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STUDENT AFFAIRS ANNUAL REPORT

2016–2017

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98% of 2016 grads

are employed or in grad school

763 experiential learning experiences completed in 2016–2017

More than 1,820 students participated in student-run clubs.

156 international, missionary and third culture students on campus

2,010 students and

employees served in local Plunge Days

of service

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TABLE of CONTENTS

A Message from the Vice Provost/Dean of Students

page 4

Department Listing page 5

Dig Deep | Outcome 1 page 6

Be Rooted | Outcome 2 page 8

Be Cultivated | Outcome 3 page 10

Branch Out | Outcome 4 page 12

Be Strong | Outcome 5 page 14

Bear Fruit | Outcome 6 page 16

Department Dashboards page 18

Looking Ahead to 2018–2019 page 27

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I am pleased to present the 2016–2017 annual report for the Division of Student Affairs at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

One of the many things I appreciate about Messiah College is our holistic approach to student learning. The recognition and value placed on students being educated beyond the classroom —in residences, on athletic fields, during service projects, etc.—is evident in our distinctive Community of Educators model and our commitment to College Learning Outcomes.

The Division of Student Affairs is comprised of several departments. These include the Agapé Center for Service and Learning, Athletics, the Career and Professional Development Center, College Ministries, the Engle Center for Counseling and Health Services, the Intercultural Office, Residence Life and the Student Involvement and Leadership Programs Office. The Division, in partnership with others, advances the mission of Messiah College by nurturing holistic learning and development and creating a vibrant educational community. We achieve this goal through a holistic cocurriculum that is anchored in six student affairs learning outcomes. These outcomes reflect the College’s Undergraduate Learning Outcomes as well as standards developed by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). This annual report will highlight some of the educational programs designed and delivered this year to promote growth and learning. In addition, there is evidence of student learning demonstrated with each outcome. The report also includes more demographic data as demonstrated by our established dashboards for each department.

Each year the Division of Student Affairs establishes two to three themes that seem particularly relevant and important for us to consider as we plan our educational programs for the year. This year our themes were integrity and gracious communication. Programming focused on civil dialogue in both social media and in-person communication, as well as the importance of integrity both academically and in our personal relationships.

One final note: the 2016-17 academic year proved to be challenging as our country elected a new president. This election was followed with varied responses, both positive and negative. As a community, we made our best attempts at finding spaces for civil and thoughtful dialogue. In addition, mental health concerns continued to demand our time and attention.

I am grateful for the commitment and dedication of the student affairs professionals that strive daily to develop maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in our students, for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation.

A MESSAGE from the VICE PROVOST/DEAN of STUDENTS

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DEPARTMENT LISTING

Agapé Center messiah.edu/agape |

Athletics and Recreational Sports gomessiah.com |

Intercultural Office messiah.edu/intercultural |

Living in Community messiah.edu/livingincommunity

Residence Life messiah.edu/residencelife |

Student Involvement and Leadership Programs

messiah.edu/SILP

Career and Professional Development Center

messiah.edu/career |

College Ministries messiah.edu/ministries |

Engle Center for Counseling and Health Services

messiah.edu/englecenter |

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It is important that students develop the ability to adapt to changing situations, make complex decisions, solve problems and realistically evaluate their own actions and the actions of others.

Messiah College students will…• Think critically• Reflect thoughtfully• Reason effectively• Maintain intellectual flexibility

DIG DEEP | Outcome 1

The Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) at Messiah College is about experience that fosters meaningful connection and story-telling with impact. We define experiential learning as occurring when students engage in a guided process where they are challenged to learn, apply, and integrate knowledge and skills in an authentic context.

763 ELI experiences completed in 2016-2017

Off-campus programs: 100 semester long and 280 cross-cultural

Leadership: 123

Internships/practica:150 internships and 29 practica

Service Learning: 80

Research: 1

“ The most rewarding aspect was getting to experience life in a new place completely independent from everything that was familiar to me. It was a great learning experience about growing up.”

– Kayla Berkey, semester abroad at Uganda Studies Program

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As part of our chapel programming, "Sixers" provide weekly meetings with educators for six weeks and address a variety of relevant topics. Human Rights Awareness engaged 372 students in faith and justice programming in the fall as part of a chapel sixer. Programming addressed topics such as racism, sexism, Islamophobia and LGBTQ issues. Students who attended the Human Rights Awareness chapel series on Social Issues + Faith ranked “the teachings of Jesus” as the top reason they are active in advocacy.

“ I learned that America isn’t a ‘free country’ for people of color, Muslims, immigrants… And that Jesus was disruptive to such an unjust system… His call for loving my neighbor includes those on the margins...”

– anonymous student in HRA’s chapel series

Residence life equips their student leaders as resident assistants to think critically about the investments they make in the lives of their residents as they move outside their comfort zone. The following quote is from a junior resident assistant who is reflecting on this aspect of her leadership experience:

“ Over these past two years of being an RA, I have learned how to love: to love with my whole-being, to love regardless of what I might get in return, to love like Jesus did. The world is full of hurt and pain, my residents all have their own hurt and pain, but to come alongside them for a year and just love them makes all the difference in the world. For them to know there is simply someone there who cares, to be that person in their lives, has been a true honor and privilege.”

The new Multicultural Scholarship Programs’ first-year Congress is an opportunity to bring together all the first-year students and mentors to discuss topics that are relevant to both scholarship groups. The program gives student leaders the opportunity to build skills by hosting the event, including manning the welcome table and preparing the room, leading worship and breakout session discussions, participating in the presentation by leading opening and closing prayers, and reading quotes. Senior Martin scholars are invited to reflect publicly on their work as a reconciler and the intersection of this work with academic interests. In the fall, we meet to review program requirements and jump start program discussions on diversity and race in America. In the spring, student leaders from various programs across campus promote service and leadership opportunities.

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Ultimately, students cannot fully embrace others until they have attained a level of self-understanding and a sense of who God created them to be.

Messiah College students will…• Demonstrate a mature sense of personal

attributes such as identity, self-esteem, confidence and integrity

• Mature in their relationship with God in regard to spiritual practices, reconciliation, servant leadership and embracing life as worship

BE ROOTED | Outcome 2

Koinonia fosters discipleship through peer-led small groups, which are trained and mentored by the mentor leader team.

“ My time at Messiah has been one of the most transformational times of my life. Being a part of a Koinonia small group and including my faith as a part of that growth has been incredible.”

– Seth Daisey ’18

The Agapé Center piloted a new local outreach leader model, which led to increased student learning and community partner satisfaction.

“ Tutoring is an opportunity to tell these kids that they are smart, beautiful, worthy and important.”

– Alexis Robinson ’20

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The student conduct process at Messiah College encourages students to reflect thoughtfully on their behavior, and how it impacts their personal growth and our community of believer/scholars. A frequent outcome of students coming through the discipline process involves students assigned to an educator as a mentor. The mentoring relationship is designed to assist students in owning their personal journey of transformation. The following quote is from a student mentored by an RD. They chose to read and discuss the book, “Practicing the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence.

“ This book has challenged me in ways I did not expect, and it has proposed concepts and ideas that are notably fresh and new to me. Through conversations, letters, maxims, and a life of dedication, Brother Lawrence has undoubtedly developed an extremely intriguing approach to experiencing God as truly and as fully as this earth and flesh allows.”

– anonymous student

The Career and Professional Development Center provides career coaching and senior check in appointments. This year saw 1,837 career coaching appointments and 98 percent of our students responding to a survey reported gaining information or resources to help them accomplish their goals or find answers to their questions.

“ I always find visiting the career center so helpful! I love talking with the career coaches and think they do an excellent job not only providing practical advice, but showing interest in the student.”

– Elizabeth Pinkham ’18

A creative new incentive, which allowed seniors to win gift cards to help with their professional wardrobe, increased senior check-in visits from 27 to 208!

1,837 career coaching appointments in 2016-2017

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It is important that students be prepared to live, learn, lead and serve in an increasingly multicultural and global society. In doing so, students must learn to appreciate other voices, places and experiences.

Messiah College students will…• Seek diverse communities and understand their value

for the common good• Embrace a willingness to reconcile with God

and others• Welcome diverse perspectives

BE CULTIVATED | Outcome 3

The Intercultural Office launched the Global Travelers Peer Mentoring Program to match returning students with those who had studied abroad in the past.

“ The open dialogue from other study abroad students was so much more helpful with the transition process than I would have thought. It put into realization that I’m not alone; plus it was simply awesome to hear of other’s experiences—all of which were so unique!”

– anonymous student

156 international, missionary and third culture students representing 30 countries were

enrolled in 2016–2017. The largest number of students represented the countries of Malaysia, China and Vietnam.

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Our annual International Banquet is held to celebrate cultures around the world. This year’s theme was "Around the World in One Night." 23 students, staff and family

members represented Messiah College in the 13th annual Race Against Racism in Harrisburg

We sponsored a group of student leaders and staff to participate in the 2017 Returning to the Roots of the Civil Rights Movement journey. Participants gained exposure to the troubled history of race relations in the United States and met with survivors of the Civil Rights Movement. Those who experience this journey return to campus energized to learn more and to become agents of reconciliation on campus and in their communities.

“ The Civil Rights Bus Tour was a wholly transformative experience for all of the students involved. Those nine days of difficult history and deep listening challenged us far beyond our comfort zones and connected the past and the present in profound ways, ultimately moving our perceptions of our nation’s racial story and our own racial story from our heads to our hearts.” – Jake Edmunds ’17, SGA president

The 5K run/walk promotes awareness of racism in our community and raises vital funds to support racial justice programs throughout the year.

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It is important for our students to influence the world through servant leadership that emphasizes collaboration, trust, empathy and the ethical use of power.

Messiah College students will…• Demonstrate responsibility to community, state,

nation, world and faith• Serve through active involvement with diverse

communities and real world challenges• Develop effective leadership skills and qualities

BRANCH OUT | Outcome 4

More than 100 orientation leaders volunteered to welcome first-year students to campus and ease their transition. Orientation leaders each lead a group of first-year students and are designed to model sucessful academic practices and behaviors for new students in their transition to Messiah College.

“ I love getting to meet new students, especially transfers, because I have been there myself. It is fun getting to know more people and helping them go through the process as well.”

– Krysta Wynn ’18

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The Agapé Center revamped the MLK Day of Service and held a block party at the Bethesda Youth Center in the spirit of Dr. King’s vision. The event included activities for local families and a spoken-word artist. Students who participated in the Civil Rights Tour over the summer created a timeline of the Civil Rights Movement and shared their experiences.

The Loft celebrated its 25th anniversary. The Loft program exists to develop student leaders who are trained to facilitate experiential education activities for leadership development and team building. These activities can involve cooperative games, challenge course team building, canoe trips, rock climbing, caving and camping trips. Team building initiatives are focused on developing cooperation, problem solving, trust, communication, decision making and leadership within a group that works or serves together.

The Agapé Center hosted the Refugee and Immigrant Service for Empowerment (RISE) Retreat where middle school and high school students from refugee and immigrant families came to the college for two days. The retreat is held to introduce students to their options after high school.

As part of one of the Agapé Center’s international service trip experiences, students served with Food for the Hungry in Bolivia for the 11th year. Food for the Hungry empowers the local community leaders to meet the needs in that area related to malnutrition, spiritual development, education and clean water.

Service Day is designed to help fulfill Messiah College’s mission to prepare students for lives of service.

98 percent of all participants said they are more likely to serve in the community after their Service Day experience. Surveying first-year students revealed that 91 percent of the students said the experience made them more aware of their own bias or privilege, while 92 percent said they have an increased understanding of disability.

“ The sheer joy I saw in my athlete really inspired me to slow down and see God in the every day… her happiness was contagious and truly gave me perspective.”

– anonymous first-year student

1,786 students and employees participated in Service Day on April 20, 2017

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BE STRONG | Outcome 5

It is important that students learn to understand themselves and build meaningful relationships.

Messiah College students will…• Develop dedication to personal goal setting,

meaningful relationships and collaboration• Develop a sense of ownership over learning

and education achievements that can carry over into career and personal goals

• Demonstrate a desire to continue professional and personal development through lifelong discovery

• Be aware of the constantly changing worlds in which we live and the necessity for self-directed adaptation to new opportunities and demands

• Become agents of reconciliation

Our Career and Professional Development Center provided students with the opportunity to network and learn about professional opportunities through Into the City trips to Boston and Nashville along with mini ITC trips to local businesses. Into the City is an intensive, two-day career immersion and networking program intended to expose students to living, working and connecting in the city.

“ I highly recommend this experience to any student in any major who wants to know more about what it is like to live and work in a city and improve their networking skills.”

– Jason Polansky ’19, student participant

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Messiah College Field Hockey won the 2016 NCAA Division III National Championship for the first year ever. Brooke Good was named the NFHCA National Coach of the year.

Messiah announces the promotion of men’s volleyball from club sport to NCAA Division III starting in 2017–2018. Messiah alum Justin Beachy ’13, MA ’15 is hired as head coach.

Interfaith: Agapé students spent spring break serving alongside Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist communities at the Philadelphia Interfaith Center. The team worked on service projects while learning about different religions from faith leaders around Philadelphia.

The Intercultural Office used storytelling to give voice to some significant issues that students were concerned about in our post-election climate. “Our Stories Un-Told” panel in February responded to national dialogue around immigration, refugees and asylum seekers.

#WeMatter allowed students to publicly demonstrate in silent protest to voice their fears and concerns post election.

Student Affairs assessed Outcome 5 across the cocurriculum this year, holding student focus groups to get their feedback on how well we are achieving this outcome. One student comment during focus groups on Outcome 5:

“ I do think they are doing a great job. A lot of the staff have an open-door policy which is great. Keep it up, because you are doing great.”

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Ultimately, students will be able to live lives that are purposeful, satisfying and effective as they follow God’s calling.

Messiah College students will…• Communicate effectively• Manage personal affairs• Be economically self-sufficient• Maintain personal health and wellness• Prioritize leisure pursuits• Live a purposeful life

BEAR FRUIT | Outcome 6

Adulting: Residence Life and the Career and Professional Development Center partnered together to assist students with concerns about post-graduate transition.

FY College Life Hacks: Residence Life provided an event for first-year students to continue to become successful in college. These sessions include anxiety/stress management, study skills and time management.

Life Hacks: Residence Life hosts this program two times a year and cover topics that assist students in developing practical life skills. Breakout sessions include healthy, easy cooking; budgeting; basic car mechanics; how to find a place to rent; repaying student loans; and alcohol education.

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The Student Involvement and Leadership Programs office oversees orientation for the incoming first-year and transfer students. This year they developed online orientation videos to make acclimating to campus easier for incoming first-year students.

137 students participated in Rezumania, where career coaches helped prepare students for job applications.

“ My meeting helped encourage me that I am on the right path and showed me that I have a lot of options to start preparing for the future now. I left the meeting feeling confident and excited!”

– Natalie Vermeulen ’20

The upper-class experience offered a sophomore chapel series focusing on relationships, time management, vocation, empathy and spirituality.

We hosted a professional development staff event with Tim Clydesdale on Holy Grit. Tim is a professor of sociology at The College of New Jersey and is the author of “The Purposeful Graduate and the First

Year Out: Understanding American Teens after High School.” He focused on how we can help students develop a grounded idealism which allows them to pursue their goals without being derailed when life doesn’t go as

The Engle Center for Counseling and Health provided a variety of options to help students deal with stress. Animal therapies included equine therapy and dogs on campus. Students enjoyed spending time with the resident dog Adi. The Engle Center Café provided healthy snacks to students and offered paint nights as well.

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The Agapé Center for Service and Learning develops, administers resources and coordinates programs of service-learning, community service and missions. Students, faculty and staff work with community-based partners in local, national and international settings to address community needs, provide holistic learning opportunities for students, and encourage students toward an ethic of discipleship, service and civic engagement.

DEPARTMENT DASHBOARDS

AGAPÉ CENTER

154 students and 18 employees served

on Agapé service trips to 16 national and

international locations

“ It is humbling—being exposed to poverty and homelessness, an environment that students in college do not think about often... Interacting with the homeless on a frigid day with socks and warm soup not only gave me a new sense of empathy but helped me find appreciation for my own life.”

– Ian Tan ’19, Priority One (New York)

334 students served with local community

partners through Outreach Teams

99.1% of current students participate in service during their time at Messiah

2,010 students and employees served in local “Plunge Days” of service

673 students attended programs on relevant national and international human rights issues

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ATHLETICS, CLUB SPORTS AND REC SPORTS

Lucas Malmberg ’16 won his second consecutive NCAA Division III National

Wrestling Championship.

169 teams participated in rec sports ranging from

volleyball, soccer, floor hockey and flag football in

the fall to basketball, frisbee and softball in the spring

Messiah College had a

Top 25 ranking in the final standings

of the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup.

Messiah College Women’s Soccer were NCAA Division III National Runner-Up.

Messiah College Field Hockey won their first NCAA Division III National Championship.

Messiah College Athletics won 11 out of a

possible 22 MAC Championships during the 2016-2017 academic year with 19 teams

qualifying for playoffs.

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CAREER and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

8,319 jobs

and 2,384

internships posted to Handshake portal

4,635 new

employers approved

364 employers involved in campus recruiting events

131 alumni gave back through involvement in CPDC programs

1,837 students seen for career coaching appointments

Class of 2016 First Destination Survey Data84% employed, 14% in graduate programs,

2% still seeking (68% knowledge rate)

Sample companies represented through experiential programs:Boston Red SoxOcean SpraySight and Sound TheatresFoxFuel CreativeCitizen’s Bank

Black River EntertainmentHershey Entertainment

and ResortsNational Park ServiceAmerican Bible Society

Stanley Black and DeckerLancaster LabsVanguardABC27Boston Medical Center

215 students completed credit-bearing internships

221 students completed

department-based practica

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More than 50 students take part in Bible leader training each year.

Approximately 50 students receive mentoring in liturgical

and musical leadership.

COLLEGE MINISTRIES

400+ students take advantage of the 24–26 educator-led mini-series

offered to foster Christian growth each semester

More than 50 worship services are offered each semester.

Students have the opportunity to be equipped for leadership roles within the Church or other ministry settings through one-on-one mentoring.

500 to 2,200 students attend each service

300+ students participate in 30 Bible

studies across campus each semester

“ I’ve been surprised by how my Bible study has helped me to know Jesus in a real and deep way that goes beyond anything I’ve ever imagined—beyond a head knowledge and into a spiritual knowing.” – Victoria B.

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INTERCULTURAL OFFICE

International Student Programs

125 F-1 visa students

31 missionary/third culture students

30 graduates from the

class of 2017

Multicultural Council

35+ educational programs offered

6 multicultural student clubs and

organizations

6 ELI-eligible student leaders and

20 Multicultural Council members

Top countries of student citizenship:

Malaysia (47)China (10)

Vietnam (10)

Total countries represented: 30

Multicultural Scholarship Programs

41 Martin Scholars

144 Amigo/Flowers Scholars (39 first-year R.H. Flowers Scholars

and 105 upperclass Amigo Scholars)

17 mentors

Multicultural Programs

156 international, missionary and third culture students

12.8% under-represented students on campus

RetentionScholarship program students Fall 2015, first to second year: 89.8%

Non-scholarship UR students Fall 2015, first to second year: 80%

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11 cross-cultural courses

8 discipline-specific cross-cultural courses

17 service experiences (Agapé, AROMA, Collaboratory)

2 individual student experiences (internships, student teaching,

field experiences)

Off-Campus Programs

21 semester-long programs

38 short-term experiences

Top 3 semester-long study abroad programs: GoEd Africa (Rwanda), LCC International University (Lithuania) and London Internship Program

144 students on semester-long, off-campus programs

65% of student population participated in credit-bearing

off-campus programs

489 students on short-term experiences:• 175 students on cross-cultural

courses• 129 students on discipline-specific

courses• 176 students on service

experiences (Agapé, AROMA, Collaboratory)

• 9 individual student experiences (internships, student teaching, field experiences)

58% of student population participated in credit-bearing

international programs

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RESIDENCE LIFE

Upperclass Experience

The upper class experience provides context for further growth in relationships, identity/spiritual development, intercultural competencies and practical life skills to equip students for the transition from college.

The first-year experience encourages a healthy transition to college characterized by deep relationship and learning through strategic programs and intentional relationships.

80% of apartment residents identified being

encouraged to grow in their relationship with

God (faith) through their experience living in the

apartments

91% of first-year residents agreed that “life in the hall has helped me gain personal discipline

and positive habits”

96% of residents who attended life hacks

programming said, “I was provided life

skills that will be helpful in my transition

from Messiah”

95% of first-year residents identified

the residence halls as a place of learning

First-Year Experience

100% of special interest house residents wrote in their fall paper that they had meaningful experiences in their house

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More than 340 students used the holiday shuttle service.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

and LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

Served 170 student leaders

Coordinated orientation for

819 new Messiah students

The Loft facilitated 75+ groups, which

included more than 1,600 participants.

More than 1,820 students participated in student-run clubs.

Supported more than 370 commuter students

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ENGLE CENTER

Health Services

4,217 total visits

3,401 total visits

69% of students were seen by a nurse practitioner

Most frequent concerns:anxiety, depression

Specialty areas: alcohol and other drug treatment and education, outreach to underrepresented populations, sexual addition treatment and men’s character develpment

223 travel clinic visits

Average number of counseling sessions per client: 8

Health services staff:• One full-time registered

nurse practitioner• One full-time and four part-time

registered nurses• One part-time registered dietitian

Counseling services staff:• Four full-time licensed professional

counselors• One full-time professional counselor• Three part-time counseling interns

90% of students were seen by health services

455 students were seen (16% of the student body)

Majority of visits were for prevention: flu shots, TB testing

Most frequent illnesses:upper respiratory infections, mental health concerns

196 nutrition visits

Counseling Services

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Inclusive ExcellenceStudent Affairs will continue to foster inclusive excellence through cocurricular programming. The role of diversity advocates within each department will be developed more fully and each department will establish goals related to inclusion.

First-Year ExperienceThe First-Year Experience at Messiah College is a collaborative effort across many areas within the College to provide a successful transition for our first-year students. The outcomes and strategies related to the First-Year Experience will be reviewed and our current practices will be assessed to determine if they meet best practices.

Connected Learning ExperiencesMeaningful and connected learning is important to student development. We will continue to work with educators in Student Affairs to facilitate opportunities for students to connect their varied learning experiences.

Sexuality and Gender Education (SAGE)We have developed an educational program to provide opportunities for enhanced care and support for students while cultivating learning and leadership development within the broad themes of sexuality and gender. This is rooted in Messiah College’s biblical understanding and the values that flow out of our Christian identity and mission. This program will be fully implemented this year.

Wellness InitiativesA new fitness center has opened this fall and a wellness committee will oversee efforts to increase fitness and wellness opportunities across the College community.

Commuter ServicesCommuter students are a vital part of the College community. A brand new lounge opened this fall and we will continue to work to improve commuter student connections and services.

Themes for 2017–2018Each year, the division chooses themes to focus student programming and to interweave into other student experiences. This year our themes are:• Resilience – Resilience is a process of dealing with adversity. It is a skill that can be learned, which

involves behaviors, thoughts, actions and spiritual practices. • Time Management Redemption – Time is a gift, and like most gifts, it can be taken for granted.

We will explore how to redeem time using biblical principles and wise practices about priorities, rest, margin, self-care and celebration.

• Empathy in Action – Focus on promoting students’ understanding of perspectives different than their own and nurture genuine care towards others. We hope that this awareness inspires action to care for others and for social change.

LOOKING AHEAD to 2018–2019

2817_1057

One College Avenue Suite 4513Mechanicsburg PA 17055

office of student affairs