Student Development and Success
It is the mission of the Division of Student Development and Success to build a culture of engagement by involving students in activities and educational opportunities designed to support and empower each student to reach their unique potential as an effective citizen and leader. We believe the Alverno educational experience extends beyond the classroom to students’ co-curricular involvement. Students who engage in student development programs, activities, and services will achieve personal, interpersonal and community learning outcomes in the areas of leadership, life skills, and multicultural development.
The Division of Student Development and Success includes the Dean of Students Office, Campus Safety, Athletics, Counseling Services, Residence Life, Student Engagement & Leadership, Student Success and the A-Store (campus retail store). The Division of Student Development and Success supports students and the Alverno Community by:
The Division of Student Development and Success prepares students personally and professionally for success at Alverno College and beyond. Students and their families are encouraged to take advantage of the various programs and services available to them on campus.
Student Engagement & Leadership
Students can join more than 40 student organizations and interest groups and have an active voice in what happens on campus. Following are examples of student groups:
Academic and Professional
Special Interest
The Student Activities Board (SAB) works with Student Engagement & Leadership to program events such as the Student Involvement Fair, Homecoming, weekly Funday Monday afternoon events, Main Stage events, Community Service Day, Student Group Council, and a variety of family programs.
Students are encouraged to become involved in Alverno Student Government (ASG) through elected or volunteer positions. ASG works to represent the student voice on campus by developing different initiatives such as student organization funding and by sponsoring a variety of civic-minded events. Elections are held every fall and spring semester. Inquiries can be sent to asg@alverno.edu.
Students may also serve as Alverno College ambassadors, peer leaders, or community advisors. Ambassadors are student representatives who, under the auspices of the Admissions Office, work with prospective students during the recruitment process, primarily by giving campus tours. Peer leaders are current students who work with a campus committee to welcome and introduce new students to campus resources during orientation events throughout the summer and before each semester. They continue working during the academic year by serving as leaders in the First Year Seminar courses. Community advisors, sponsored by the Residence Life department, serve as resources, peer counselors, and program planners in the residence halls.
Relaxing and Gathering on Campus
There are a number of different locations on campus for students to gather, study, and relax. The Inferno Café is the perfect place to meet up with friends and enjoy top-quality lattes, espressos, and cappuccinos along with fresh bakery in a setting that includes comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi. The Inferno Café offers great grab-n-go food selections—or it can be a quiet place to sit before heading back to class or to the library.
In addition to the Inferno Café, there is a “zen den” called the OASIS Wellbeing Clubhouse in FO 319. This is a communal space for students to take a “time out” to give themselves “time in.” The space has comfortable furniture, a fish tank, live plants, puzzles and games, a space to do homework or arts & crafts. There is a second “zen den” for resident students in the lower level of Austin Hall. There are other areas throughout campus that offer small meeting tables and chairs or other soft furniture for impromptu meetings or study sessions.
Care, Belong, and Flourish
Alverno has a strong focus on wellness. Each semester, one-credit wellness courses are offered, including yoga, meditation, leadership, developing stress resilience, and study skills. Wellness courses are also offered through other college departments, such as Dance and Theater Arts, and through the college’s continuing education program. These classes range from sculpting and painting to meditation, and from ballet, jazz, and tap to yoga and belly dancing.
The Alverno Fitness Center houses state-of-the-art equipment for weight training as well as cardiovascular equipment including elliptical machines and treadmills. Membership in the Fitness Center is free and use of locker room facilities.
Counseling Services
The office of Counseling Services assist students in assessing their personal, physical, and emotional needs and in making healthy life choices. They oversee the student health insurance plan and resident students’ immunization records. They provide wellness workshops and programs for all students. Many students also seek out the counselors and nurse for information on health-related topics for papers and class projects.
Counseling Services provides free and confidential individual counseling. Students seek counseling to help them deal with the challenges of life, such as adjusting to college life, depression and anxiety, relationship issues, time and stress management, and grief and loss. Counseling Services also provides consultations for special problems such as eating disorders, stress-related illnesses, and alcohol and substance abuse.
Appointments are appreciated. Walk-ins are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dining Services
Alverno’s dining services partner always strives to prepare meals to meet a variety of students’ tastes & flavors from around the globe. Every day in Hudson’s, several different entrées, build your own bowls, plus options for Wellness and vegan/vegetarian options, are available. The Grill offers student favorites like Cheeseburgers, Chicken Tenders and fries, plus a host of other options. The made-to-order Deli station includes various breads & wraps so students can customize their sandwich. On the Go Cooler boasts a plentiful array of salads, wraps and snacks like fruit cups, veggie cups, hummus, yogurts, etc. Hudson's Servery also offers fresh-made soups, a create-your-own salad bar, and hot and cold beverages.
The Inferno Café has a plethora of coffee & espresso drinks, pastries, and snacks. Stop in and grab a drink and a sandwich from your favorite barista!
The Commons is open late for studying and socializing. If you have special dietary needs, or if you have questions regarding dining services, feel free to contact the director of Dining Services at 414-382-6304.
Expanding into the Community
We believe that what you experience at Alverno is a classroom without walls. Your learning can happen on campus in Milwaukee and in another country if you choose to study abroad. Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan, the city of Milwaukee offers a wide range of recreational and cultural activities. Milwaukee is the home of major league baseball and basketball teams, natural history and art museums, a ballet company, a symphony orchestra, numerous theater companies, wonderful restaurants, and beautiful parks.
Milwaukee is known for its clean and friendly communities and for its rich ethnic heritage. This diversity is celebrated throughout the year with many festivals and special events. All the benefits of one of the Great Lakes — strolling the beach, sailing, and fishing — are likewise available to students. A clean and convenient public transportation system enables the student to get to all these activities quickly and cost effectively. Students will find unlimited opportunities to grow, play, and relax. (For additional information about Milwaukee, see the following websites: https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/& https://onmilwaukee.com/.)
Whether a student lives on or off campus, the Alverno student’s life experience involves a network of broad network — students, staff, faculty, and administrators — who share the desire to see students achieve their goals and expand their horizons.