10,000+
one-on-one appointments held between resident assistants and their residents.
2025-26
Our Impact
Community and Belonging
Students are more likely to thrive when they feel connected to their peers, the university, and the broader community. Student Life creates opportunities for students to build meaningful relationships, engage with the community, and develop a sense of belonging throughout their Miami experience.
Community and Belonging by the Numbers
31,000+
meals packed during the annual Rise Against Hunger event.
2025
1,200+
students (and 500+ faculty and staff) trained to recognize, report, and respond to students of concern.
2025-26
Community and Belonging in Practice
Speed Friending
The Wellness Studio creates opportunities for students to build meaningful connections and strengthen their sense of belonging at Miami. Through programs such as Speed Friending, students from across campus meet new people, develop friendships, and expand their support networks, helping them feel more connected to the Miami community.
Student Transitions
The transition to college is one of the most significant periods in a student's educational journey. Student Life supports students and families through orientation, transition programs, and ongoing resources that help students successfully navigate their first year and beyond.
Student Transitions by the Numbers
95%
of incoming first-year students took a first year experience course.
Fall 2025
150+
events during the “First 50 Days.”
2025
1,074
incoming students participated in a Miami Bound pre-semester program.
2025
99.7%
orientation participation rate.
2025
Student Transitions in Practice
How Can We Help?
What began as a way to answer questions from incoming students during the housing assignment process has evolved into Student Life's weekly "How Can We Help?" initiative on Instagram. Through question and answer sessions and student-informed content, Student Life answers common questions, connects students with campus resources, and offers guidance on navigating college life. By meeting students where they are, Student Life helps ease transitions and support student success throughout the year.
Academic Support
Student success extends beyond the classroom. Student Life partners with students to provide academic support services, learning resources, and accommodations that help students overcome barriers and achieve their educational goals.
Academic Support by the Numbers
3,928
students affiliated with the Miller Center for Student Disability Services
2025-26
55
courses taught by Division of Student Life staff
2025-26
86.4%
of tutors and Supplemental Instruction leaders identified building student confidence as their greatest impact on students.
2026
7,405
tutoring appointments
2025-26
Academic Support in Practice
Rinella Academy
The Rinella Learning Center extends academic support beyond traditional tutoring through Rinella Academy, a growing collection of digital learning resources developed by Miami students and faculty. Featuring subject-specific content, self-paced learning modules, and student success resources on topics such as time management and study strategies, these tools provide students with flexible, on-demand support whenever and wherever they need it.
Health and Wellness
Student well-being is foundational to learning and success. Student Life provides resources, education, and support that promote physical health, mental well-being, safety, and lifelong wellness practices.
Health and Wellness by the Numbers
12,804
counseling appointments, up 8.1% over last year
2025-26
94%
of students taking UNV 101 agree they are aware of at least one campus resource to support their health and well-being.
2025
61
programs focused on health and wellness offered, with ~7,000 participants
2025-26
Health and Wellness in Practice
I'm Listening
Through the "I'm Listening" initiative, trained student, faculty, and staff volunteers host listening spaces across campus, inviting students to engage in informal conversations about topics ranging from academics and relationships to stress and daily life. By creating visible, low-barrier opportunities for connection, the initiative helps students feel supported, fosters a sense of community, and promotes wellbeing through meaningful human interaction.
Engagement and Leadership
Leadership development and campus involvement are essential components of a transformative college experience. Student Life provides opportunities for students to lead organizations, gain professional experience, and develop skills that prepare them for life after graduation.
Engagement and Leadership by the Numbers
600+
student employees in Student Life
2025-26
30,126
attendees at 111 Miami Activities and Programming events
2025-26
34%
of Miami undergraduates are affiliated with a fraternity or sorority
2025-26
Engagement and Leadership in Practice
Leading Civic Engagement
The Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service empowers students to take active roles in strengthening civic engagement at Miami. Through voter registration initiatives, community partnerships, and campus dialogue programs, students develop leadership skills and learn how to engage thoughtfully and constructively in civic life.
Student Life uses assessment, data, and student feedback to evaluate programs, inform decisions, and continuously improve the student experience.
The Student Life Assessment Committee supports student retention, learning, and success by providing leadership, oversight, and management for departmental and divisional assessment, evaluations, and priorities.
The focus of the Student Life Assessment Committee is on promoting accountability and credibility regarding assessment within the division, enhancing the culture of assessment and evaluation, and improving collaboration and communication with regard to assessment.
Membership
The committee is composed of individuals from every office in the division and a representative from the Office of Strategic Analytics and Institutional Research. The committee is chaired by Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Gwen Fears.
All offices in Student Life are asked to complete an annual assessment plan that includes the long-term goals of programs and educational practices, learning outcomes and strategies to accomplish them, and how these items will be measured, including the methodology and analysis.
The Division of Student Life sees the department review process as an opportunity for the department to engage in a structured assessment of their work, modeled on the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) format. The self-study and five-year action plan are intended for the department to turn a critical eye to their operation and activities and to create a proposed action plan for the next five years. The external review brings in stakeholders and professionals outside of Miami University to give feedback to the department on their self-study and action plan. Feedback will be based on the external team’s evaluation of the departmental self-study and action plan and meetings with a range of departmental stakeholders.
In addition to the combined departmental review report (comprising two parts: a self-study report and an external review report), the department will have a five-year action plan to guide its operation for the future.
More information about departmental reviews is available in the Student Life Canvas site (login required).
- Transition Survey: Survey of all first-year and new transfer students about their academic and social transition to Miami. (September)
- Assessment of Living and Learning (ALL Survey): Survey of all students living in the residence halls about their living experience. (November)
- FYE/UNV 101 Post-Course Survey: Survey of all first-year students who have taken a first-year experience course (December)
- Student Health Survey: Survey of all students at Miami about their health and well-being related attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge. (March)
- Student Orientation Survey: Survey of students and family members who attended orientation. (June)
Contact Us
The Division of Student Life creates transformational opportunities, inclusive environments, and meaningful connections that maximize student growth, learning, and success.
110 Warfield Hall
Oxford, OH 45056
513-529-5526
Directions | Offices and Services
