Student Advisory Council

DSS Student Advisory Council

The Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success is excited to announce the creation of the Division of Student Success Student Advisory Council, a dynamic initiative designed to harness the invaluable insights of our diverse student body at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UH Mānoa). This council will be composed of nominated and selected undergraduate and graduate students representing all 16 schools and colleges, as well as all 5 Chartered Student Organizations. By bringing together voices from across our vibrant campus, we aim to gain comprehensive perspectives on various topics crucial to our university's growth and overall student success. The Division of Student Success (DSS) Student Advisory Council will serve as a vital conduit for maintaining a strong connection with the UH Mānoa community, ensuring that our initiatives and policies reflect the needs and aspirations of our students. Join us as we strive to enhance the university experience and foster an environment where every student can thrive.

DSS Student Advisory Council Group on the steps of Hawaii Hall

Student Council Members →

Mission

The Division of Student Success Student Advisory Council’s (DSSSAC) mission is to support the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success’ (OVPSS) strategic plan, Students First, Student Centered, and its four (4) key directions - 1) Perpetuating a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, 2) Collaborating to strengthen services for student success, 3) Sustaining a model of holistic student retention and 4) Designing programmatic growth and innovation. The DSSSAC provides feedback and recommendations to equip the Division to create a student-centered environment that fosters diversity, global awareness, and wellness, prioritizing self-authorship and identity development. Our efforts engage students as partners, building an inclusive, community-connected campus to help them live meaningful lives and make impactful contributions to the communities we serve within Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi nei, and beyond.

Council Membership

  1. The meetings are hosted by the interim Vice Provost for Student Success, Dr. Katrina-Ann Kapā Oliveira, who requests feedback, views, and recommendations from the council of undergraduate and graduate students who represent all 16 schools and colleges as well as all 5 Chartered Student Organizations.
  2. The group will discuss various issues and suggestions related to student life, support and engagement, including programming, services, policies, marketing and engagement tools, and other university initiatives. Members will serve as advisors to the Division of Student Success (DSS) and will be well-informed on issues and upcoming new ideas at the university. Members are expected to share the information with the student body at large to elicit campus-wide student opinion.
  3. Members of the council will be nominated and selected based on their application materials. Our goal is to select a diverse group of students about 20-25 in total to serve on this council. Each member will serve a one or two-year term.

Meetings

  1. There will be one (1) meeting per month for the ʻ24-ʻ25 academic year starting in October.
  2. The council will not meet in the summer months.
  3. Meetings will take place on campus from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm in the Queen Lili’uokalani Center for Student Services (QLCSS) in Room 412. Council members will receive regular emails that will include the date, time, relevant information, and location.

Expectations

  1. Council members are expected to arrive on time to the meetings and to participate in the discussions, providing relevant and insightful information on behalf of their peers.
  2. To remain in good standing, members must attend at least 50% of the total meetings per academic year (about 4 meetings) and be able to actively participate, otherwise they may be asked to step down.

Application Process

  1. Faculty/Staff must submit Nomination forms by September 3, 2024. (DSS Student Advisory Council Nomination and Essay Criteria 2024)
  2. Only nominated students will be considered and invited to complete an application. Students must apply through the application link which will be emailed to them by the OVPSS office after their nomination has been received and reviewed for completion.
  3. For the student application, students should be prepared to:
    1. Share a little about yourself (i.e. your major, interest/hobbies, hometown).
    2. Share about your experience at UH Mānoa.
    3. Tell us how you contribute to UH Mānoa in a positive manner.
    4. Provide an overview of your involvement at UH Mānoa or community organizations.
    5. Share about how you developed personally, professionally, and/or academically at UH Mānoa.
  4. Only completed student applications received by the September 20, 2024 deadline will be considered.
  5. Division of Student Success Student Advisory Council members will be selected and notified by October 1, 2024.

Student Council Members

Meet the members of the Student Advisory Council. Click on the photo to view their profile.