Home From the Start

The data is consistent: The deeper college students immerse themselves in life on campus, the higher their chance of a smooth journey to graduation and a walk across the platform (and into the “real world”) with diploma in hand. It’s no surprise, then, that Rutgers–Camden’s Division of Student Affairs is committed to ensuring students truly feel at home from the moment they set foot on campus.

“Whether a student lives on campus or commutes here, if we don’t meet them where they are and help them get involved, we’re missing the mark,” said Allison Wisniewski, who serves as Rutgers–Camden’s campus dean of students, executive director of student life, and Title IX coordinator; she has worked on campus since 1997. “More than four decades of research supports that engagement outside the classroom is a true marker for increased retention and graduation rates. It also helps our students become better people overall, and their holistic development is enhanced by being involved.”

Vice Chancellor Mary Beth Daisey, who oversees all student-affairs programming and nearly 70 full-time employees (along with a total workforce of more than 120, including student workers and part-time coaches within the 15 departments) champions the same approach.

“We want our students to feel at home, and also to be comfortable asking different campus offices for help and connecting with their peers as soon as they can,” Daisey said. “All our students balance multiple priorities while they are here; some have families, some have jobs, and they all have school work.

“The tenacity and work ethic of our students is so inspiring—both our student leaders, who have ideas they want to implement to improve this community, and the students who struggle during their journey here. Struggle is a part of life, and it can be a life lesson you carry with you forever. Our students work hard and really care about their fellow students and want to make things better for the students who will follow them here.”