It has been nearly a year since the division of Student Affairs returned to Farmingdale State College (FSC) with my appointment as the new vice president and, in that short time, the division has been a driving force in shaping a vibrant, student-centered campus experience. Guided by our mantra Reach. Achieve. Matter., our goal is to empower FSC students to thrive through inclusive experiences that foster personal growth, meaningful connections, and lifelong success.
New Student Orientation
From the outset, the division hit the ground running with a comprehensive redesign of New Student Orientation, together with the division of Academic Affairs and the Office of Enrollment Management. Recognizing that students begin their college journey with different experiences and needs, we developed distinct orientation tracks to ensure new students were prepared and confident to begin the first day of class.
For first-time-in college students, the focus was on fostering meaningful engagement with the college community—both inside and outside the classroom—which included a service-learning opportunity. The program was designed to cultivate a strong sense of belonging and reinforce the value of co-curricular involvement, with special attention and support dedicated to our first-generation students. We also offered an orientation program for family members, engaging them as valued partners in their students’ success from the very beginning. For transfer students, the emphasis was on building connections with faculty, ensuring academic alignment, and supporting early integration into their chosen academic programs. For online students, orientation highlighted academic and student support services, reinforcing access, navigation, and connection in a virtual environment. The result was a more intentional onboarding experience aligned with measurable student success outcomes.
Student Success, Support, and Well-Being
Beyond orientation, the division has strengthened campus infrastructure to support student well-being and success. The launch of a new Basic Needs Team reflects a proactive commitment to addressing barriers to academic success, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and financial hardship. In addition to the on-campus food pantry, students can apply for food vouchers to get a hot meal while on campus. They can also request funding to purchase groceries from local stores. The Basic Needs Team case manager helps students identify external resources such as government assistance programs to address more long-term concerns, as well as a student advocate to assist students in maneuvering college processes, including steps to take when unexpected circumstances arise. This unified approach streamlines the process and keeps students moving steadily toward their goals.
Advocacy, Accessibility, and Mental Health
The appointment of a new dean of students further centralized student advocacy, conduct, and crisis response efforts, ensuring students have a clear point of contact for guidance and support. Additionally, the revamped Students of Concern Committee provides a more structured case management framework that enhances early intervention strategies and strengthens the campus safety net to address emerging concerns in a timely fashion. The Disability Services Center and Office of Residence Life have expanded accessibility efforts for residential and commuter students by implementing more accessible outdoor furniture on campus, support for accessible doors and desks, and improved testing facilities for students with approved accommodations.
Complementing these structural enhancements, Student Affairs has continued the Mental Health Speaker Series designed to normalize conversations around mental health. By bringing expert voices to campus, the series underscores the division’s commitment to holistic development, recognizing that mental health is foundational to academic persistence and personal growth. Gaten Matarazzo, an actor and advocate in the Netflix series Stranger Things, came to campus to share his experiences living with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a rare genetic condition that was incorporated into his character on the show.
Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman and Laurie Hernandez joined students, faculty, and staff for an inspiring conversation about resilience, leadership, teamwork, mental health, and overcoming challenges in sports and in life. The event highlighted self-care and perseverance, encouraging students to develop a “gold medal mindset” in all aspects of their lives.
In one short year, the division of Student Affairs has reintegrated both its presence and purpose at Farmingdale State College. Through strategic programming, expanded student support systems, and intentional collaboration, the division is building a culture where students are empowered not only to succeed, but to reach beyond expectations, achieve meaningful milestones, and know that their presence and contributions truly matter.
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