Mission, Vision and Values

Mission Statement

Student Affairs at the University of Tampa educates, supports and empowers students through holistic, experiential and diverse learning opportunities that developÌýSpartan ReadyÂ®Ìýcompetencies, preparing students to contribute to a global society.

Vision Statement

Student Affairs at the University of Tampa will be known for its innovative professionals and dynamic Spartan Ready culture that engages every student and results in their sense of belonging, student success, well-being and life transformation.

Student Affairs

Core Values

Engage in teamwork that contributes to a common purpose.
Cultivate an atmosphere of celebration for individual and group success.
Initiate cross-campus partnerships and participation in external groups to enhance programming and services.

Develop an environment that is responsive to the communityâ€™s interests and needs.
Foster a sense of belonging where all can authentically build community and grow.
Foster a sense of shared responsibility for each other, the environment and the ÂÌÅ«Ìì»¨°åampa community.
Actively participate in the campus and community by serving on committees, volunteering to assist with student programs, and attending events when aligned with responsibilities or interests.
Promote opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to engage in civic and community activities locally, nationally and global

Demonstrate continuous development of knowledge and focus on innovation.
Develop self-awareness and commit to continued learning.
Be known as reliable, problem-solving, adaptable and emotionally intelligent.
Strive to enhance contributions in meetings, communications and programming.
Approach conflict as solution-oriented, with mutual respect, kindness and understanding.
Exemplify integrity, accountability and ethical practice.

Develop student programs and services utilizing Spartan ReadyÂ® as a framework for learning.
Solicit and consider student needs when making decisions and planning programs.
Promote and provide experiential activities that support and enhance the academic curriculum.
Empower students to be involved and have ownership of programming and co-curricular activities.

Strategic Focus Areas

Data-Informed Practice

Enhance service and learning experience outcomes byÌýprioritizing research and assessment.

Sense Of Belonging

Foster a community of care where everyone feels included andÌýconnected.

Overall Well-Being

Provide education, resources and support to promote studentÌýand community wellness, with a focus on mental health andÌýresiliency.

Professional Staff Development

Cultivate a growth culture that attracts, empowers andÌýchallenges student affairs professionals to develop andÌýflourish in their career path.

Retention And Persistence

Drive student progression through co-curricular engagementÌýand collaborative partnerships that infuse high-impactÌýqualities into student experiences.

Spartan ReadyÂ® Culture

Create a culture where learning experiences are designed toÌýdevelop Spartan ReadyÂ®Ìýcompetencies.

Student Affairs Inititatives

The Student Affairs Strategic Planning and Assessment Team coordinates two division-wide programs per year to engage the entire division in the strategic planning process. Past programs include:

July 2026 Advance, facilitated by (The Emerging Adult in the Age of AI and Social Media: Implications for Student Affairs)
January 2026 Advance, facilitated by Student Affairs Staff (Sense of Belonging)
July 2025 Advance, facilitated by Student Affairs Staff (Spartan ReadyÂ® Competencies)
January 2025 Advance, facilitated by Student Affairs Staff (Overall Well-being and ÂÌÅ«Ìì»¨°åampa Cares)
July 2024 Advance, facilitated by (Paradigm Twist)
January 2024 Advance, facilitated by the Student Affairs Strategic Planning Assessment Team (Data-Informed Practices in Student Affairs)
July 2023 Advance, facilitated by Student Affairs Professional Development Committee (Finding Home at ÂÌÅ«Ìì»¨°å: Keys to Student Retention, Persistence, and Completion)
January 2023 Advance, facilitated by the Student Affairs Strategic Planning Assessment Team and Professional Development Committee (Revisiting the Student Affairs Mission, Vision, Focus Areas and Values)
July 2022 Advance, facilitated by Lamar Hylton (Sustainable Careers in Student Affairs)
January 2022 Advance, facilitated by (The Future of Higher Education)
July 2021 Advance, facilitated by the Student Affairs Senior Leadership Team and Strategic Planning and Assessment Team (Reflect, Refocus and Reset)
January 2020 Advance, facilitated by Kristen Walker Donnelly (Competency Development, Spartan Ready)
July 2019 Advance, facilitated by Eric Freundt (Inquiry and Experiential Education)
January 2019 Advance, facilitated by Jillian Kinzie (High Impact Practices)
July 2018 Advance, facilitated by Monnie Wertz and Mark Colvenbach (Generation Z)
January 2018 Advance, facilitated by (Toward Thriving: Applying the Science that Works. Focus on positive psychology)
July 2017 Advance, facilitated by the Strategic Planning and Assessment Team (Essentialism)
January 2017 Advance, facilitated by Alex Desiderio (change and priority management)
July 2016 Advance, facilitated by Paul Grossberg, MD (motivational interviewing)
January 2016 Advance, facilitated by Emma Pettit (focus on diversity and inclusion)
July 2015 Advance, facilitated by Angela Lauer Chong (focus on legal issues in higher education)
January 2015 Advance, facilitated by Lua Hancock (focus on collaborative partnerships)
June 2014 Advance, facilitated by Kathy Guthrie (focus on living and working wholeheartedly in higher education)
January 2014 Advance, facilitated by Susan Komives (focus on student learning outcomes)
May 2013 Advance, facilitated by Tom Miller, interim vice president of Student Affairs and associate professor, College of Education, the University of South Florida (focus on retention and persistence) and David Stern, Provost, ÂÌÅ«Ìì»¨°å (focus on collaboration between academic and student affairs)
January 2013 Advance, facilitated by Teri Bump (focus on likeability and career trajectory)
May 2012 Advance, facilitated by Michael Weeks, (focus on systems thinking)
Winter 2011 Staff Planning Day, facilitated by the Student Affairs Strategic Planning Committee, (focus on mission statement development)
July 2011 Advance, facilitated by Timothy McMahon, Ph.D. (focus on organizational change and diversity)

TheÌýLinda W. Devine, Ph.D., Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Award, originally established in 1989 as the Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Award, recognizes a University faculty or staff member who has made a significant contribution to life outside the classroom. The recipient must be employed at ÂÌÅ«Ìì»¨°åampa for at least five years and be selected by the prior recipients. Those currently serving in Student Affairs are not eligible for the award. The recipients will be announced at the annual Leadership Awards Night Ceremony, and their names will be displayed on a plaque that is mounted in the Plant Hall lobby. The recipient will receive a $500 check from an endowment created by Devine and her family. The recipient will be part of the commencement platform party at the spring commencement and will be announced from the platform.

Ìý

In 2018, the award was renamed the Linda W. Devine, Ph.D., Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Award. Devine is a long-time member of the ÂÌÅ«Ìì»¨°åampa community who believes strongly in the value of the co-curriculum and integration of campus resources to develop the whole person. Recipients of the award share this vision and will have significantly contributed to this fusion in a systemic and positive way, laser-focused on the student and complimenting curricular work.

Ìý

Linda W. Devine Ph.D., Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Recipients

2025-2026 - Paul Greenwood
2024-2025 - Larry Marfise
2023-2024 - Erin Setelius
2022-2023 - Eric Freundt
2021-2022 - Mary Anderson
2020-2021 - Cheri Etling-Paulsen
2019-2020 - Paul Finocchiaro
2018-2019 - Susannah LeMarquand
2017-2018 - Kristen Foltz

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