The Bridge

Message from Vice President James R. Kitchen

The new academic year is moving at a fast pace. We’re already into week seven, and people in our division continue working hard, as we did throughout most of the summer. I want to personally welcome all of you who are new to the Division of Student Affairs.

We have, in my opinion, the best staff around. I am especially proud of the contribution we make to SDSU from our administrative team, AVPs, directors, assistant deans, coordinators, support staff and student assistants.

In Student Affairs, our number one goal is to provide quality services and programs to students, as reflected in the heart of our Student Affairs mission:

• To help students to learn and to grow
• To help students to make positive choices
• To help students to reach the ultimate goal of graduation

This year, we welcomed approximately 8,600 new SDSU students to campus who are becoming part of our dynamic and diverse student body and campus community. We saw almost 9,500 people at the New Student and Family Convocation on August 25, and almost 1,500 transfer students attended the second annual Transfer Reception. Our new students depend on you – and your departments and colleges – for valuable services and learning opportunities. We have taken giant steps within the division’s departments to continue to build an infrastructure that supports student success and student growth.

We have focused the work of our division on:

• Access
• Student Learning and Development
• Student Life and Leadership Initiatives
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Collaborations and Partnerships

It is our belief that every student should have access to a university education. In order to do so, we strive to provide greater access to financial resources, supportive student services, and diverse learning opportunities.