Over the past year, the Retention Task Force has worked diligently to research the most effective tactics to improve student engagement and positively affect retention at the college. As you walk the campus this summer, you will find one of the central recommendations of the Task Force Report in the lower level of Old Main. In July, Canisius opened the Griff Center for Academic Engagement to create a layered network of support and an engaging experience for all students.
The mission of the Griff Center is to provide a comprehensive range of programs, services, and resources to support student academic and career success. The Griff Center will serve as a hub for academic and career advising and has staff ready to assist students in their academic and professional development. The programs and services offered here are designed to facilitate Canisius’ mission to provide transformative learning experiences that are grounded in our Catholic, Jesuit identity and values.
Located in OM 013, the Griff Center is responsible for:
- New Student Orientation
- Academic and career advisement for new students, student-athletes and undecided majors
- A 4-year career development plan for all students
- Continuous career support for alumni
- Coordination of existing internships programs and development of new programs to ensure that all students have internship opportunities
- The Academic Mentoring Program
- Accessibility Support (formerly disability support services)
- Veteran student support
- Academic advisement support for Griff 101 facilitators
- A new parent communication program
The Tutoring and Study Center and the College’s general proctor site are also a part of the Griff Center, but will remain located on the 3rd floor of Old Main.
Leading the Griff Center is Anne Marie Dobies, who has been promoted to assistant vice president in recognition of her expanding scope of responsibilities. She will report jointly to Terri L. Mangione, PhD, vice president for Students Affairs and dean of students and Richard A. Wall, PhD, vice president for Academic Affairs. Ms. Dobies has been at the college for 20 years and previously served as associate dean of students and director of Student Academic Support Services. In her new role, she will oversee all Griff Center operations and supervise eleven staff members and seven graduate assistants. Jennifer Herrmann has been promoted to assistant dean for new students. Jennifer has a Master’s degree in Counselor Education from Canisius and has been at the college since 2006. Jennifer will serve as a point person for all new undergraduate students assisting them in their transition to the Canisius community.
The Griff Center is a new organizational structure within the college and the product of careful study of the student success and retention issues on campus. The cross-trained staff will provide advisement, career and internship services, orientation programming for undergraduate and graduate students, and academic support services. The center will also coordinate with faculty to provide data and resources that can positively impact student success, and it includes an increased focus on parent engagement. This more efficient and comprehensive approach to student engagement involves a number of personnel changes. Their titles and primary responsibilities follow:
| Anne Marie Dobies | Assistant Vice President/Director
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| Jennifer Herrmann | Assistant Dean for New Students
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| Eileen Abbatoy | Associate Director
4-year career development, undecided majors, alumni liaison
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| Nicole Scaccia | Assistant Director
Academic and career advisement for Freshmen
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| Connie Pileri | Director, New Student Orientation
Associate Director Academic and career advisement for student-athletes
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| Patricia Coward, PhD | Associate Director
Academic and career advisement for transfer students Liaison to academic departments/student outcomes data
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| Sierra Rapone | Senior Counselor
Accessibility and Veteran Support Academic Mentoring Program
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| Donna Ortolani | Senior Counselor
Parent Communication Program Graduate Orientation
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| Tracy Callaghan | Coordinator
Study and Tutoring Center/General Proctor Site
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| Diane Wolfe | Administrative Associate |
Also new this fall as a result of the Retention Task Force’s work, is Griff 101, the First-Year Experience Program. This initiative will ensure that every freshman is positively engaged in the Canisius community within the first weeks of the fall semester. With over 40 Griff 101 themes, students are certain to find a favorite from offerings as fun and diverse as exploring Buffalo, sports, cooking, theatre, flash mob dancing, and art of all kinds. These experiences will help freshmen engage in the life and spirit of Canisius by connecting students with their peers, faculty, and staff who share common interests. Not only enjoyable, the program has an important academic role. Griff 101 facilitators will serve as academic advisers along with faculty members in the students’ majors to provide multiple layers of academic support for freshmen.
We are excited about the potential this collaborative effort holds for the success of our students and the life-long learning and alumni support made possible through the Griff Center.
Submitted by Terri L. Mangione, PhD, vice president for student affairs and dean of students
