Our Priorities and Impact
What guides our work
The Division of Student Affairs and Success grounds its work in shared values that shape how we serve students and the campus community. Guided by three divisional priorities—student-centered decision making, equity and inclusion, and innovation—we approach every program, service, and partnership with care and intention.
These priorities guide our decisions, strengthen our practices, and keep us focused on what matters most: supporting student success. Through ongoing assessment and reflection, we measure our impact, share what we learn, and continuously improve how we meet the needs of UC Santa Cruz students.
Explore the sections below to learn what guides our work and how we put our values into action.
Our divisional priorities
Our three divisional priorities are the north star of our division’s work–guiding the division in matters large and small, through decisions simple and complex, and during moments of trouble and triumph. They are also the foundation upon which our strategic plan is built.
Student-centered decision making
Students are the reason for our work. Supporting their success is paramount to the programs we offer, the events we host, the resources we share, and the initiatives we lead. Student-centered decision-making does not yield to students’ wants, preferences, and comforts at all turns. Rather, it securely roots itself in the vast understanding of student development and, when necessary, challenges and supports students as they journey through the uncomfortable and uncertain. If an existing program, initiative, or resource is not student-centered, it must be thoroughly evaluated and redesigned to ensure students’ best interests are at the heart of its mission or purpose. Student well-being and development will be at the core of all our decisions.
Equity and Inclusion
As we strive to uphold UC Santa Cruz’s Principles of Community, our division commits to pushing the boundaries of equity and justice in all the little and big ways. We will be fierce advocates for marginalized students and will champion access to equitable UCSC experiences for all. We will evaluate and assess our systems, processes, and programs to break down barriers that may otherwise exclude student engagement. We will maintain a critical and discerning lookout for injustice on campus, in the Santa Cruz community, and around the world beyond. Where we witness injustice, we will interrupt, intervene, and insist on change. We will use our power–and our positions–to curtail the perils of prejudice.
Innovation
Our capacity to support students is strengthened by our curiosity for what could be and our courage to pursue possibilities through new and innovative approaches to our work. Motivated by the vast potential of tomorrow, we are committed to overcoming the limits of today. We recognize failure is part of this journey and welcome its many teachings and opportunities for growth. Undeterred, we resolve to try, try again, and try anew. Compelled by the transformative potential of our work, we are ambassadors for change and visionaries of possibility. By acting boldly and thinking creatively, we will lead the division–and our campus–into the future, using our strategic plan as a guiding light.
Measuring our impact
We are dedicated to understanding how our programs, services, and partnerships make a difference in the lives of UC Santa Cruz students. Our commitment to data-informed decision making, continuous improvement, and transparency guides how we assess our work and share what we learn with the campus community.
Through assessment, evaluation, and utilization studies, DSAS teams regularly gather feedback, analyze outcomes, and identify opportunities to enhance the student experience. The reports and dashboards shared here illustrate the reach and impact of our collective work, from engagement in co-curricular programs to access and success initiatives, wellness services, and beyond.
We invite you to explore these examples of divisional assessment efforts and see how our work contributes to student learning, belonging, and success.
Featured reports
2024–2025 DSAS Impact Report: A comprehensive overview of divisional accomplishments, partnerships, and outcomes demonstrating how DSAS programs and services advance student belonging, learning, and success across UC Santa Cruz.
2024 UCUES Analysis: An in-depth look at findings from the UC Undergraduate Experience Survey (UCUES), highlighting student feedback on academics, engagement, and campus life that informs improvements to programs, services, and resources.
2024 Career Confidence and Preparedness: An analysis of student and recent graduate survey data examining confidence in career-related skills and readiness for life after UCSC, drawn from UCUES and First Destination Survey results.
Past divisional reports
Health and wellness
Our commitment
Assessment and evaluation help ensure that DSAS programs remain responsive, equitable, and effective. We believe that listening to student voices, using data ethically and thoughtfully, and sharing what we learn strengthens our collective capacity to support every Banana Slug’s journey.