Document Type

Doctor of Education Capstone

Original Publication Date

2023

Client

Dr. Reuban Rodriguez, VCU Dean of Students

Location

Richmond, VA, United States

Date of Submission

May 2023

Abstract

Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) Dean of Students office submitted a Request for Assistance with needs related to food and housing insecurity and lack of basic funds for students. To address this request, a doctoral Capstone team conducted a problem and context analysis, literature review, student focus groups, and an internal survey of departments. The goal was to explore the undergraduate experience of unmet needs and to identify gaps and overlaps in basic needs support and services already provided at VCU. Findings suggest that students do not know the resources available to them through the Dean of Students office, that students feel variable support in meeting their basic needs by VCU, and that institutional collaboration is limited around data sharing and services. The Capstone team identified critical challenges for the Dean of Students office, the greater VCU community, and strategies to improve the Culture of Care. Recommendations focused on tangible actions for the DOS office and others to make pertaining to basic needs insecurity and reframing the responsibility to reflect a campus-wide mindset, increasing awareness and usage of basic needs services, and leveraging data to maximize support.

Rights

© The Authors

Share

COinS