The Division of Student Success (DSS) Teams provide a valuable opportunity for representatives from each department to collaborate on specific projects that advance the division's goals. We highly value the innovation and teamwork that arise from these groups. Through their efforts, DSS consistently delivers high-quality experiences, programming, and services to our students. This collaborative structure supports holistic, data-informed, and operational-focused strategies that enhance student outcomes and streamline division needs across departments. 

Each team is led by designated chairs and co-chairs, and they are responsible for delivering specific outcomes, such as developing assessment tools, enhancing communication strategies, managing risks, providing professional development, and ensuring equitable distribution of technological resources. The teams operate with allocated budgets to support their initiatives and meet regularly to discuss progress and share best practices.

Required Teams

These three teams require a member from each unit to represent their department and execute cross-functional needs of the division.

Assessment Team

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  • The Assessment Team supports the use of assessment to improve programs, student learning, and decision-making. It provides expertise in developing surveys, interpreting data, and sharing results, serving as the division’s primary resource for assessment and evaluation in Student Success.

    • OVPSS Liason: Michael Preston, Ph.D.
    • Permanent Co-Chair: Danielle Nied
    • Co-Chair: Jason Vlastaras

Communications Team

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  • The Communications Team promotes best practices in web and print communications, fosters interdepartmental collaboration, and strengthens division-wide messaging. It evaluates the timeliness, audience, frequency, and delivery of communications, ensures alignment with the university brand, and offers marketing and communications training to departments. The committee also provides a space for sharing resources and addressing marketing challenges.

    • OVPSS Liason: Bill Mattera, Ph.D.
    • Permanent Co-Chair: Amanda Cerreto 
    • Co-Chair: Abby Snowden

Risk Management Team

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  • The Risk Management Team assists the division by identifying, assessing, mitigating risks, and improving emergency preparedness across the division. The team oversees safety plans, continuity plans, and provides education and training to departments.

    • OVPSS Liason: Bill Mattera, Ph.D.
    • Co-Chair: Julie Saldiva

Recommended Teams

These three teams are recommended as having a member from each unit to represent their department and execute cross-functional needs of the division.

Awards & Recognition Team

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  • The Awards and Recognition Team strengthens community connections by organizing division-wide celebrations, awards, social, and mentoring programs. The team executes the Annual DSS Awards Banquet, Winter social, and the monthly Bobcat Brags program. This team plays a vital role in recognizing contributions that support the division’s mission, enhance staff morale, highlight staff achievements, and foster a culture of appreciation and engagement. 

    • OVPSS Liason: 
    • Co-Chair: Lindley Workman Alyea
    • Co-Chair: Marimar Zuniga

Staff Development Team

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  • The Staff Development Team enhances the work of the division through facilitating purposeful, innovative, and engaging activities that strive to educate, train, and develop all division staff. The team fosters professional growth in the division through executing intentional educational opportunities, division new employee orientation, and division monthly meetings. 

    • OVPSS Liason: Cynthia L. Hernandez, Ph.D.
    • Co-Chair: Danielle Nied
    • Co-Chair: Jasmine Jennings-Rentz

Technology

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  • The Technology Team ensures access to technological resources and supports the division’s IT needs. Each representative serves as the department’s voice in IT governance, policies, staffing needs, and planning for future technology requirements within the division.

    • OVPSS Liason: Bill Mattera, Ph.D.
    • Permanent Co-Chair: Kevin McCarty

Positional Teams

These three teams have a designated representative by position function within the department.

Administrative Resources

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  • The Administrative Resources Team provides a space for administrative staff to discuss and improve administrative functions across the division. University administrative staff manage a unique mix of service, student, and operational duties, support leadership with data-driven decisions and strategic initiatives, and play a vital role in keeping the university running smoothly. This team provides a space to coordinate, develop resources, and share knowledge related to functions of the position. 

    • OVPSS Liason: Cynthia L. Hernandez, Ph.D.
    • Permanent Co-Chair: Sonya Evans

Budget & Finance

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  • The Budget and Finance Team is the division’s primary resource for financial planning, forecasting, and management. It supports departments, coordinates university and division budgeting processes, and offers ongoing learning and professional development opportunities for budget managers.

    • OVPSS Liason: Bill Mattera, Ph.D.
    • Permanent Co-Chair: TBD

Facilities

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  • The Facilities Team collaborates closely with university facilities to provide excellent spaces and services that support student success. The team emphasizes proactive planning and problem-solving, managing projects and addressing challenges related to the division’s auxiliary facilities operations.

    • OVPSS Liason: Bill Mattera, Ph.D.
    • Permanent Co-Chair: Bill Mattera, Ph.D.