Division of Student Affairs

The Office of the VPSA oversees the Division of Student Affairs, which is home to eight (?) other offices focused on making sure that every student can participate in a campus environment that encourages them to grow and develop as a whole person. The Division of Student Affairs seeks to be transparent in the way we do our work and to engage with students and all stakeholders in ways that improve the services we provide and the experiences of all the students we serve.

Mission Statement

With students at the heart of what we do, the Division of Student Affairs advances Pitzer's mission and core values by providing student-centered support services and an engaging co-curricular program. We are committed to the holistic development of students, challenging them to live with integrity, empowering them to be active participants in their own experience, facilitating opportunities to help find a sense of belonging, build relationships across differences, and become engaged members of a globally responsible and communal society. 

Our Commitment to Student Development

We are committed to helping students grow and develop as whole persons. We have adopted living/learning outcomes that we strive to cultivate in each of our students. The skills, values, and knowledge students acquire through our programs are essential to enable them to act effectively in key life areas. In this process, we hope to foster well-being, leadership, and life skills so that they can thrive personally and intellectually at Pitzer and beyond. 

The living-learning outcomes we cultivate include:

Leadership and Citizenship

The ability to be interpersonally effective in a way that serves others, advances the common good, and empowers others to take on leadership roles. This involves being able to positively influence and direct groups of people; motivate, manage, and define goals; be empathetic to the needs of others; and demonstrate a commitment to community.

Community and Social Justice

The ability to collaborate with diverse community members to build healthy and just communities. This requires cultural humility and being mindful of how we may have proximity to privilege or power, how global and institutional change starts with local and personal actions, and how to create safe spaces for marginalized people and ideas.

Self-Efficacy

The ability to care for and develop oneself intellectually, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  The ability to make positive choices, engage in self-reflection, advocate for oneself, discern appropriate life goals, and pursue them effectively.

Identity and Values

The ability to connect one’s life to a larger context of meaning.  The ability to articulate personal beliefs and translate them into ethically consistent life choices.

From the Division of Student Affairs, Welcome to Pitzer College and our dynamic family. As the new Vice President for Student Affairs, I am energized and grateful to join such a warm and engaged community of students who care so much about each other, and the community at large and who hope to do good in the world. I am excited about the experiences you will have here and the unique impact each of you will have on this College and beyond.    

   
Your journey at Pitzer will stretch far beyond the academic experience. While you’re here, you’ll be exposed to new ideas and meet people with a variety of experiences that may differ from your own. We hope you embrace the opportunities this presents and view each new engagement and conversation as a way to learn and grow.   
 
We are dedicated to supporting and partnering with you throughout your entire time at Pitzer so that you can engage fully with all that Pitzer has to offer.  We are deeply committed to our vision to build healthy, equitable, and meaningful student learning experiences both for and with you.
   
In the Division of Student Affairs, our students are our purpose. Whether it's connecting with other students who challenge or identify with your perspectives, stretching your understanding of yourself and your world through trainings and programs, caring for yourself, or gaining a better sense of what you value or believe, we are all here for you. 
  
Our experienced and caring staff are focused on your health and well-being; the importance of DEIBJ in our work; and student engagement in a variety of ways. I encourage you to explore our departments and student support and resources, and connect with our team. You can also connect directly with me via email, as we see each other on campus, or schedule a time during my open conversation hours (Tuesdays 2-4 pm); I look forward to getting to know many of you.   
 
In closing, we are grateful that you chose to join the Pitzer family, and we will be here for you, walking beside you in challenging moments and celebrating your many successes along the way.   
 
Again, welcome to Pizer! 
In Community & Collaboration  
  
Andrés Fernández   
Vice President for Student Affairs