2024 Fall Gathering: Building Relationships that Transcend the Classroom
The Higher Education and Student Development (HESD) program recently brought together faculty and students for an afternoon of community building and fellowship. The event, hosted by Steve Ivester, Dean of Student Engagement, was designed to foster stronger relationships within the HESD program.
As students and faculty mingled in an informal setting, conversations flowed, with discussions ranging from academic interests to personal experiences. The approachable nature of the faculty was evident, as HESD professors Justin Heth, David Setran, Olga Dietlin and Paul Chelsen engaged in authentic conversations with students, meeting them on a personal level. "I feel like a partner in learning," said student Caroline Stetina while reflecting on the event. "The faculty genuinely invests in our growth, both personally and professionally. It's such a rare dynamic."
Faculty members expressed similar sentiments, emphasizing how their relationships with students extend beyond the classroom. HESD program director Dr. Olga Dietlin holds that moments like these, spent in community, are where true connections and transformation occur. By creating an environment where students engage beyond the classroom, Dietlin and the HESD program allow students to connect on a deeper level with their peers in addition to their professors, who transcend the academic setting as mentors and guides. The event was a clear reflection of the program's commitment to holistic education, where relationships are valued as much as academic achievement.
