ÁůľĹÉ«ĚĂ

SES Strategic Plan graphic featuring a smiling student looking at the camera

Creating transformative experiences

Student Experience and Support Strategic Plan (2024-27)

Unveiling the Student Experience and Support (SES) Strategic Plan

We're proud to introduce an exciting new chapter for SES, marked by the launch of our revised name, Student Experience and Support, and a comprehensive strategic plan for 2024-27. 

Consultation and engagement from SES staff, students and community partners was a key element in ensuring a plan that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our community. Our commitment to ongoing dialogue and dynamic engagement underpins our strategic approach, ensuring that both the planning and execution phases are inclusive and resonate with all stakeholders.

Aligned with ÁůľĹÉ«ĚĂ forward-thinking vision, Ahead of Tomorrow, the SES strategic plan is uniquely tailored to enhance the key priorities identified in the university’s . It blends ambitious goals with practical strategies, crafted through a broad-based, inclusive approach. 

Join us as we forge a path to transformative experiences for every student at UCalgary, creating an environment where we all thrive together.

Explore the strategic planning framework

This plan was developed over the course of 18 months, with an emphasis on continuous feedback loops and extensive collaboration with staff, students, and campus partners to ensure our strategy is both comprehensive and forward-looking.

Learn more about the process

Students gather to take a selfie.

Strategic Goal 1 | Creating transformative experiences for students 

We will deliver, refine and streamline programs and services that are evidence-based and empowering to create transformative experiences for students. 

Our programs and services will aim to support students’ personal growth, connection to community and culture, academic success, and sense of wellbeing.  

  • Review Student Wellness, Access and Support (SWAS) services, implement recommendations
  • Develop and implement a first-year experience that addresses the diverse needs of new students and connects them to their UCalgary community and the resources that are critical to building a foundation for success
  • Review programs and supports within SES for Indigenous students
  • Review programs and supports within SES for international students
  • Enhance equitable access to student engagement opportunities by developing academic partnerships and options that meaningfully connect holistic programming with students’ classroom experience
A front desk staff member

Strategic Goal 2 | Investing in the success, growth and recognition of our people 

We strategically invest in our teams and each other. We prioritize the professional development, growth, time, and wellbeing of our SES team. 

We recognize this is a shared ongoing commitment as we learn together.  

  • Engage staff in career growth opportunities and effective succession planning through the launch of cross-training initiatives and career development programming for SES. Topics will include mentorship, coaching and sponsorship.
    • Annual Professional Development (PD) Day for all staff and faculty
    • Leadership Curriculum
    • All-Staff Curriculum
  • Develop a process to ensure SES staff can fully utilize their annual vacation time
A student speaking with a counsellor from Student Wellness Services

Strategic Goal 3 | Supporting student wellbeing 

We will deliver, refine and streamline services and develop partnerships across departments to enhance student wellbeing. We will identify and address barriers and/or impediments to experiencing a sense of wellbeing and equitable access to supports. 

We will establish and work within a collaborative community of care in responding to student concerns, and in supporting staff who work to address these concerns. 

  • Steward institutional efforts to identify and address barriers to students’ basic needs, including housing, food, affordability and student wellbeing
    • Implementation of Campus Food Hub
    • Mobilize “Think Tanks” to address critical issues related to students’ basic needs
    • Support implementation of ÁůľĹÉ«ĚĂ housing strategy, guided by housing working group
  • Steward institutional approach to support students in crisis
    • Refine the model to coordinate, assess and respond to students who are demonstrating distressed, disruptive and/or disturbing behaviour
    • Review, develop and enhance education and resources for the campus community
  • In partnership with University Legal Services, initiate an Accommodation Policy review
A staff member helps a student at the front desk of the Faith and Spirituality Centre

Strategic Goal 4 | Achieving operational excellence and sustainability

We will achieve operational excellence and sustainability through continuously improving the delivery of our work, increasing value to those we serve while generating a measurable impact.  

  • Review and align resources to support the highest priorities across SES and the sustainability of our work and our teams 
  • Develop consistent approach across SES for project management and workflow, and implement process improvement tools to help improve coordination and alignment across units
  • Establish committee to identify, analyze and disseminate institutional data and metrics that contribute to our strategic priorities
    • Develop and implement an assessment/evaluation strategy
    • Review and advise on efficacy of surveys, systems and measurement tools
    • Enhance partnerships with the Office of Institutional Analysis (OIA) and the Office of the Registrar to streamline and facilitate access to timely and relevant data
  • Identify opportunities to enhance, collaborate and/or address redundancies related to programs and services across SES and, as applicable, between SES and faculty student services offices

Strategic priority areas

Create transformative experiences for students

Collaborate as a community of care in responding to the wellbeing needs of our students

Demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation and decolonization

Cultivate and nurture a community of belonging, authenticity, inclusion and equitable access

Invest in the professional development and career growth of our people

Commit to operational excellence and sustainability in our work

Guiding values

Respect

We recognize each person’s unique perspectives and needs. We act with integrity, honouring students’ and colleagues’ ideas, beliefs and cultures. 

Compassion

We extend kindness to all students and colleagues, serving as active and empathic listeners and taking action to help others.

Inclusion

We create safe, equitable and accessible spaces on campus where students and colleagues can be their authentic selves. We welcome diverse identities, perspectives, and lived experiences. We engage in learning and educate our community about Indigenous culture, history and relations. We acknowledge and honour the land on which we live, work and learn.

Growth

We remain curious about what we do. We listen to the emerging and changing needs of those we serve. We feel most fulfilled when, along with our students, we are growing as individuals and teams, both personally and professionally.

Meaningful Work

We identify with a sense of purpose in our work. We contribute to a greater good and know that each interaction with a student or colleague is an opportunity to positively impact our workplace and community. 

Collaboration

We do our best work by collaborating and working in partnership with our colleagues and engaging authentically with campus partners, including students.