Beginning today, July 1, the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Florida is changing its name to the Division of Student Life. Dr. D’Andra Mull, vice president for Student Life, said the new name clearly aligns with the division’s mission to holistically support students “to and through” their college experiences.
The division will adopt the name in several phases, starting with the launch of a new website in mid-July.
“It emphasizes that the work we do is not transactional, but transformational,” Mull said. “It’s easier for students to connect with and reflects the vibrant work our team is doing every day to help students thrive during their time at UF.”
The Division of Student Life comprises more than 25 departments to support students’ holistic well-being and growth. It was recently recognized among the field’s top 30 most promising workplaces in the U.S. for 2021.
Many student-focused divisions, including at other top 10 public schools according to the 2020 News & World Reports, have changed their names. Mull said UF Student Life is evolving to meet student needs moment to moment, from helping them build healthy habits to supporting them through challenges and in crisis.
The change comes after analyses of the field’s best practices, discussions with partners and a listening tour, during which Mull met with deans across the university. Redefining a brand for the division based on its mission to support students has been a key priority since her arrival at UF in 2020, she said.
“The words we use to capture what we do allows our students, parents, future Gators, faculty, staff and administrators to understand not just the content, but the context of who we are and how we enable student success beyond the classroom,” Mull said.
Student Life departments include Career Connections Center; the Counseling and Wellness Center; the Department of Housing and Residence Life; the Dean of Students Office; the Disability Resource Center; the Reitz Union; Multicultural and Diversity Affairs; Student Government Advising, Operations and Services; the Department of Recreational Sports; the David and Wanda Brown Center for Leadership and Service; Student Activities and Involvement; Student Legal Services; GatorWell Health Promotion Services; the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Affairs; Off Campus Life; New Student and Family Programs; and the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program.
Source: D’Andra Mull, dmull@ufsa.ufl.edu