Student Affairs

This year, the Division benefited from the generosity of donors who contributed $1.7 million in annual giving to enrich and elevate the 4-Dimensional Experience for students. These contributions provided direct student support, including scholarships, supplemental award funding for collegiate and career opportunities and learning, and critical aid for students facing urgent and unforeseen challenges. Through this philanthropic investment, Student Affairs removed barriers to access, expanded opportunities for engagement so that students could thrive academically, personally, professionally, and with a deep sense of well-being, the foundation of DU’s 4D Experience.

• Student Affairs strengthened campus partnerships and philanthropic engagement through a highly successful 1DAY4DU campaign that raised $75,540 marking 2,086% from last year.
• The DU Food Pantry (DUFP) established strategic external partnerships with the Food Bank of the Rockies and became a recognized Hunger Relief Partner. Additionally, a collaboration with DU Dining provided fresh produce through donations and purchases, while a joint effort with DU Advancement through the Zoo Lights campaign raised $10,000 and collected 250+ canned goods, directly supporting students experiencing food insecurity.
• This year also marked a milestone in a three-year Coalition of Colorado Campus Alcohol and Drug Educators (CADE) grant partnership through Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA). The CADE grant provided $7,500 in operational support, funded the administration of the American College Health Association – National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) – and enabled professional development opportunities for staff, which strengthened the ability to evaluate and scale prevention efforts.
• Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) demonstrated extraordinary philanthropic leadership, with chapters raising at least $122,100 for charitable causes, which represents a 263% increase over the prior year. This growth reflects both improved chapter reporting and a renewed commitment to member development and community impact.

Collectively, these efforts highlight Student Affairs’ commitment to innovative partnerships, expanded philanthropic engagement, and a culture of giving, ensuring that students have access to essential resources and opportunities that support their success and well-being.

BUILDING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND A SENSE OF BELONGING

In FY25, Student Affairs employed 577 students in meaningful on-campus roles that strengthened leadership, communication, time management, and problem-solving skills, which are all 4D competencies identified as critical to long-term career success by National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE, 2024). These roles, along with peer mentorship and peer education programs, played a vital role in supporting persistence and belonging.

• 4D Peer Mentor Program – Consistently ranked the most valuable aspect of orientation, the program paired 97 trained mentors with new students to guide academic and social transitions. Interest surged, with 175 mentor applications, and mentor responsibilities expanded to include facilitating Discoveries Dialogues and supporting major campus events.

• Gallup Study Findings – A preliminary Gallup survey of 4D Peer Mentors revealed stronger alignment with national benchmarks in personal growth and leadership development.
• Peer Educators demonstrated excellence in content delivery and public speaking, building trust and engagement through shared experiences.

Events, such as Quarterly 4D Purpose Dinners, helped connect undergraduate and graduate students with faculty and staff hosts who share their story, speak about their purpose, and provide mentorship and networking. These efforts not only advance the 4D Experience while at DU, but also equip students with the skills necessary to excel in careers post-graduation.

RESIDENTIAL LIVING

Students who live in University housing report a strong sense of belonging (80%) and achieve higher retention rates (89%) compared to their off-campus peers (84%). This data underscores the powerful role a connected residential experience plays in fostering persistence and holistic student development.

Looking ahead, Student Affairs will advance strategic plans to renovate and modernize the on-campus apartment inventory to create appealing living options that attract and retain upper-division and graduate students while strengthening the overall residential experience.

FRATERNITY AND SORORITY LIFE (FSL)

In the past year, the Fraternity and Sorority Life community grew membership by ~10%, from 1,025 to 1,127 members. The addition of Triangle Fraternity, with its unique focus on STEM majors, further expanded opportunities for student involvement.

FSL members demonstrated a retention rate above 90%, approximately 3% higher than the overall undergraduate population. Survey results highlight that FSL participants report (Gallup, 2025):

• A stronger sense of belonging
• Greater preparation for life after college
• Higher personal life satisfaction
• Increased likelihood of recommending DU

FSL leaders also set and reflect on annual goals aligned with the FORGE points of emphasis, considering what worked, where they struggled, and how they adapted to achieve outcomes.

RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE

Student Affairs continued to optimize the residential experience, achieving near-record levels of student success despite shifts in institutional enrollment. Occupancy remained strong at 85–88%, housing 2,590 students by year-end.

Key achievements included:

• Increased housing options by 7% for upper-division students and 12% for graduate students.
• Added wellness-centered spaces within residential communities, including a second Oasis Space in Centennial Halls and a new Wellness Space in Centennial Towers.
• Standardized key features across units to improve equity and consistency.
• Adapted space allocations to meet student needs thus offering first-year double rooms as single-room options for second-, third-, and fourth-year students in Hilltop, Johnson-McFarlane, and Centennial Towers.
• Enhancements included the JMAC kitchen renovation & Halls & Towers lounge and lobby refreshes, Lynn Marie renovation, Summit flooring, Nelson Bike room and Towers Bike corral installation, and a Nelson card reader installation!
• Implemented a new student staffing model aligned with national best practices to enhance support and leadership development for student staff.
• Developed a comprehensive housing plan to guide future acquisitions and renovations.

THE COMMUNITY COMMONS

The Community Commons is DU’s central hub for student engagement, housing 18 academic and co-curricular departments across 6 suites and 4 lounges that deliver vital academic and social support. In FY25, these spaces fueled connection and collaboration, hosting 1,338 meetings and 385 tabling events that brought students, faculty, and partners together for advising, workshops, and community-building initiatives.

DU DINING BY SODEXO

Housed within the Community Commons, DU Dining advanced the student dining experience and addressed food insecurity on campus.

• Meal plan participation rose to 62%, a 3.3% increase (Industry average is 55%).
• Student satisfaction in dining this year was 3.7/5 in the fall, and 3.6/5 in the spring.
• Students rated dining staff friendliness at 4.6/5 and atmosphere/ambiance at 3.9/5, while noting that variety of food choices (3.5/5) remains an area for growth.

Student Affairs amplified the University of Denver’s national profile, driving bold conversations on student success and well-being through dynamic thought leadership and national recognition. 

Thought Leaders

Student Affairs propelled DU’s profile forward, showcasing our innovative approaches through thought leadership and strategic engagement on campus and abroad.

• The Chancellor’s Office invited the Associate Dean of Students to join a featured episode of Myfootpath’s Entrepreneurial Universities Interview Series, spotlighting DU’s innovative approaches to supporting underrepresented and first-generation students (watch the full episode).
• The 4D Executive Director, in collaboration with colleagues from Bucknell University and the University of Florida, was invited to co-lead a national learning circle focused on institutional culture change. This learning circle is currently ongoing and comprises representatives from a range of institutions including Tufts University, Georgetown University, and the University of Virginia.
• The Dean of Students co-designed and facilitated opening/closing sessions for the Provost Conference on Universal Design for Learning, serving on the planning committee with faculty, staff, students, and administrators.
• The Neurodiversity institute again brought together campus in partnerships with Collegiate Recovery, Athletics, Engineering, DU Law, and FIRST@DU.
• Student Affairs hosted the National Hazing Prevention Institute, which brought 75+ professionals from across the country to DU’s campus. This two-day event fostered multi-disciplinary engagement and reinforced DU’s commitment to creating a safe and healthy environment for all students.

The division held 10 Sessions at the 2025 4D Symposium – Journeys in Character. Student Affairs staff were awarded a 4D infusion grant: Building Character with Fraternity Life at the University of Denver to support harm reduction efforts.

Student Affairs staff also presented at major industry conferences, while not an exhaustive list, examples include:

• The Assessment Institute (formerly IUPUI): Developing Student Partnerships with Satisfaction Data. Presenter: Melanie Kasparian
• The Association for Student Conduct Administrators Region 3 Speaker Series: Discussing student conduct office's Programming and Engagement on University campuses. Presenter: Olivia Feldkamp
• ACUI Region IV Conference and Annual Conference: Student Supervision: From Evaluation to Reflection. Presenters: Beth Goad and Brian Schreckinger
• NASPA Conference on Student Success in Higher Education. The Student Voice: Engagement Preferences, Technology Expectations, and Supporting Their Success. Presenter: Sam Anderson-Lehman
• The LearningWell National Conference Leaders' Meeting (formerly Coalition for Transformational Education). Ignite Talks. Presenter: Laura Perille

Recognition

In July 2024, DU was admitted to the LearningWell Coalition, a national network of institutions committed to learner-centered education that promotes lifelong well-being and engagement. The Coalition recognized DU’s innovative approach to transformational education, citing its potential to raise national standards. As a member, DU has benefited from shared assessment and collaboration, including a partnership with Gallup. 4D leaders were invited to present at the Coalition’s annual conference and participate in its leadership meeting in Chicago, further amplifying DU’s voice in shaping the future of higher education.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education recognized DU for the following:

• Designated DU as a First Generation-Serving Institution, recognizing our commitment to access, support, and success for first generation students. This distinction, paired with rising first-gen enrollment and strong outcomes, positions DU as a statewide leader in first-gen equity and inclusion. DU’s leadership in first-generation advocacy continued to gain national recognition through active participation in First Gen Forward, Princeton’s FGLI Consortium, and Rowan University’s First-Gen Symposium.
• A widely shared blog post written by Angela K. VanDijk, Senior Director of FIRST@DU, showcased DU’s work in the area of first-generation advocacy, and an article authored by members of the FIRST@DU team is set to be published in the Journal of First-Generation Student Success later this year. This further highlights DU’s reputation as a champion for first-generation students and their success.
• DU received the Healthy Minds Campus Designation, recognizing the University’s holistic, proactive approach to supporting the mental health and success of its students.
• The University celebrated Austin Gane, a DU employee and certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor, named Colorado Instructor of the Year by the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council.
• Student Rights and Responsibilities received the Global Accessibility Awareness Day Award for Accessible & Inclusive Department for recognition of their extensive work to make the process more accessible.

These recognitions reflect DU’s leadership and sustained impact in advancing mental health education, belonging, student experience, and educational transformation and highlights how Student Affairs is driving change on campus and influencing national standards.