The overall goal of the Student Experience is to provide an exceptional student experience that aligns with improved retention and timely graduation:
- Reinforce essential student skills through curriculum: Prepare students for lifelong learning by empowering them with essential learning skills. Strengthen the curriculum of all programs with experience in critical thinking, communication, applied learning and research.
- Expand out-of-class engagement: Supplement the classroom experience with a wide range of out-of-class learning activities.
- Promote student physical and mental well-being: Provide students with resources to help maintain their physical and mental health.
View the Student Experience components of the Strategic Plan.
As we continue to support these strategies, we are expanding to include the five major lines of effort (or ideals) below:
Experiential Learning
- Structured, hands-on learning opportunities that connect academic theory to real-world practice through active participation and critical reflection. This includes both in-class and out-of-class experiences such as undergraduate research, internships, study abroad, service-learning, and project-based coursework. These activities promote skill development, intercultural competence, and deeper understanding by empowering students to apply knowledge in meaningful and transformative ways.
Academic Success
- Achieving both academic milestones and developing broader skills and qualities that contribute to a student's overall development and future success. This includes aspects such as engagement, life skills, and well-being to meet educational goals, acquire necessary knowledge and skills, and foster a passion for learning.
Global Engagement
- The educational experiences that provide academic, cultural, and professional learning in international contexts, as well as in domestic settings that intentionally engage with global themes and communities. This includes programs that promote cross-cultural understanding, global awareness, and personal growth through immersive, reflective, and transformative learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.
Leadership and Empowerment
- Leadership is a student's ability to positively influence, motivate, and guide their peers and the broader university community towards achieving common goals. This includes academic responsibilities and extends to service and engagement within the educational environment. Empowerment refers to granting students authority and confidence to actively participate in and influence their own education. This includes taking ownership of their learning, making choices about their education, and leading initiatives within the school environment.
Elevate Students
- Promoting student growth and well-being, often in social and emotional domains. It involves raising their level of achievement, confidence, and positive outlook. This includes providing enriching extracurricular activities, fostering a sense of belonging, and providing additional support to those who need it.
These ideals encompass what it means to be an EAGLE. They are deliberate and integrated actions on the part of our university staff and faculty that allow us to produce the next generation of leaders in the aviation and aerospace industry.
SIT Members
Chair
- Dr. Kelly Austin, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost — University Administration
Co-Leads
- Dr. Aaron Clevenger, Assistant Provost for International Education – University Administration
- Alan Dayton, Associate Vice President, Student Success – Daytona Beach
Executive Committee
- Dr. Anne Boettcher, Assistant Dean of Research – Prescott
- Dr. Rachel Burleson, Director of Athletics – Daytona Beach
- Dr. Theresa Crichfield, Dean of Students – Daytona Beach
- Jennifer Fox, Director, International Student Engagement and Outreach – Daytona Beach
- Dr. Zafer Hatahet, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences, Prescott
- Amy Jefts, Dean of Student Support – Daytona Beach
- Sue Macchiarella, Director, Study Abroad & Global Engagement – Daytona Beach
- Dr. Bettina Mrusek, Dean, College of Aviation – Worldwide
- Rich Nicols, Assistant Dean, Retention and Parent Student Programs – Daytona Beach
- Dr. Jennah Perry, Dean of Student Success - Prescott
- Henry Ponciano, Dean of Students – Worldwide
- LTC (Dr.) Jerry Reitano, Commander, Army ROTC Battalion – Daytona Beach
- Jennifer Schaeffer, Director, Nationally Competitive Awards & Scholar Development – University Administration
Advisory Members
- Dr. Riccardo Bevilacqua, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs – University Administration
- Dr. Eduardo Divo, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs – University Administration
- Maria Franco, Executive Director of Institutional Research – University Administration
- Julie Ferguson, University Registrar – University Administration
- Dr. Will Miller, Associate Vice President for Continuous Improvement & Institutional Performance – University Administration
- Chris Whippy, Chief Business Officer – Daytona Beach