About the Division

April Vari, '82 - Vice President for Student Development

Dickinson’s mission is to provide a “useful education” that prepares students for citizenship and leadership in a democracy and global society.  This mission extends beyond the classroom walls and into student and campus life. The staff and departments within the Division of Student Development support the college’s mission by:

        Preparing students for the complexities of leadership and citizenship

        Fostering a safe, healthy, supportive and inclusive environment in 
        which students can learn and succeed

        Engaging students in a process that will help them determine how they
        will lead meaningful professional and personal lives.

At Dickinson, meaningful engagement in residential and organizational life will allow you to make friends and explore new interests.  Purposeful engagement provides you with opportunities to develop the practices of citizenship. By working with and learning from students with different ideas, backgrounds and experiences, your own world view will expand.  By wrestling with complex challenges of organizational life, you will develop invaluable insights for the workplace and for community and volunteer engagement.  Through thoughtful consideration of issues and ideas and activities that you care about, you will begin to develop your voice as a leader, and a citizen.  All of this will combine to help you determine what role you want to play in our society and the greater world.

On our divisional web site, you will find information about the many programs, offices and activities that are here to support your success, to enrich your learning, and to promote an enjoyable college experience.