership & Community Engagement
Ben Wicker- Associate Director of Residence Education, University Housing
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