In Season 2, Episode 6 of the Innovate and Educate podcast, we explore how institutions can create impactful First-Year experiences that support student success from the very beginning of their college journey. This episode focuses on the importance of designing intentional, high-impact programs that foster belonging, persistence, and holistic student development during this critical transition period.

Join us as Karen Van Norman, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, Omayra Arocho, Assistant Vice President of Student Services and Dean of the Center for Academic Success, and Joshua Dornbos, Associate Dean of the Center for Academic Success, share their perspectives on supporting First-Year students. You’ll hear how campus leaders collaborate across departments, the strategies they use to build proactive support systems, and examples of programs and partnerships that help students navigate the transition to college and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Key topics + time stamps   Series and Episode Introduction [00:00-01:25]  

Karen Van Norman, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students [01:26-7:40] 

• Contact information: karen.vannorman@shu.edu

• Division of Student Services: https://www.shu.edu/student-services/

• CAPS: https://www.shu.edu/counseling-psychological-services/

• THRIVE: https://www.shu.edu/student-services/students-dare-to-care.html

• The Well: https://www.shu.edu/student-services/the-well.html

Omayra Arocho, Assistant Vice President of Student Services and Dean of the Center for Academic Success and Joshua Dornbos, Associate Dean of the Center for Academic Success [07:45-22:50] 

• Contact information: omayra.arocho@shu.edu and Joshua.dornbos@shu.edu

• Center for Academic Success: https://www.shu.edu/center-for-academic-success/

• Transformational Student Experiences: https://www.shu.edu/strategic-plan/priority-1.html

Episode Wrap-up [22:51-23:54] 

Episode Homepage & Contact Info: Website   Email address: tltc@shu.edu