About us

ABSE fosters community and develops capacity for campus constituents to bring their authentic selves into their university related pursuits. The division promotes student success, allowing students to thrive academically, socially, and personally.  The division also provides leadership, growth, empowerment, and advocacy services that propel students, staff, faculty, and alumni to contribute to their communities and the interconnected world in which they live.

The division aspires to cultivate collective responsibility across campus for creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Access

• Nurture a culture of possibility 
• Empower through advocacy and flexible support 
• Lead with compassion to understand root causes of inaccessibility  
• Cultivate lifelong learning and growth 

Belonging

• Create spaces and opportunities for students to be involved and engaged in the process of belonging 
• Build meaningful connections through dialogue and engagement 
• Foster a spirit of curiosity and reflection 
• Prioritize joy, wellness, wholeness, compassion, and humanity 

Student Engagement

• Affirm our human-centered philosophy through education and action 
• Foster a culture of accountability and collective responsibility 
• Protect the rights and well-being of all who engage on our campus 
• Uphold ethical practices by acting with integrity and purpose 

Student Learning – We believe learning is a life long developmental process.  We aspire to create opportunities in a safe environment for students to explore and develop skills and experiences to become competent, skilled, caring, successful, contributing members of our global society.  Student learning is viewed holistically; thus we seek to both challenge and support students in all dimensions of their growth: intellectual, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, occupational, cultural, and ethical.

Inclusive Excellence – We embrace the value and strength that resides in our human differences.  We appreciate people for who they are and where they are at in their learning cycle.  We champion the need to create an environment for people with various backgrounds and encourage dialogue, openness and appreciation for human differences.

Integrity and Professionalism – We seek to establish an environment consistent with our values, characterized by openness, compassion, accountability, respect, modeling and appreciation for our students, colleagues and our partners.

Intentionality and Assessment – We strive to create an environment and programs for improving the institution and student learning experience.  Therefore we are innovative and intentional in providing leadership, service and learning opportunities.  We seek to clearly articulate our desired outcomes, to analyze our progress to plan, and to systematically make and communicate improvements.

Student Wellness – We believe that a healthy mind and body are prerequisites for student success.  We believe in meeting the student where they are at and gradually transitioning them into self and community advocacy.  When appropriate we provide interventions to ensure student safety and well being.

Collaboration – We strive to enjoy our work in a supportive and collaborative setting inclusive of students, faculty, staff and administration.