Student Life Department
OVERVIEW
With a soft launch in Spring 2019 the rebranding of the Student Life Department was realized and has continued to evolve. The Department is currently comprised of the 3 units, with 4 employees and 4 interns providing a broad range of support services, activities and programs thru the following units:
Academic
Careers & Work Based Learning (WBL)
Health & Wellness
Having demonstrated resilience with various natural disasters, as well as a global pandemic this year; there is even more of an essential need for enhanced and consistent student services and support. This will allow for the holistic development through student’s educational experiences, fostering a community of life-long learning, individual responsibility and diversity. The department anticipates further growth in 2021.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Student Life will lead the development of the Student Life portfolio, aligned with the identified three Pillars noted below, and expounded on in the University strategic statement; which sites responsibility for the administrative and programmatic oversight and coordination of a campus climate that serves the educational, physical, social, cultural, psychological, spiritual, financial needs and development of all students, including appropriate support programs, personnel, policies, procedures, and resources.
Student Centered
Suitably Resourced
Engine for Economic Development, Innovation and Social Change
Creating a culture and center of excellence that enables high levels of trust and flexibility in accomplishing our work and making timely and responsive decisions. Developing and sustaining the will to operate beyond expectations is facilitated by a focus on three things: integrating useful knowledge into transparent decision-making processes; sustaining a culture of collaboration; and becoming more data driven in our pursuit of continuous improvement as well as effectiveness.
To achieve distinctive contributions to student success, our strategic planning was, and continues to be, a process of collective leadership and collaboration, allowing us to continue our commitment to cultivating the potential of each student at UCCI.
VISION
Student Life at UCCI will facilitate student success by engaging students as active participants in their own holistic development; empowering them to enter the competitive and evolving job market as leaders with confidence and competence.
MISSION
Student Life will serve as a key resource to students, faculty and staff; cultivating and leveraging internal and external partnerships in the student development process; by promoting an academic and experiential learning environment, making a positive contribution to the overall student experience.
VALUES
Student Life attains excellence by adhering to the following core values.
Student Centered: We embrace students as central to our mission. Through collaborative partnerships and comprehensive programs and services, we cultivate opportunities that promote academic success, lifelong learning, leadership and personal development.
Integrity: Maintain open and transparent communication within Student Life, with our students, faculty/staff and general public. We treat everyone with high regard, appreciation, and courtesy. Integrity is exhibited when our actions are in alignment with our mission and values with honesty, respect, personal responsibility and impartiality.
Service Excellence: We aim to provide high quality, value-added service in all that we do. We value community opportunities and encourage students to be active and responsible members of the campus and within the community.
Diversity: We value the uniqueness of people, cultures and perspectives. We encourage diversity by promoting respect, civility, inclusion and providing accessible programming and services and cultivating a community that is inclusive. This includes a focus on collaboration and partnerships.
Academic, Careers and Work-based Learning
UCCI students come from many backgrounds, with differing interests and passions. We want to ensure every student has the information, resources and support he or she needs for lifelong success. Whether students' interests are intellectual, social, recreational, cultural, multicultural or spiritual in nature, there is a place for them at UCCI!
To start with, here are some services available to UCCI students:
Academic Advising - Benefit from guidance in charting your academic life at UCCI.
Peer Tutoring - Get individualised attention to help build strong foundations in core subjects.
Resume and Cover-Letter Writing - Our expert techniques help you brand yourself as a competitive candidate.
Interviewing Skills - Make a good impression. Let us assist you in convincing hiring managers that you are the person for the job.
Internships and Apprenticeships - Connect between the classroom and the working world through cooperative learning experiences.
Scholarship Applications - Obtain assistance in navigating the scholarship application process.
University Applications - Get guidance in mapping your academic and career options beyond UCCI.
International Programmes - Explore our exchange programmes and study-abroad options.
Health and Wellness
Student safety and well-being is one of our highest priorities. UCCI invests significant resources in a variety of activities and initiatives designed to encourage responsible decisions that enhance well-being.
Counseling Services - Get connected with the resources that will assist you in gaining insight into life’s challenges and opportunities.
Clubs and Associations - Find like-minded people who share your interests, learn new things and develop new skills.
Fitness and Sports - Keep active, stimulate your body and mind and make friends while building camaraderie through teamwork.
Extra-curricular Activities - Engage in activities that enhance campus life and build community representation.
Student Aid - Qualified students get financial support to cover non-tuition expenses.
Recovery Bay - For the times when you don’t feel well and need a place to rest.
SEN Assistance - Obtain support for your particular needs to achieve the best possible learning outcomes.
University College Student Government
The University College Student Government is the foremost student body organisation at the University College of the Cayman Islands. It is at the heart of leadership surrounding student life.
As a member of the UCSG, you will have the opportunity to grow in these ways:
develop leadership and project-management skills,
enhance campus life through engagement and meaningful interactions,
cultivate pride among students,
take an active role in UCCI’s decision making process,
as ambassadors, represent UCCI in the community and abroad, and
champion students’ needs and interests, in keeping with the institution’s mission, vision and strategic goals