STUDENT AFFAIRS ANNUAL REPORT (2025-2026) 37 Community Service & Civic Engagement: The Community Service & Civic Engagement Program empowers students to become informed, respectful, and active members of their communities. Through volunteerism, service-learning opportunities, civic dialogue, and community partnerships, the program fosters civic responsibility, cultural understanding, and meaningful community involvement. Grounded in values that connect learning with action, the program helps students build relationships, develop leadership skills, and grow as engaged, compassionate citizens. By encouraging meaningful engagement both on and off campus, the program strengthens students and the communities they serve. Counseling Services: Counseling Services supports student success by helping students address personal challenges that may interfere with their academic achievement, well-being, and overall development. Through individual counseling, consultation, outreach, and educational programming, Counseling Services assists students in developing the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to achieve their personal and educational goals. The office also serves as a resource for faculty and staff seeking guidance on supporting students in distress. Dean of Students Office: The Dean of Students Office provides leadership, coordination, and strategic direction for the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (2025-30). The office oversees programs and services that promote student success, engagement, leadership, well-being, belonging, safety, compliance, health, personal development, onboarding, and civic engagement. In partnership with Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, and other campus stakeholders, the Dean of Students Office advances student retention, persistence, and degree attainment while fostering a vibrant, supportive learning environment where all students can thrive. Dining Services: Operated by Sodexo, Dining Services provides high-quality food, convenient dining options, and exceptional service to support the Northern community. The department manages the Wolves Den, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and the Grid Market, featuring the Created with Love concept and Just Baked offerings in Great Plains East. In addition, Dining Services oversees campus catering and concession operations, helping create welcoming spaces where students can connect, recharge, and thrive. New Student Programs: New Student Programs include HOWL (Helping Our Wolves Learn) New Student Orientation and Wolf Pack Welcome, Northern's transition programs for new students. These important yield and retention initiatives help students successfully navigate the transition to college, connect with the campus community, and experience a strong start to their Northern journey. HOWL and Wolf Pack Welcome are collaborative, campuswide efforts that support enrollment goals while promoting student success, engagement, belonging, and retention. Northern State Welcome Desk: The Northern State Welcome Desk serves as a central point of contact for students, faculty, staff, and visitors by providing information, assistance, and a welcoming first impression of the university. Managed by Residence Life and located in the Student Center, the Welcome Desk answers the university's main phone line, assists campus guests, checks out equipment, and supports the daily operations of the facility. Through friendly service and knowledgeable staff, the Welcome Desk helps connect individuals with the resources and services they need to succeed at Northern. Residence Life: Residence Life is committed to providing a positive housing and dining experience by serving, developing, and supporting students in their educational pursuits while fostering an engaging, safe, and inclusive living-learning environment. The department manages approximately 685 beds across six residence halls, offering both traditional and suite-style housing options. With three residence halls constructed within the last decade, Residence Life helps students build community, develop personal responsibility, and create meaningful connections that contribute to their success at Northern.
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