A Letter From The Vice President For Student Affairs
A college education is about much more than earning a degree. It is about becoming a thoughtful leader, a compassionate neighbor, an engaged citizen and a resilient human being.
Every day, the Division of Student Affairs creates the conditions for that transformation. We expand opportunities for learning within and outside the classroom, strengthen our culture of care, invest in student well-being and continue investing in our strategic plan, Forward Together, with one goal in mind: ensuring that every student thrives.
This report centers on year two of our five-year strategic plan and celebrates the extraordinary work of our staff, our campus partners, our families, our alumni and most importantly, our students. Together, we are creating a university where every student can learn, belong and thrive.
Thank you for believing in our students and for helping make Maryland a place where they can reach their full potential.
Patricia A. Perillo, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
By The Numbers
Behind every statistic is a student finding community and a sense of belonging, overcoming challenges, discovering purpose and preparing for what’s next.
2,700
4.2M
900K+
2M+
620
31,460
We Help Students Thrive
Student Affairs transforms everyday experiences into meaningful opportunities for growth through Terps Learn Everywhere, our co-curricular learning domains. Whether leading a student organization, participating in recreation, volunteering, working on campus or navigating life’s challenges, students build the skills and perspectives they will carry long after graduation.
Students Learn
Leadership programs, campus employment, orientation, civic engagement, student organizations, fraternity and sorority life, career readiness initiatives, and peer education all help students develop the philosophies, knowledge and skills employers and communities value most. Students don’t just learn what they want to do with their life; they learn who they want to be in their life.
Highlights:
- 54,639 Hours of leadership development and community engagement
- 5,000+ Resident Assistant sponsored program
- 355 Students hosted in dialogue sessions through the The Common Ground Dialogue Program
- 371 Events hosted by The Unity Center ranging from cultural programs to art exhibitions
Students Belong
Whether students find community in their residence hall, at Stamp, through student organizations, club sport teams, cultural celebrations or the Unity Center, Student Affairs creates spaces where every Terp can connect, contribute and belong.
Campus traditions and everyday moments alike foster pride, connection and a shared sense of home.
Highlights:
- 900+ Registered student groups
- 35,000 Attendees across 92 events
- 30,000 Terps Attended 152 events in the first eight weeks of the fall semester
Students Are Supported
Every student deserves to know they don’t have to navigate challenges alone. Asking for help is a strength, and receiving support can change the course of a student’s journey.
Student Affairs provides coordinated care that meets students where they are—academically, emotionally, financially and personally.
Highlights:
- 4,547 Registered ADS students
- 21,454 exams administered by ADS’s testing office
- $850,048 in DSA scholarships provided to 620 students
Student Well-Being
Thriving students are healthy students.
Well-being extends beyond physical health: it encompasses emotional wellness, meaningful relationships, healthy habits, spirituality or meaning-making, resilience, and opportunities to recharge.
Highlights:
- 35,933 Group fitness visits
- 130 Prevention workshops such as Bystander intervention, Consent Communication and Healthy Relationships
Strategic Plan In Action: Year Two
Our five-year strategic plan is more than a roadmap; it’s our shared commitment to creating a campus where every student thrives. Guided by six strategic commitments, we align our work across the division to maximize impact, strengthen collaboration and deliver meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom.
We Put Students First
Students are at the center of every decision we make.Student Affairs continued to expand Terps Learn Everywhere, strengthening learning opportunities that help students develop leadership, creative thinking, compassion and civic responsibility.
The Intern For A Day (IFAD) program facilitated 520 job shadow opportunities for students in workplace settings, increasing participants’ understanding of a career field by 97%.
Awarded 13 Terps Learn Everywhere Co-Curricular Learning Grants, funded through the Terp Family Fund, to support innovative programs and strengthen assessment across the division.
The Thrive Center for Essential Needs opened in Fall 2025 as UMD’s centralized hub for coordinated, trauma-informed support, connecting students to resources that reduce barriers and promote academic success.
We Invest In Our People
Extraordinary student experiences begin with extraordinary staff. Our staff are educators, mentors, advisors, advocates and caregivers. By investing in their well-being, leadership and professional growth, we strengthen our ability to serve students with excellence, compassion and purpose.
48 Student Affairs supervisors completed the University’s Excellence in Supervision program, building skills in communication, coaching, employee engagement and leadership.
193 unique staff members, representing all 17 Student Affairs departments, participated in divisional professional development programs, alongside colleagues from campus partner units.
Advanced a divisional workplace well-being framework to establish a shared vision for supporting employee wellness across Student Affairs.
We Create Caring And Inclusive Communities
Every student deserves to feel seen, valued and connected. Belonging is essential to student success.Student Affairs creates environments where students feel welcomed and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives, build meaningful relationships, engage across differences and develop a strong sense of place at Maryland.
Opened the Unity Center, a welcoming hub that supports more than 47 student organizations and creates opportunities for connection, collaboration and belonging.
57 staff members from eight Student Affairs departments completed Restorative Practices Training, expanding the division’s capacity to build trust, repair harm and strengthen relationships through restorative approaches
Resident Life’s Dialogue & Community Advocate Program empowered undergraduate peer facilitators to strengthen community through 30 educational programs, 17 Heritage Month displays and 18 Resident Assistant trainings focused on identity, inclusion, dialogue and community engagement.
We Thrive As One Division
Student success is a shared responsibility. Across Student Affairs, teams work together—and with campus partners—to share expertise, strengthen resources and create seamless experiences that help every Terp thrive.
Advanced a unified Division-wide onboarding framework to create a more consistent experience for new staff while strengthening connections to our mission, values, and culture.
Through the Adaptive Recreation + Adventure Program, RecWell expanded inclusive recreation opportunities and strengthened staff capacity to support participants with diverse abilities.
We Align Our Practices With Our Values
Our values are reflected not only in what we do— but in how we do it. Behind every meaningful student experience is a strong operational foundation.
Developed a draft Policy & Procedures Standards Guide: The Blueprint, a division-wide framework that establishes consistent standards for policy creation, governance, review, storage, accessibility, version control and continuous improvement across Student Affairs
Designed support and implementation resources, including standardized policy templates, policy review checklists and a Policy Management Maturity Model to guide departments in their efforts to improve consistency, transparency and continuous improvement
We Strengthen Our Foundations
Strong foundations create extraordinary student experiences. Responsible stewardship of our facilities, finances and operations ensures that Student Affairs can continue to create exceptional experiences today while preparing for tomorrow.
The Terp Family Fund awarded 55 projects, investing more than $303,000 in innovative student-centered initiatives during FY26. Since its launch, the fund has provided more than $800,000 to advance learning, belonging, well-being, and student success.
Advanced division-wide planning to prioritize capital renewal projects that enhance safety, functionality and the student experience
Developed the “Home Base: Your Finance and Administration Guide”: a new business resources and operational guide to strengthen consistency, financial literacy and continuity across departments.
Looking Ahead
As we continue implementing Forward Together, we remain focused on expanding opportunities for learning, strengthening connected communities of care, investing in student and staff well-being and building partnerships that help every Terp thrive.