Goal: Provide and promote a transformational, residentially based student experience rooted in Jesuit, Catholic formation.
Objectives
- Create a four-year student formation plan that is grounded in Ignatian spirituality and develops “contemplatives in action,” complementing the curricular plan.
- Create conditions for students to pursue and achieve excellence.
- Foster an inclusive culture of belonging and an open, respectful exchange of ideas and beliefs.
- Adopt and advance a campus master plan to address both living and learning spaces, ensuring that they are welcoming and affirming.
- Ensure that a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy helps advance strategic objectives through compelling storytelling.
Dr. Michele Murray leads the strategy and implementation behind our Transformational Student Experience initiatives. She provides leadership for integrating students’ intellectual, spiritual, and emotional development, delivering excellent services and programs for all students, and translating the College’s vibrant Jesuit Catholic mission for today’s audience.
Since announcing our Aspire plan, we've made significant progress towards 4 key initiatives: promoting student health and wellbeing, fostering an inclusive student culture, building skills for dialogue, and supporting students' spiritual development. Here's some of what we've accomplished:
Mental Health
Implemented Question-Persuade-Refer, mental health first aid training for all incoming students and student leaders. We have completed Year 2 of a four-year process to become a JED-certified campus.
Student Accommodations
Converted space on the 5th Floor of Hogan Campus Center to house a new testing room for students with ADA and other accommodations. The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OAS) oversees the facility.
Orientation
Launched a new 5-day fall orientation program under the theme "Living the Mission" that focuses on personal growth and spiritual formation.
HC Connects
Piloted HC Connects, a series of regional programs to offer meaningful touchpoints for new students and their families prior to move-in day.
Campus Housing
Converted Ciampi Hall to a student living, learning community dedicated to student wellbeing. Opened City View Townhouses for 144 seniors in newly constructed eight-person units.
Dialogue Initiatives
Launched Perspectives, a new online module for incoming students and student leaders. Offered by the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI), Perspectives is an evidence-based, blended learning program that helps students understand the spectrum of human values, learn the neuropsychology of conflict, and develop skills for conversation and problem-solving across differences.
Mission-Driven Programs
Completed a self-study and external review of the Office of Mission. The office is now developing programs for students, faculty and staff that support human flourishing in the Ignatian tradition.
Okanagan Charter
Adopted the Okanagan Charter, designating the College as a Health Promoting Campus and establishing it as a member of the United States Health Promoting Campuses Network (USHPCN).
Town Hall Updates
On October 4, 2023, a Town Hall was held to provide updates from our leadership team on each of the six pillars of our Aspire strategic plan.
Get Involved
If you have a question about Aspire or a suggestion or idea related to one of its aims, we invite you to review the plan and share your thoughts.