Campus Life and Student Support

The Division of Student Affairs empowers students to grow, connect, and lead through areas focusing on disability justice and resources, sexual respect education, international student life, mental health and counseling, living learning communities, and other forms of support and engagement. We create a thriving campus community that prepares students for success beyond graduation with holistic programs focused on well-being, inclusion, leadership, adulthood, and service.

Your gift will support our efforts of student support and thriving.

Mental Health and Counseling
Our Counseling and Health Promotion teams continue to support our diverse and driven community: the BIPOC Support Coordinator serves students of various identities, leading efforts to break down systemic barriers, and our Care Coordinator ensures students are connected to resources both on and off campus, partnering with our vibrant Twin Cities community. Additionally, a mental health curriculum has been launched across First Year Courses, equipping students with skills to support their peers, have authentic conversations, and bring therapy animals to campus! You can support positive mental health at Macalester by donating to these initiatives: decreasing stigma, preventing suicide, and empowering our students!

Living-Learning Communities
Over the last academic year, Residential Life moved specialty and themed housing opportunities into a program with a larger vision, strategic alignment, and coordination. Language Houses, Eco House, Cultural House (moving to Summit House), residential First-Year Communities, The Layover: A Study Away Community (moved to Kirk Section 8 and rebranded), Perspective in Leadership (new next year), Substance Free Affirming Community, and Veggie Co-op are considered Living Learning Communities moving forward. The Living Learning Communities (LLC) umbrella focuses on enhancing the college experience by promoting academic success and student engagement within a residential community.

Every $10 donated allows a student to have funding for a meal to discuss their experience with their fellow students in the LLC.

Sexual Respect Education
The Health Promotion and Sexual Respect team works to support healthy relationships, build a norm for consent, and prevent harm. This year, we traveled with students to a health and well-being conference, ensuring they are set to become our next leaders in the field through development with doctors, counselors, and public health professionals. Additionally, Macalester partnered with four local advocacy groups to support survivors of violence in identity-specific ways! Your support will ensure these pivotal partnerships and opportunities continue to make Macalester a leader in creating a culture that supports sexual health and values everyday consent!

Disability Justice and Resources

It has been an exciting year for the Center for Disability Resources (CDR), marked by continued growth. The number of students with disabilities supported by the center has increased, now representing 30% of the student body. The Mentor-Up program successfully expanded from a one-semester format to a full-year program, offering enhanced engagement and more mentoring opportunities. In collaboration with Career Exploration, the program also focused on intentional programming for resume building. Additionally, the CDR reimagined its annual Radical Mac Access Disability Awareness initiative, transforming it into a semester-long program model, providing opportunities for education and awareness for students, faculty, and staff throughout the semester. Your gift will contribute to the continued success of our programming.