Guiding Principles

We are delighted to be a part of your journey, and your collegiate experience. Whether this is your first college experience or you are joining the UNC Asheville community having already had some college experience, the Office of Student Transition and Family Programs is here to partner with you and help you get started on the right track.

To learn more about our work, and if questions arise, please contact us by email at transition@unca.edu or call us at 828.232.2417.

Mission

To provide support for students and their families to successfully transition in and through university life through programs and services that promote personal, social and academic engagement within the campus and local community.

Distinctive Role

The Department of Student Transition and Family Programs will successfully assist all UNC Asheville students, as well as their families, to transition in and through the university and local community by providing opportunities that promote a successful college experience.

Core Values and Strategies

Intercultural Competence

We recognize and appreciate the experiences, perspectives, and strengths of all members of the campus community. Student Transition and Family Programs’ commitment includes the following:

  • Ensuring that our programs reflect the diversity of our community
  • Placing priority on recruiting students of all aspects and identities in our hiring practices for student employees

Innovation

We thoughtfully and intentionally seek effective opportunities to best serve, engage and connect our student and family populations. Student and Family Programs’ commitment includes the following:

  • Seek best practices in the areas of orientation, transition student programming, and family programming to support student success and retention
  • Continually review our internal processes and practices and be open to adjusting our approach to reflect the needs of the student body

Sustainability and Collaboration

Transition is a process that occurs over time and requires continual support and assistance. Student Transition and Family Programs’ commitment includes the following:

  • Develop strategic on-campus partnerships to facilitate meaningful programming for our students.
  • Establish partnerships between students and our staff to provide continued guidance and support throughout the transition process.

Engagement

Engagement in campus life helps build a sense of community and assists students in their transition to the university. Student Transition and Family Programs’ commitment includes the following:

  • Offer programs and services that utilize on-campus resources and community partners to actively engage students in campus and local community life.
  • Connect students with peers to build supportive social networks that promote personal success.

Advocacy

Members of the University community are expected to engage in conduct that contributes to the culture of integrity and honor upon which the University of North Carolina at Asheville is grounded. Acts of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking jeopardize the health and welfare of our campus community and the larger community as a whole. Therefore, UNC Asheville stands strongly behind its prohibited conduct as related to sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.

If you witness, hear about or experience any of the aforementioned acts, please report! UNC Asheville has a policy in place to address these acts; the UNC Asheville Sexual Misconduct and Interpersonal Violence Policy is available in its entirety.

Foundation Documents

All departments in Student Affairs link their department goals and outcomes to our Foundation Documents, which include:

The Office of Student Transition and Family Programs specifically uses Schlossberg’s Theory of Transition (Schlossberg, Waters, and Goodman’s Transition Model) as a guide for creating and executing programming for all UNC Asheville students and family members. As an office of orientation, transition, and retention, we also follow the NODA Core Competencies.