Division of Student Affairs

May 2026 newsletter

Dear Student Affairs colleagues,

As we come to the end of another academic year, I want to thank you for all that you do to encourage and champion our students. Your work makes a difference every day and I am truly grateful.

Please note these few reminders as we close out the year:

Finally, I am really looking forward to spending the day with you at Professional Development Day, May 20. This is a great opportunity for us all to learn from one another and share our expertise. 

Warmly,

Anna "Dr. G" Gonzalez
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
@akgonzal327

The Student Affairs Professional Development Day is May 20. The event was created by Dr. Anna Gonzalez to focus on staff development and connection. This year's theme is Together Towards Tomorrow: Cultivating Collaboration and Growth. We will be joined by University Admissions and Financial Aid. The online event schedule will be finalized in advance of the day. 

Nominations for the annual Student Affairs Staff Awards are now open and close May 29. Division of Student Affairs staff who have been employed two or more years can be nominated for more than one of the eight awards in a calendar year. Nominate a colleague. Honorees will be announced at the Divisional Kick Off in August. 

We are currently seeking volunteers who can offer their time, energy and presence to help support the WashU Affinity Student Celebrations. These events truly come to life because of the support and care of our campus community, and we would be grateful for your help in making them special! If you’re interested in supporting one or more celebrations, please take a moment to complete this volunteer interest form. For questions, please email Dr. Jacob Chacko.

Marco Antonio Valenzuela has been appointed director of Campus Life at WashU.
In this position, Valenzuela will serve as a key advisor within Student Affairs and work closely with campus partners to advance strategic priorities and strengthen cross-divisional collaboration that supports student connection and success. Read more about Marco.

A variety of summer athletic camps across nine different sports will be offered this summer, ranging from youth camps to high school prospect camps. They are open for students in grades 2-12. These camps are great for kids trying to get into sports or for student-athletes who are looking for high-level instruction. Take a look at the full list of camps. 

As you plan for the 2026-2027 academic year, review the religious holiday calendar to avoid scheduling conflicts with major holidays and to raise your awareness of important dates for many in our community. Contact Cara Rockhill with questions.

Jordan Cooper, director of Cross-Cultural Connections, has been named a 2026 Emerging Leader Distinguished Honors Award recipient, a university-wide recognition celebrating staff who positively influence the WashU community through collaborative, growth-minded leadership.

Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Time: 12:30- 4:00 pm  (table set-up and lunch provided 11:30-12:30)
Location: Clark-Fox Forum, Hillman Hall

Learn more. 

The week before classes for first-year students is called Orientation (formerly Fall Welcome). Additionally, the online onboarding module called Get Your Bearings has been retired. Student Affairs Marketing & Communications will update all web references by April. Please update any other materials in your area accordingly.

Never heard of that acronym or term before? Check out our new Student Affairs Dictionary, a quick, go‑to guide for all the lingo used across the Division of Student Affairs.

How WashU Women’s Soccer became a culture of belonging and a force on the field
Read the full story →

Students can schedule both return and new Rapid Access Counseling Zoom Appointments beginning 16 hours prior to the time they would like to be seen. To schedule the appointment, students can go to their Student Health Portal and select Rapid Access Counseling Zoom Appointment.

Whether you’re graduating, heading into the summer, deep in graduate study, or figuring out what comes next, we want to hear from you. Jobs, internships, research, travel, grad school, exploration—it all counts. Take a quick moment to share your current plans or progress. Your insight helps shape career support that’s relevant now and stronger for the future. No pressure. No wrong answers. Just real impact.

May 7 is housing checkout for non-graduating students and May 15 is housing checkout for graduating students. Learn more about the move-out procedure. 

Applications are open for the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Affairs Advisory Boards (USAAB and GSAAB) and close May 8. Applicants will be notified during the summer of their selection status. The purpose of USAAB and GSAAB is to provide feedback to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs on critical issues impacting student life that may arise during the course of an academic year. Submit an application. 

August 3: Student Affairs Kick Off
August 13: International First-year Student Move-in
August 14-15 : Domestic First-year Student Move-in
August 15-16: Parent & Family Orientation
August 15-22: Orientation
August 24: First day of classes
August 27: On-Campus Student Employment Opportunities Fair

Submit an entry for the next Student Affairs newsletter

The Student Affairs newsletter is sent the first Tuesday of each month. If your department has content you would like featured, submit via the link below at least a week prior to the edition you would like to be included in.

Examples of items to submit are highlights of new initiatives or programming; staff achievements, publications or awards; department spotlights and upcoming events you would like Student Affairs staff members to know about.

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