Student Life

Eric Riedel, Vice President & Dean of Students
B.A., Rutgers University;
M.A., Indiana University;
C.A.G.S. The University of Chicago
Email: Riedeler@hiram.edu

Michael Corr, Associate Dean of Students
B.S., M.S., SUNY Plattsburgh
Email: Corrmf@hiram.edu

Carol Bowlin, Administrative Assistant
A.T.S Kent State University
Email: Bowlincj@hiram.edu

web address: http://www.hiram.edu/current/offices/studentlife.html

Introduction
The Student Life Staff is a group of student development professionals working as educators to provide programs and services in support of the academic mission of the college. By making opportunities available for students to integrate knowledge with experience, they promote learning in an intellectual environment, both in and out of the classroom. The focus of our student life program is to foster personal growth of the individual student, especially in the areas of self-reliance and effectively relating to others. Hiram has a commitment to helping students develop compassion and sensitivity across issues of difference.

 

Interactions with the student life staff, involvements with student organizations, participating in service opportunities, and being a member of the residential community provide experiences in which students can develop and test their skills. Students are challenged through serving in responsible leadership positions and by being held accountable for their actions and their impact on others. The enrollment of a student is seen as a pledge to become familiar with and accept the standards of the community as outlined in the student handbook. Support for students in this learning process is provided through training, advising, counseling and other support services.

The Vice President & Dean of Students and other members of the student life staff serve as resources for students in problem-solving and understanding the campus systems and policies. They also serve as advocates for students within the college community. The Vice President & Dean of Students oversees the budgets, programs, and functions of the student life divisions. New Student Orientation is coordinated through the Dean of Students office.

 

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Academic Services

Frank Hemphill, Director of Student Academic Services
B.S., Western Kentucky University ;
M.Ed., Kent State University
Email: hemphillfj@hiram.edu

web address: http://www.hiram.edu/current/academics/studentacademicservices.html

Introduction
Student Academic Services are available in a variety of locations on campus. These services provide a structured outreach to students who are not achieving their full academic potential. The primary function of these services is to contact students who are underachieving, develop a rapport with them and evaluate the personal, academic, and social factors that may be negatively influencing their academic performance, as well as provide effective advising, and/or specific academic services. Ultimately, our goal is to improve a student’s academic and personal achievements.

Academic services consist of the following components:

(1) An academic advising service is available to all students and is designed to assist them in reaching their academic goals each term. The service consists of goal setting, time management, and development of study strategies for any academic subject. Students availing themselves of this service will be engaged in a team effort with their professors, their faculty advisor, and other essential college resources to assist them in achieving their maximum academic potential and personal goals, (2) a peer-tutoring program which links students having academic difficulty with students who are highly competent in their area of need, (3) a Science Learning Center which provides students experiencing academic difficulty in a biology, chemistry, or physics course with one-on-one small group tutoring sessions on a one-time or regularly scheduled basis. The student tutors staffing the Center are selected and trained by biology, chemistry, or physics professors currently teaching these science courses, (4) a Writing Center which connects students who need assistance in planning and writing college papers with students who are specially trained to help.

 

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The Career Center

Kathryn Craig, Director of the Career Center and Coordinator of Community Service
B.A. Carleton College ;
M.A. The Ohio State University
Email: Craigkm@hiram.edu

Michael O’Connor , Assistant Director of the Career Center
B.S. University of Connecticut
M.S. State University of New York at Binghamton
Email: Oconnormk@hiram.edu

web address: http://www.hiram.edu/career/index.html

Introduction
Hiram College recognizes that career planning is an important part of development in college. The Career Center , located in Hinsdale 101, offers students opportunities to develop lifelong skills in self-assessment, career research, and job search techniques.

A number of tools are available to help students with these tasks. In addition to personal counseling, classes in career planning and job search are taught every semester. A career library including information on choice of majors, occupational outlook, and job opportunities is available for any student.

The Career Center encourages students to make appropriate use of technology in their career planning. FOCUS, a computer-assisted guidance software, helps students explore their interests and values, generate additional career options, and research careers. The Career Center website includes extensive resources for career exploration and job search including access for students and alums to Hiram CareerNet, our online employment and internship database. Students and alums may also access the Alumni Career Network online to contact alums who have volunteered to provide current students with career advice and networking. Hiram College alums participate enthusiastically in Alumni Career programs and attend our Career Fair.

Internships are an important part of the career planning process. Students work with their advisers and with the Assistant Director of the Career Center to plan their internships. Hiram students have learned from internships in such diverse settings as the Bronx Zoo, the Smithsonian, NASA, and the Cleveland Browns.

As students near graduation, they may participate in a wide range of activities to learn lifelong job-seeking skills. Workshops on resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, and marketing their liberal arts skills are held throughout the year. In addition, speakers from the community share their expertise with seniors.

The Career Center also offers three courses in Student Development: 610 Career Exploration, 611 Job Search Skills and 210.30 Work and Learning in a Changing World. See course descriptions for more information.

 

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Community Service Office

Email: CommunityService@hiram.edu

Introduction
The Community Service Program at Hiram College strives to “enable students of all ages to develop as intellectually alive, socially responsible, ethical citizens ready for leadership and for continuous professional growth.” Community service and giving back to the community has always been an important part in the lives and development of Hiram students.

Throughout the year, students participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities that impact and benefit not only Portage County , but also the greater metropolitan area of Cleveland . Whether it’s working with animals, children, the elderly, or helping out at Hiram House Camp, there are numerous ways to get involved. In addition, the Elementary Tutoring Program has been assisting local children for over fifteen years, by pairing up Hiram College students to serve as tutors and mentors.

The Community Service Office (CSO) serves as a resource center and a link to the community for students, faculty, and staff who are interested in volunteering and exploring themselves. The CSO office is located in the Kennedy Center .

 

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Counseling Center

Lynn Taylor, Director of Counseling
B.A., Western Michigan University;
M.Ed., Ph.D., Kent State University
E-mail: Taylorlb@hiram.edu

web address: http://www.hiram.edu/current/studentservices/counseling.html

Introduction
The college years are a period of transition and growth. It is not at all unusual for students to feel a need to talk about challenging and worrisome issues in their lives. Emotional health is important to an overall sense of well-being. We want Hiram College students to be able to fully participate in both their academic life and their campus involvements. The Counseling Center is available to provide assistance and support to students during difficult times in their lives or simply to provide a listening ear. Working with a counselor can help students define realistic goals and explore available options. The counseling process teaches improved decision-making skills, helps clarify feelings and needs, helps develop greater self-confidence, enables more effective coping with feelings of depression or anxiety, and assists with clarifying a variety of other issues. The focus of the Hiram College Counseling Center is to help students with the normal, short-term issues that are typical of their age. Some of the typical concerns for which students seek counseling are: self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, situational depression or anxiety, substance use/abuse, family conflicts, loneliness, and stress management. Students who have mental health issues that are long term in nature, chronic or those requiring specialized treatment will need to seek treatment with a mental health provider in one of the neighboring communities.

If a student desires mental health services outside of Hiram College , or if the counselor and student determine that more extensive help is needed than can be provided through on-campus services, the Counseling Center will attempt to help the student locate a mental health provider within their insurance network. Fees for off campus appointments will be the financial responsibility of the student. Students are also responsible for providing their own transportation to these appointments. Although Hiram College provides a variety of supportive services, it does not address the therapeutic needs of students with significant emotional problems.

Information shared with a counselor remains confidential and in no way reflects upon the student’s academic record. The Counseling Center does not release information without the student’s knowledge and consent, unless state or federal law mandates release of that information or there is clear indication of threat to the safety of the student or to the community at large.

 

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Disability Services

Lynn Taylor, Director of Counseling & Student Disability Services
B.A., Western Michigan University;
M.Ed., Ph.D., Kent State University
Email: Taylorlb@hiram.edu

web address: http://www.hiram.edu/current/studentservices/disabilityservices.html

Introduction

The College makes every effort to provide reasonable assistance to students with permanent or temporary disabling conditions. In providing support services to students with special needs, our goal is not only to provide the support that is needed in order to have the opportunity for academic success here at Hiram, but also to help develop both the functional skills and the skills of self-advocacy that will help students in their life after Hiram..

In order for accommodation requests to be considered, the following documentation must be provided: diagnosis of the disability, current documentation of the disability written within the past three years, educational, developmental and medical history relevant to the disability; copy of the most recent reports or evaluation containing the actual scores used to diagnose the presence of a learning disability; specific information on how the disability interferes with college life and academic performance, and suggested accommodations. The College reserves the right to require more detailed or more current documentation when necessary to consider accommodation requests. Students are encouraged to contact the Director of Counseling early in their college career to discuss any anticipated special needs.

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Student Health Services

Gayle Galan, M.D.
Sherry Swanson, R.N.-M.S.N., Director, Student Health Services
Email: swansonss@hiram.edu

web address: http://www.hiram.edu/current/studentservices/healthservices.html

Introduction:
Hiram College Student Health Services, located in the Julia Church Health Center , offers primary health care for a residential college community. In addition, we integrate primary care with epidemiological and educational services that both prevent and heal. Good physical/mental/spiritual health and health habits enhance one’s ability to learn and achieve.

During clinic hours students receive care/education by a nurse practitioner; additionally, a physician sees students by appointment during weekly clinics. After hours and on weekends a registered nurse is on call for health concerns.

All full time students are automatically charged for the student health insurance plan cost in their tuition/fees billing. The plan cost is determined on a yearly basis. Students may waive participation in the student health insurance plan by demonstration of other health plan coverage. In order to waive this student policy, a student health insurance waiver form must be completed and returned with fees and tuition.

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Ethnic Diversity Affairs

Detra West , Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Ethnic Diversity Affairs
B.S., Valdosta State University;
M.A., Cleveland State University
Email: Westde@hiram.edu

web address: http://www.hiram.edu/current/offices/diversityresources.html

Introduction:
The mission of the Office of Ethnic Diversity Affairs is to enhance the intellectual and personal growth of all students, faculty, and staff by encouraging an environment on our campus which fosters an appreciation for diversity. This is accomplished through providing programs, resources, and other opportunities for discussion and interaction which stimulate an awareness of diversity issues.

This office is also responsible for providing leadership in developing, implementing, and coordinating student support services and activities designed to assist in the personal development, academic achievement, and retention of the under-represented students on campus. The activities in this area include the minority student peer mentoring program, advising of student organizations, support groups for under-represented students, and social activities, workshops, and seminars. These students receive guidance in areas relevant to success on campus, general adjustment, community involvement, and leadership development.

 

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International Student Support Services

Taryn Hale, Coordinator of International Student Services
B..A., Ohio State University
M.Ed.., Youngstown State University
Email: haletm@hiram.edu