Issuu

YEAR

DIVISION OF CAMPUS LIFE

IMPACT REPORT WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

PG. 3

FEATURED STORY

LETTER FROM DR. SHEA

THEME

PG. 6-11 REIMAGINING THE CAMPUS AS A CLASSROOM

FEATURED STORY

ATHLETIC PARTNERSHIP: UNITING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND CAMPUS TRADITION

THEME

PG. 42-51 ELEVATING OUR CONSCIOUSNESS OF CARE

FEATURED STORY

PG. 26-27

PG. 62-63

A LIFELONG SENSE OF BELONGING: STAYING CONNECTED BEYOND RETIREMENT

TAKING ROOT: HOW ZEEK JACKSON CULTIVATED COMMUNITY IN THE FOREST

02 THEME

03 THEME

PG. 4-5

PG. 12-25 INSPIRING ONE WAKE FOREST

PG. 28-41 CREATING PATHWAYS TO LEADERSHIP, MEANING AND PURPOSE

PG. 52-61 MAXIMIZING SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND RESOURCES

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

REIMAGINING THE CAMPUS AS A CLASSROOM

We honor individual identities, stories, and strengths while connecting to our shared experiences as Wake Foresters. This theme calls on us to foster a unified community that is deeply committed to an inclusive University for all.

CREATING PATHWAYS TO LEADERSHIP, MEANING AND PURPOSE We view leadership as a process and not always a position. Leadership is accessible to all students and all staff. Leading lives of meaning and purpose requires us to identify pathways to leadership, map our core values to our actions, connect to life after college, identify talents and strengths and build frameworks for radical collaboration on campus, in the local community, and beyond.

ELEVATING OUR CONSCIOUSNESS OF CARE We strive to match our care for one another with our academic rigor and reputation. We value supporting the whole person and our responsibility in creating a safe and healthy campus.

THEME

The following pages illuminate the rich composite of the Wake Forest student experience and are organized by our strategic themes. In service to students, we are honored to share these stories of impact.

INSPIRING ONE WAKE FOREST

THEME

At Wake Forest, the campus is a classroom, and learning extends beyond traditional spaces. We are all teachers and learners. Through experiential opportunities — such as navigating wellbeing, planning events, expanding leadership capacity, engaging in difficult conversations and fostering holistic personal growth — our students develop critical and creative thinking skills.

THEME

The Division of Campus Life at Wake Forest University is dedicated to fostering a campus community where every individual is valued, included and empowered to flourish. Our purpose is rooted in our motto, Pro Humanitate (“for humanity”). Across the division, we have long prioritized assessment and evaluation. Recently, our focus has shifted to evidence-based practice. While participation and satisfaction data are important, we aim to answer the more compelling question: “Why did it matter?” The subsequent pages of this impact report provide the answers.

Learning is not limited to formal spaces. The campus as a classroom means we integrate our work, giving strong consideration for learning, impact, and how our work deepens the richness of the engaged liberal arts. Our work adds value by creating an inclusive learning experience for all.

THEME

LETTER FROM DR. SHEA

MAXIMIZING SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND RESOURCES

VICE PRESIDENT FOR CAMPUS LIFE

We prioritize opportunities to maximize our operational approaches. Consistency also connects to our deep commitment to equity for all. Ensuring students and staff experience the same level of support, challenge and connection is critical to our deeply relational culture.

THEME

SHEA KIDD BROWN

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

TAKING ROOT: How Zeek Jackson Cultivated Community in the Forest

ZEEK JACKSON

‘

It is not every day a slot receiver on the football team returns to his residence hall to lead more than 40 students through their first year of college. At Wake Forest, it is a first. Student-athlete Zeek Jackson ('27) served as the first Wake Forest football player to work as a resident adviser (RA). He balanced the demands of an athletic schedule with a drive to help first-year students navigate college. He drew from his personal experience to mentor student-athlete residents managing academic and athletic demands. He went beyond standard expectations to ensure each resident felt seen, safe and supported. He knew every resident by name and consistently created opportunities for engagement. To encourage connection, he created a photo-point competition where residents

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

REIMAGINING THE CAMPUS AS A CLASSROOM

earned points by taking photos with him at campus events. During a campus snowstorm, he organized a snowball fight to help residents maintain social connections. As the hall’s intramural sports coach, Zeek led his residents to seven intramural championships, an experience he noted as a highlight of his time as an RA. Reflecting on his leadership and connection to the residential experience, Zeek noted, “My experience as an RA, leading residents to success, embodied the principle that ‘the way you do one thing is the way you do everything.’ The championships were some of the happiest moments I’ve ever seen my residents‘ experience. By building a community rooted in care, curiosity, conversation, study sessions, service opportunities and social events, residents gained the confidence to step outside their comfort zones and support one another.” In alignment with the We Are Wake initiative, Zeek hosted two mental health programs. His “Peace in Chaos” program introduced students to mindfulness meditation and connected them with resources at the University Counseling Center (UCC). Through peer mentorship, wellness programming and active engagement, Zeek demonstrated how residential spaces support student development and wellbeing. His dedication, positivity and people-first approach earned him the 2026 RA of the Year award.

INSPIRING ONE WAKE FOREST CREATING PATHWAYS TO LEADERSHIP, MEANING AND PURPOSE ELEVATING OUR CONSCIOUSNESS OF CARE MAXIMIZING SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND RESOURCES

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME 01 REIMAGINING THE CAMPUS AS A CLASSROOM Learning is not limited to formal spaces. The campus as a classroom means we integrate our work, giving strong consideration for learning, impact, and how our work deepens the richness of the engaged liberal arts. Our work adds value by creating an inclusive learning experience for all.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

Dan River Experiential Writing For two consecutive years, Outdoor Pursuits partnered with Assistant Teaching Professor Sebastián Terneus to bring students from his writing courses canoeing on the Dan River along the Virginia-North Carolina border to connect classroom learning with local environmental issues. Professor Terneus’ courses focused on water issues, and the trip gave students a firsthand opportunity to engage with those topics in the field.

“This collaboration allows students to combine academic sources with their own experience to create effective writing projects that educate our community.” Sebastián Terneus

ASSISTANT TEACHING PROFESSOR, WRITING PROGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

The trip helped students connect writing and classroom discussions to a real-world, local example while building a stronger connection to the surrounding community. By experiencing these issues directly on the river, students gained a clearer understanding of how environmental challenges shape surrounding ecosystems and communities. The partnership created a meaningful way for Outdoor Pursuits to support experiential learning while helping students build a deeper sense of place.

SHARAE FREEMAN

‘

EXPLORING THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM:

“This trip changed how I see the relationship between my education and the world around me. My writing became sharper after that day because I stopped writing about abstract problems. That trip did not just help me academically; it reminded me why I came to college in the first place: to connect what I learn with who I want to become.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

THE FOREST:

Where Living and Learning Intersect

The Forest continued to elevate the residential experience by shaping residence halls into dynamic learning environments. Through intentional initiatives such as Teaching Kitchens and community engagement opportunities facilitated by the Office of Civic and Community Engagement (OCCE), students engaged across differences, applied real-world concepts and developed a stronger sense of purpose during a critical transition period. Beyond the immediate student experience, The Forest strengthened collaboration among campus partners while contributing to an environment where learning happens everywhere.

The Forest expanded its impact by partnering with university offices to bring experiential learning directly to students where they live. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PILOT: Residence Life and Housing partnered with the OCCE to launch a civic engagement pilot study in Hopkins Hall. The initiative integrated a public health theme into the newly renamed residence hall to connect residential living directly with academic focus. Programming featured two targeted dialogue sessions and a spring narrative medicine workshop.

During the workshop, students practiced reading and reflective writing to build empathy and narrative competence. By exploring how stories shape human connection, this training equipped students to understand and support the whole person. Specifically, the project explored how intentional residential programming could support students’ sense of belonging, leadership development and purpose. Initial findings showed that participating students demonstrated stronger connections between community involvement and academic direction, alongside early increases in civic commitment and leadership skills.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

12,227

INDIVIDUAL DEAC CHATS

RESIDENCE HALLS

HARVEST TABLE COLLABORATION: Residence Life and Housing partnered with Harvest Table to deliver 10 unique culinary experiences designed to build community, strengthen connections and teach practical life skills. Every first-year residence hall hosted a Teaching Kitchen, featuring different chefs and menus ranging from street tacos and sushi to a resource-conscious charcuterie board. The partnership also launched the first Forest Cookout at Hopkins Hall and The Forest Supper Club, an exclusive dinner for first-year students nominated by Faculty Fellows. The Supper Club connected students with faculty and campus leaders through meaningful conversation, featuring special guest Professor Beth Hopkins (‘73). Resident advisers (RAs) led the effort to measure and support residential impact by successfully facilitating 12,227 individual Deac Chats over four touchpoints across 23 residence halls. Averaging a 76% student participation rate throughout the year, these structured, one-on-one conversations built trust and supported student growth. Grounded in topics directly aligned with the four pillars of The Forest (Community & Belonging, Personal Development, Life of the Mind and Pro Humanitate), these touchpoints converted routine check-ins into meaningful mentorship and advanced student belonging across campus.

76%

STUDENT PARTICIPATION RATE

RHIAN

RICHARDSON

‘

RESIDENT ADVISERS (RAS) SUPPORT RESIDENTIAL IMPACT

“My goal is to be a mentor to my residents, and Deac Chats create a space for residents to share their experiences and allow me to better understand how I can support them throughout their college experience as an RA.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

WAKE THE FOREST:

Navigating the First Six Weeks

To support the academic and personal transition into Campus Life, the "Wake The Forest" initiative connected first-year students with accessible opportunities for learning and engagement. Through campus-wide events and in-hall programming, students built relationships with peers, faculty and staff while gaining confidence navigating life at Wake Forest. Essential resources were brought directly into residential communities, including tabling led by the Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD) and the Center for Learning, Access and Student Success (CLASS). This initiative addresses a critical need: the Spring 2026 First-Year Student Pulse Survey identified academic pressure as a significant challenge for first-years. Importantly, the survey also demonstrated that students who established direct connections with faculty and staff reported 15% higher overall wellbeing, reinforcing the value of bringing experiential learning directly to residential spaces.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

THE STUDY TABLE:

Embedding Academic Support in Community

What began as a weekly gathering featuring light meals and basic-needs resources quickly doubled in frequency to twice weekly to meet demand. By spring 2026, The Study Table nearly doubled its engagement, growing from eight initial participants to a steady community of 15 undergraduates per session. The program drew students across all class years and academic disciplines. Through rotating weekly visits, campus partners provided direct access to staff and tutors from CLASS, Z. Smith Reynolds (ZSR) Library, Academic Advising, the Writing, Chemistry and Math Centers. Participants reported greater focus, increased productivity and a stronger sense of belonging, demonstrating how accessible academic support can strengthen both student success and overall wellbeing.

LONDON SPRINGS

‘

While Wake Forest University's academic environment is a defining pillar of the student experience, longitudinal trends from the First-Year Student Pulse Survey indicate that adjusting to these demands consistently ranks as a top challenge for incoming students. Echoed by feedback from their own survey, the Women’s Center launched The Study Table in fall 2025, creating an accessible space for all students to connect, study and thrive together.

01 27

“The Study Table created a space where students understood Wake Forest’s academic expectations, supported one another and could access campus resources in a low-stress environment.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME 02 INSPIRING ONE WAKE FOREST We honor individual identities, stories, and strengths while connecting to our shared experiences as Wake Foresters. This theme calls on us to foster a unified community that is deeply committed to an inclusive University for all.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

Expanding Club Sports Engagement Club Sports expanded its impact this year by giving students new opportunities for competition, leadership, community and belonging. Students trained, competed, traveled and led their organizations in ways that strengthened campus involvement and elevated school spirit. The year also reflected the evolving interests of the student body. As demand grew, students stepped forward with new ideas, and Campus Recreation responded by launching Women’s Rugby and a second Men’s Ice Hockey team. These additions opened more doors for participation and created new spaces where students could build community and represent Wake Forest through sport.

RECOGNIZED TEAMS

357 I 516 PARTICIPANTS FEMALE I

MALE

286

COMPETITIONS HOME I AWAY I

98 GAMES 188 GAMES

873

UNIQUE STUDENT PARTICIPANTS 17% OF UNDERGRADUATES

2 NEW

TEAMS LAUNCHED FEMALE I MALE I

11 MEMBERS 30 MEMBERS

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT TEAMS

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

NATIONAL CHAMPION SPOTLIGHT:

Club Softball

Club Softball delivered one of the year’s most inspiring achievements by capturing the National Club Softball Association (NCSA) Division II World Series title. Five years ago, the team stepped away from league play to rebuild its culture and create a sustainable foundation. Through intentional recruitment, strong leadership and a deep commitment to one another, the team rebuilt its identity.

JESSI

DICKERSON

‘

“The team became more than a group of players; it became a second family. We built friendships and connections that lasted far beyond college, and created an environment where people felt welcomed, supported and encouraged to grow.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

02 MARIA BASSETT

‘

Over the past two years, Club Softball reentered league competition, competed consistently and rose to become one of the top programs in the country. Their national championship reflected far more than athletic excellence; it showcased the resilience, dedication and community that define the Club Sports experience.

“Helping build this once small club into what it is today has been one of my most rewarding experiences at Wake. It brings me so much joy to know that our work created a place where women build lasting friendships and feel a true sense of belonging.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

WAKE FOR WOMEN:

Supporting Student-Athletes

Wake for Women channels student enthusiasm into meaningful support for Wake Forest’s women student‑athletes. Although interest in women’s sports continues to rise nationally, collegiate women’s teams often experience lower student turnout than men’s programs. At the same time, students actively seek spaces to build belonging, and athletic events offer an accessible and safe environment where those connections can form naturally. In response to student feedback, the program was reshaped this year, launching a punch‑card incentive initiative in collaboration with Wake Forest Athletics. The impact was immediate: 583 undergraduate students participated in the first year, collectively accounting for more than 1,100 tickets across four sports. From this momentum, new student leaders have emerged to keep expanding Wake for Women as a vibrant, community‑building space on campus.

PUNCH-CARD INITIATIVE Launched in collaboration with Wake Forest Athletics

583

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS Participated in the first year

1,100+ TICKETS

Across four sports

NEW

STUDENT LEADERS

Have emerged to keep expanding Wake for Women as a vibrant, community-building space on campus.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

02 ALVAREZ

‘

RONNY

“Seeing and supporting what my fellow students work hard to accomplish is a cornerstone of the Wake Forest experience. This is exactly what Wake for Women aims to do.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Cultural Engagement Through Monthly Lunch Series

Two years ago, the Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Center launched a monthly lunch series aligned with the Intercultural Center’s First Friday initiative. Building on that foundation, each center now hosts its own gathering during the month: the Women’s Center on the second Wednesday and the LGBTQ+ Center on the third Thursday, creating consistent, welcoming spaces for connection over a shared meal. Attendance grew significantly: the original series drew approximately 50 students, and with the shift to local vendors and diverse cuisines, each gathering welcomed more than 150 students. What began as a simple lunch evolved into a valued part of Campus Life where students across all class years, faculty, staff and visitors built relationships and learned about available resources in an informal, approachable setting. Featuring local caterers also strengthened ties with the surrounding community and supported small businesses. The series increased belonging, expanded cross-campus collaboration and made the identity centers more visible, accessible and integrated into daily Campus Life.

150+

The original series drew

The shift to local vendors drew

STUDENTS

THEN NOW

ERIC

CISNEROS

‘

“The Intercultural, Women's and LGBTQ+ Centers' monthly lunch series remind me and others that these centers and their resources are for everyone. By featuring in food from different cultures, it helped me bring more friends to these centers to learn about what they do. These monthly lunches build community on campus by reminding us that they are here to help.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Celebrating Religious and Cultural Traditions

By collaborating with 26 student organizations, campus partners, community vendors and performers, the festival provided a space for community‑building and learning beyond the classroom. Attendance data, student organization participation, campus and community partnerships, social media engagement and participant feedback all reinforce the value of creating intentional spaces for cultural celebration and connection.

02 AMY

GONZALEZHERNANDEZ

‘

The World Cultural Festival stands as a signature celebration that brings the Wake Forest community together to celebrate all cultures, identities and experiences represented across campus. Through live performances, cuisine, educational activities and student organization engagement, the festival creates a welcoming environment where undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, families and community members connect across differences.

“Events like the World Cultural Festival help me see how meaningful it is to create spaces where students can celebrate their identities. The festival is more than just an event; it’s an opportunity for students to find community, embrace their heritage and learn from one another.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Celebrating Religious and Cultural Traditions

Ramadan programming similarly strengthens the campus community by supporting Muslim students through communal meals, spiritual reflection, educational engagement and opportunities for campus‑wide participation. By honoring rich traditions and expanding multifaith engagement, these initiatives demonstrated how shared cultural experiences build lasting connections, deepen mutual understanding and empower every student to thrive in the spirit of Pro Humanitate.

OWAIS KAMRAN

‘

MUSLIM STUDENT ASSOCIATION, PRESIDENT

“Coordinating iftars and suhoor accommodations, and seeing our campus community come together has been deeply fulfilling. I am hopeful we can continue building a campus culture where all Muslim students feel seen, supported and at home.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Civil Discourse and Dialogic Leadership

Participants, particularly those in the NIFI workshops, developed stronger skills in navigating disagreement, weighing multiple perspectives and engaging in dialogue without a rush to resolution. Campus Life is extending the impact of these programs by creating Wake Forest-specific deliberation guides focused on belonging. These guides will provide a toolkit for dialogic practices across classrooms, residence halls and student organizations. Dialogue is increasingly recognized

02 on campus as a core leadership and civic skill that shapes a more connected, reflective campus community.

EVELYN SHATTO

‘

Deacon Dialogues, facilitated by the Office of Civic and Community Engagement (OCCE), evolved into a layered initiative that helps students engage across differences with curiosity, empathy and critical thinking. Through a variety of formats, students were invited into spaces that prioritized listening, reflection and meaningful exchange on complex issues. These included Deacon Deliberations, a dinnerbased dialogue series; Let’s Talk, a monthly guided conversation and pop-up event; and Dinner & Dialogue, a peer-facilitated or faculty-led gathering designed to foster meaningful connections over shared meals. In the spring, OCCE partnered with the National Issues Forum Institute (NIFI) to host a workshop on Naming, Framing and Deliberation, allowing faculty and staff to explore the process in greater depth.

“The dialogues provide a space to challenge your thinking, your perspectives and your understanding of yourself and others. This kind of space, one that allows people to not only develop but act on their curiosity, is critical for growth as an individual and as a community.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

WILDERNESS TO WAKE:

Welcoming First-Year Deacs

Campus Recreation hosted Wilderness to Wake, a five‑day outdoor pre‑orientation program in Western North Carolina that brought 118 incoming first‑year students into an immersive environment. Students built community and eased transition anxiety by backpacking, whitewater rafting, climbing and hiking in small groups. These shared challenges forged strong peer connections and delivered students to campus confident and with an established support network.

STELLA BUNN

‘

“Wilderness to Wake taught me many things, most importantly, that I can do hard things. On the first day, I knew I could talk to anyone that I had met at Wilderness to Wake, and that helped me to feel less alone at this new place.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Cultivating Community Through Accessible Campus Leadership

Staff presence remains a hallmark of the Wake Forest campus life experience. Programs such as Milkshake Monday and Wake Up Wednesday continue to create opportunities for the vice president for Campus Life and campus leaders to connect with students in informal settings. This year, Milkshake Monday featured studentathletes and coaches and engaged newly admitted students during Campus Days. Wake Up Wednesday was intentionally expanded to include pop-up events at the law school and at the business school. Through the Gold and Black Chat collaboration with the President’s Office, students engaged in conversations with the university president and vice president for Campus Life in spaces across campus, from Wake Downtown to South Forest. This year, the Campus Life Advisory Council (CLAC) facilitated important discussions on current campus topics such as Fizz, an anonymous online platform, alongside broader institutional priorities like residence hall construction.

AINSLEY BRYAN

‘

“As a member of CLAC, I have enjoyed hearing about different ways the university administration is working to continue and improve Wake Forest, and providing my feedback. I have also appreciated the opportunity to connect with upperclassmen who also care about the future of our school.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

02 The Office of the Dean of Students expanded direct student engagement through “Fire Pit Sits” and “Coffee on the Dean” events. These low-pressure, organic settings fostered genuine relationships between students and divisional leadership, moving leadership out of offices and into spaces where students feel comfortable connecting. PODCAST

Scan the QR Code to Hear from Our Guest Speakers

The third season of the Kidd You Not podcast welcomed 10 unique guests, ranging from a first-year student-athlete to a trustee of the university. Guided by themes of community and belonging, the podcast hosted conversations that connected listeners to a shared sense of humanity, demonstrating that meaningful connection transcends titles and positional leadership.

The Social Experience Task Force convened in Spring 2026 to envision a more inclusive social experience at Wake Forest. Led by the Dean of Students and the Assistant Vice President for Engagement, the task force brought together eight undergraduate students from across class years to explore how to create social experiences that are meaningful and accessible to all students. Throughout the semester, students collaborated with divisional leadership and staff to examine these questions, ultimately presenting proposed initiatives and event concepts to both university leaders.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

ATHLETIC PARTNERSHIP: Uniting Student Engagement and Campus Tradition

The Athletics Partnership Group formed to bring together key staff from Campus Life and Athletics with a clear charge: strengthen existing collaborations and identify strategic opportunities to elevate the student experience. By uniting colleagues from both divisions, the group established working relationships that generated high-impact initiatives for students on campus and beyond. The expansion of Mental Health Green Games to all varsity sports, including the addition of Wake Forest Football, broadens the reach and visibility of student mental health advocacy. By engaging audiences across multiple athletic programs, the initiative demonstrates how shared priorities and partnerships with student-athletes can amplify impact. Through a joint effort among Admissions, Campus Life and Athletics, the Student and Families Pregame Tailgate in Charlotte ahead of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl provided a welcoming entry point for current

students and newly admitted Early Decision families. The gathering built community and showcased Demon Deacon pride and tradition. A new spring tailgate framework created an opportunity for spring varsity sports fans and students returning from abroad to experience the spirit of game day in DEACTOWN, traditionally associated with fall sports. The framework also introduced the first-ever student band performance at a tailgate. Following a successful pilot, home varsity games will now feature student entertainment. Wake Forest’s collaboration with ESPN’s SportsCenter, broadcast live from Hearn Plaza on September 11, highlighted the student experience on a national stage. Featuring coaching staff, campus traditions, performances from the Spirit of the Old Gold & Black, cheer and dance teams and the Demon Deacon mascot, the broadcast placed students at the center of a national spotlight.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

REIMAGINING THE CAMPUS AS A CLASSROOM INSPIRING ONE WAKE FOREST

This cross-divisional partnership proved that when Athletics and Campus Life unite, they build a dynamic environment where school spirit, student leadership and Demon Deacon pride thrive under Pro Humanitate.

PATEL

‘

KYAN

A first-of-its-kind partnership with student-artist Kyan Patel (’27), known for his impressive portfolio spanning the NFL, NBA and NCAA, celebrates the unrivaled Wake Forest student experience at the intersection of art and athletics. The exclusive portfolio features student-athletes, alumni and notable professional athletes who have partnered with the University. Most notably, Kyan created a painting honoring Brian Piccolo, which was presented at Hit the Bricks and gifted to Piccolo’s daughter and Wake Forest alumna, Traci Piccolo. Other partnership pieces feature Magic Johnson, who served as the season five finale speaker for the Face to Face Speaker Forum, and Misty Copeland, this year’s Commencement speaker.

CREATING PATHWAYS TO LEADERSHIP, MEANING AND PURPOSE ELEVATING OUR CONSCIOUSNESS OF CARE MAXIMIZING SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND RESOURCES

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

THEME 03

CAMPUS LIFE LIFE IMPACT IMPACT REPORT REPORT

THEME

Launch of the Office of Leadership Engagement The launch of the Office of Leadership Engagement (OLE) marked a transformational step in re‑envisioning how Wake Forest builds purpose‑driven, reflective student leaders. For the 2025-26 academic year, the division formally established the office and hired the inaugural leadership team to build a cohesive, campus‑wide approach to leadership development. The team introduced workshops, DeacsLead programming, an inaugural Leadership Week event series, tabling and presentations that created more than 405 student points of engagement across the year. A highlight of Leadership Week was a keynote address from Professor Beth Hopkins (’73), whose message on ethical leadership and community responsibility anchored the week’s programming and drew strong student engagement. Additionally, this year brought strengthened collaboration with the Program for Leadership and Character (L&C). The teams hosted a joint retreat to share key programs, goals and partnership opportunities. During the event, OLE facilitated a CliftonStrengths® workshop for the L&C staff, while L&C presented a primer on the Seven Strategies: a framework designed to cultivate virtue and character in students.

The establishment of the OLE further positions Wake Forest to serve as a more connected, strengths‑infused leadership ecosystem; one where students feel equipped, encouraged and empowered to lead with purpose. These expanding ripples signal a growing cultural shift: leadership at Wake Forest is becoming more accessible and deeply integrated into the student experience.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Launch of the Office of Leadership Engagement KEY TOUCHPOINTS:

CLASS OF 2029

1500+ FIRST-YEARS

710

DISTRIBUTED CLIFTONSTRENGTHS® ASSESSMENTS

NEW RAS

350

CLIFTONSTRENGTHS® DISTRIBUTED TO SOPH/JR/SR

Distributed and integrated CliftonStrengths® with 93% of the incoming class during New Deac Week, with insights reinforced through coaching and educational sessions throughout the year. The initiative demonstrated measurable student learning, with 94% of respondents reporting they could identify their Top 5 strengths, 87% learning how to apply their strengths in academics, relationships and leadership, and 90% feeling prepared to discuss their strengths with others. Together, these experiences fostered a shared language for self-understanding and strengthened pathways to leadership development at Wake Forest.

NATIONAL PANHELLENIC COUNCIL RECRUITMENT Integrated CliftonStrengths® directly into Recruitment Counselor training, equipping leaders with targeted strategies to navigate their responsibilities throughout Panhellenic recruitment. Additionally, embedded CliftonStrengths® into the Panhellenic recruitment application process, leading 710 prospective new members to submit their Top 5 strengths for the Spring 2026 class.

RESIDENT ADVISERS (RA) STRENGTHS WORKSHOP Engaged 80% of new RAs in an intensive strengths-based workshop to translate their top talents into effective peer leadership and legacy-building within residence halls. Through collaborative skill development, participants established shared standards to support peer wellbeing, resolve residential conflicts and lead their communities with purpose.

ADDITIONAL STUDENT TOUCHPOINTS Distributed 350 CliftonStrengths® assessments to sophomores, juniors and seniors, equipping upperclass students with a common language for self-understanding.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

03 PIGORA

‘

RYAN

“Leadership has shown up for me in countless forms during my time with the Office of Leadership Engagement, giving me space to both support my peers’ growth and strengthen my own voice. Through programs like CliftonStrengths® and Leadership Week, I’ve learned how to lead with my strengths and help others define leadership for themselves. Most importantly, I’ve discovered that understanding yourself and your community is the foundation of becoming an effective, authentic leader.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Recognizing Women’s History Month

Throughout March 2026, the Women’s Center celebrated Women’s History Month with a series of 23 collaborative programs designed to advance leadership, intersectionality, wellness and community engagement. Supported by 16 campus sponsors and partners including student organizations, identity centers and campus departments, the initiative created opportunities for students, faculty, staff and visitors to engage in meaningful conversations and service-centered programming. Highlights included a hygiene packing party and blanket-making event supporting Eliza’s Helping Hands, a local shelter. To help students translate their core values into action and connect them to life after college, the Center hosted a fireside chat with Ericka Spradley from the School of Business, reinforcing pathways to leadership, meaning and purpose. Spradley, a career coach for finance majors and a leader of the Wake on Wall Street program, spoke to 25 attendees about leading professionally with authenticity and confidence. Drawing from her extensive reach as the founder of Confident Career Woman, she shared actionable strategies to help students navigate burnout, plan careers that prioritize wellbeing and build confidence for their future professional journeys.

Student participation in these campus-wide efforts builds essential skills and community connection.

KAL

WUOR

‘

“Student involvement in programs like Women's History Month is essential, as these initiatives deeply impact student life. Giving students opportunities to lead in collaborative, campus-wide efforts allows them to strengthen their long-term impact and fully live out Pro Humanitate.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

The Old Gold Standards The Old Gold Standards of Excellence framework accelerated leadership growth across all four Greek councils by creating clear pathways that help students lead with intention and strengthen their chapters from within. With structured expectations and individualized action plans, chapters have engaged more deeply in reflection, planning, and purposeful decision‑making, resulting in 100% participation from all 27 recognized organizations and a measurable rise in accountability. Chapters became more intentional about advisor partnerships, documentation, sustainable systems and campus resource utilization, while reducing conduct concerns and improving organizational health.

GOVERNING COUNCILS

RECOGNIZED CHAPTERS

56%

UNDERGRADUATE MEMBERSHIP

CALLIE KAPLAN

03 ‘

VALUES-DRIVEN GROWTH:

PRESIDENT OF DELTA ZETA

“The Old Gold Standards framework supported our officer transitions and helped set the next president up for a stronger start.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Elevating Peer Leadership in Pre-Orientation

Pre-orientation programs at Wake Forest University offer far more than an early arrival on campus; they serve as a vital launching pad for peer leadership, trust and student connection. Campus Life offers eight pre-orientation programs, all powered by upperclass student leaders who assist in designing and implementing the programs for incoming students. By preparing student leaders to facilitate small-group experiences, Campus Life creates authentic opportunities for Deacs to guide and mentor incoming peers before formal classes begin. This peer-led model relies on comprehensive preparation, equipping student leaders to handle realworld scenarios with confidence and composure. During a Wilderness to Wake backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail, student co-leader Ella Zedd (’26) demonstrated the value of this training when an unexpected allergic reaction occurred in the backcountry. Remaining calm and decisive, she administered prompt care and managed her group with steady reassurance, exemplifying steady peer leadership under pressure.

LINDSEY GRIFFIN

‘

“Watching Ella navigate challenges during a Wilderness to Wake backpacking trip with composure and genuine care showed me what leadership at Wake Forest really means. I felt supported from day one, and it inspired me to step up as a leader for others.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

03 HANNAH BEST

‘

Similarly, student leaders with Summit, the University’s historic pre-orientation tradition affiliated with Christian Life, transitioned from staff-led presentations to peer-facilitated discussions and relational mentorship. Nearly half of the first-year participants in Summit applied to serve as peer leaders for the following year. Applicants expressed a strong desire to pay forward the support they received.

“The sense of community at Summit gave me so much confidence coming into Wake Forest. A successful leadership experience for me means making a difference in how students handle college, sharing our special community and ensuring every incoming participant leaves knowing they are noticed, loved and seen.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Leadership and Character in the Student Conduct Process

At Wake Forest, the student conduct process extends beyond policy enforcement to foster personal growth, accountability and ethical leadership. In partnership with the Program for Leadership and Character, Student Conduct uses a developmental approach that encourages students to reflect on their choices, examine personal values and transform missteps into opportunities for learning. Through guided discussions, students explore decision-making frameworks, examine the character and actions of leaders they admire and consider how their choices align with their values. Collaboration with campus partners, including the Office of Wellbeing, further equips students with practical skills in alcohol and other drug education, bystander intervention and campus resource navigation. By integrating leadership and character development into the conduct process, Wake Forest helps students build self-awareness, strengthen decision-making skills and embrace accountability as a pathway to personal growth. This educational approach prepares Deacs to lead with integrity, contribute meaningfully to their communities and embody the spirit of Pro Humanitate.

BRAD

BURROUGHS DIRECTOR, ACADEMIC, CIVIC AND RELIGIOUS LIFE, LEADERSHIP & CHARACTER

“Partnering with student conduct to integrate a character-oriented approach provides a unique opportunity to help students identify avenues for personal growth in the midst of potentially challenging circumstances. Through this process, we help students develop the habits and virtues that empower them to contribute meaningfully to their communities.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

This year, the Office of Civic & Community Engagement (OCCE) supported a strong culture of student-led community action, proving that when students are empowered to lead, they drive profound social change. Faced with real-world logistical and systemic challenges, ranging from severe weather to community financial hardships, Wake Forest students demonstrated remarkable operational resilience, adaptability and strategic leadership.

JENNA RYAN

03 ‘

Student-Led Community Engagement and Public Service

THEME

SENIOR STUDENT DIRECTOR

“Leading a team of more than ten people strengthened my ability to communicate clearly, delegate effectively and foster collaboration toward a shared goal...this year’s event reaffirmed why Project Pumpkin is so special to me.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

03 TIMELINE

Student-Led Community Engagement a SEPT 2025

OCT 2025

NOV 2025

109 volunteers 200+ service hours

$313K+ Raised

114 volunteers cook 628 holiday meals

9/11 DAY OF SERVICE

HIT THE BRICKS

TURKEYPALOOZA

PROJECT PUMPKIN $15k+ Raised

9/11 DAY OF SERVICE COMMUNITY SERVICE & REMEMBRANCE

Supported by a grant from North Carolina Campus Engagement (NCCE), volunteers contributed hours across 10 community sites, including a career resilience workshop for local veterans at Crisis Control Ministry.

109

200+ HOURS

COMMUNITY SITES

Served

Contributed

Supported

VOLUNTEERS

BRIAN PICCOLO CANCER RESEARCH FUND

Surpassed a historic $2 million lifetime fundraising milestone as Hit the Bricks and Wake ’N Shake together generated more than $700,000 (up from $637,000 the previous year) for critical cancer research and patient support at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. HIT THE BRICKS PARTICIPATION

2,123 FALL 2024

2,264 FALL 2025

WAKE ‘N SHAKE PARTICIPATION

1,571

SPRING 2025

1,863

SPRING 2026

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

and Public Service: Signature Highlights FEB 2026

MAR 2026

APR 2026

68 volunteers serve 50 local children

$360k+ Flagship cancer research fundraiser

362 volunteers paint 68 desks for Title I students

MLK DAY OF SERVICE

WAKE 'N SHAKE

DESK

PROJECT PUMPKIN

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION & SUPPORT Mobilized 621 volunteers to pivot indoors during a torrential downpour, welcoming 380 local children and raising a record-breaking $15,129 to support the WFU Freedom School.

621

380

$15,129

VOLUNTEERS

CHILDREN

RAISED TO SUPPORT

Mobilized

Welcomed

The WFU Freedom School

DESK

DISCOVERING EDUCATION THROUGH STUDENT KNOWLEDGE Engaged 362 volunteers to build and paint 68 personalized study desks and deliver $2,500 worth of free school supplies to local Title I elementary students.

362

$2,500

VOLUNTEERS

STUDY DESKS

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Engaged

Built and Painted

Delivered to Title I Students

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Student-Led Community Engagement and Public Service

Student-Led Mini Grants & Food Injustice The Office of Civic & Community Engagement's (OCCE) approach successfully pairs vital community connections with rigorous student development, translating financial backing into tangible leadership skills. Supported by The Allstate Foundation College Service Grant, a student-led committee allocated $11,000 to nine distinct youth-led initiatives. Assessment data revealed that nearly 90% of student participants reported a significant or moderate improvement in their ability to lead positive social change. Students consistently cited active communication, real-time adaptability and strategic delegation as key skills gained, frequently connecting these experiences directly to their future career aspirations in medicine, public health and public policy. By offering students the autonomy to pitch ideas, manage complex budgets, navigate crises and foster deep, trust-based community partnerships, the OCCE is shaping the next generation of civic-minded leaders who leave Wake Forest uniquely equipped to build a more just and resilient world.

During TurkeyPalooza’s 19th year, student leaders stepped up to bridge the food security gap caused by benefit disruptions, mobilizing 114 volunteers to cook and deliver a record 628 scratch-made holiday meals. Concurrently, Campus Kitchen members contributed 3,900 volunteer hours, rescuing 20,334 pounds of food and distributing 13,880 meals across the Winston-Salem community.

TURKEYPALOOZA 19 YEARS OF COMMUNITY IMPACT

114

VOLUNTEERS Mobilized

628

SCRATCH-MADE HOLIDAY MEALS Cooked and Delivered

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

03 NJEI

‘

CHELSEA

MINI GRANT RECIPIENT

CAMPUS KITCHEN FOOD RECOVERY & COMMUNITY SUPPORT

3,900

VOLUNTEER HOURS

20,334

POUNDS OF FOOD Rescued

13,880

MEALS DISTRIBUTED

“Working on Empowerment Kits for Learning, a minigrant initiative under DESK, directly strengthened my leadership, collaboration, and community engagement skills. More importantly, it deepened my understanding of advocacy and reinforced the value of building programs that move beyond basic support to true empowerment.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

THEME 04

CAMPUS LIFE LIFE IMPACT IMPACT REPORT REPORT

THEME

Building We Are Wake Awareness

The third year of We Are Wake

Partnering with the Wake the Forest

demonstrated a deepening impact across

initiative, staff focused on meeting

campus, strengthening a supportive

students where they lived, setting up in

network while preparing students, faculty

residential lobbies to clarify when and

and staff to advocate for themselves

how to call 758-CARE and building trust

and others. This year’s work expanded

through face-to-face interactions.

visibility, increased help‑seeking behaviors and elevated student voice in shaping wellbeing initiatives. Incoming students first encountered We Are Wake through expanded Care 100 programming during New Deac Week, where every first-year and transfer student participated in a peer-led workshop. Students reported feeling more prepared to listen, respond and connect with others, and more comfortable accessing campus resources. To reinforce these skills, Case Management staff brought support directly into all first-year residence halls during their first six weeks on campus.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Building We Are Wake Awareness THIS EARLY OUTREACH PRODUCED MEASURABLE RESULTS:

FALL 2025

FIRST-YEAR SELF-REFERRALS In fall 2025, self-referrals for first-year students totaled 13 (compared to 0 in fall 2024), reflecting earlier identification and intervention.

FALL 2024

889 FALL 2025

711

OVERALL REFERRALS Overall referrals rose from 711 to 889, a 25% increase, reflecting growing awareness of and trust in Care resources.

FALL 2024

303

ATHLETES ACROSS 10 VARSITY SPORTS

CARE 101 WORKSHOPS FACILITATED THIS YEAR

GREEN GAME: ATHLETICS Visibility also expanded through the Green Game collaboration with Athletics, where 303 athletes across 10 varsity sports participated (up from 7 varsity sports in 2024-25) to raise mental health awareness.

WE AMBASSADORS The reimagined We Ambassadors program further amplified peer leadership, with student leaders facilitating 18 Care 101 workshops throughout the year.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

04 Student and faculty voices shaped the program’s evolution. The October Student Summit provided influence for students to share feedback and influence future wellbeing initiatives, while the February Faculty Summit brought 10 faculty partners into direct conversation with the strategy group. The faculty participants gained deeper insight into 758‑CARE operations and explored ways to strengthen student support in all facets of campus.

JOY

GAMBILL TEACHING LIBRARIAN, Z. SMITH REYNOLDS LIBRARY

“As a faculty member, I feel supported by a community of care that encourages us to look out for one another as people, without expecting us to become mental health experts.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Building We Are Wake Awareness

SAM JONES

CARE on Film

Scan the QR Code to Read Student's Experience Through the Lens of Care.

One of the year’s most visible initiatives, CARE on Film, launched on World Mental Health Day. Four students used disposable cameras to capture what care looks like in their daily lives. Their photographs, displayed across campus, sparked meaningful conversations about how care is experienced in small, everyday moments and highlighted the diverse ways students find and express support.

‘

“As a Care Ambassador, being involved in wellbeing initiatives helped me become a more supportive leader and a more considerate team member. Knowing the stressors that come with being a Wake Forest student, I strive to positively impact those around me.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

Supporting Basic Needs in Our Campus Community During Hardship Wake Forest’s commitment to addressing basic needs continued to make a tangible difference this year, expanding resources and bolstering the care system for students, faculty, staff and contract workers experiencing unexpected hardship. These efforts not only increased access to essential aid but also demonstrated the power of collective action in advocating for our community. The Chaplain’s Emergency Fund (CEF) remained a cornerstone of this work, providing flexible financial assistance to community members facing sudden challenges. This year, the CEF awarded 168 grants totaling $86,818, offering support

168

$86,818

2025-26

During Moments of Financial Strain

AWARDED GRANTS

SUPPORT

during moments of acute financial strain. Its ability to exceed the standard $500 annual limit during extraordinary hardship ensured that individuals received the level of assistance their circumstances required. Alongside this, the Office of the Dean of Students continued exploring the launch of a campus pantry to expand access to basic‑needs resources and reduce barriers for those experiencing food insecurity.

THEME

The Wake Forest Fund for the Student Experience strengthened the broader ecosystem of care by supporting co‑curricular activities and programs that enrich student life. Beyond expanding engagement this past year, the fund enabled timely, needs‑based support from assisting students with emergency medical expenses to expanding access to study abroad programs, ensuring that all students can fully participate in the Wake Forest experience even when unexpected challenges arise. Community engagement served as a central effort in addressing food insecurity this year. In November, Deacs Against Hunger, a student-led food drive coordinated with OCCE, Student Government, Alpha Phi Omega, Volunteer Service Corps and Public Health, Advocacy, Service and Education (P.H.A.S.E.), mobilized campus partners to take direct action. The drive collected over 1,100 pounds of food and raised $1,360 online. Students expanded this impact through the Swipe Out Hunger program. During the fall and spring semesters, peers collected 500 meal swipes and donated them through a coordinated effort with the Chaplain's Emergency Fund and the Care team. Together, these initiatives built a clear environment of support and demonstrated a shared responsibility for all members of the campus community.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Menstrual Access Program

The Menstrual Access Program (MAP), led by the Women’s Center in partnership with Student Government, expanded access to free menstrual products across campus during the 2025–26 academic year. Through campus-wide collaboration with departments including Academic Advising, Anthropology, Art, Classics, Communications, Education, Health & Exercise Science, Psychology, the Safe Office, Student Engagement and ZSR Library, 39 menstrual product kiosks are now available throughout academic buildings to support the needs of the university community. MAP was created to address menstrual equity and ensures that students, faculty, staff and campus visitors have reliable access to essential hygiene products in moments of need. The initiative supports students experiencing financial hardship by helping reduce barriers that can impact academic participation, wellbeing and daily life.

4,000

Available

Across Campus

MENSTRUAL PRODUCT KIOSKS

MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS

In 2025-26, MAP distributed more than 4,000 menstrual products across campus in partnership with LOLA, a women-founded company committed to reproductive equity and providing products made without toxins or dyes. By expanding access to free menstrual products and reducing stigma, MAP reflects the university’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion and support for all community members.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

COLLECTIVE IMPACT COALITIONS:

THEME

Advancing a Shared Culture of Wellbeing

By positioning students as active co-creators of policy and intervention strategy, the expanded collective impact model translates institutional strategy into daily campus culture. Coalitions utilize campus-wide data, including student engagement surrounding the rollout of the Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Misconduct, to identify systemic needs and deploy peer-led education across high-profile campus customs.

ELI

LEADHAM

‘

The Thrive Collective Impact Coalitions lead Wake Forest University’s commitment to wellbeing, serving as the foundation for cross-campus health and safety strategies. During the 2025–26 academic year, more than 120 students, faculty and staff actively participated across seven specialized coalitions: Access and Belonging, Alcohol and Other Drug Harm Reduction and Prevention, Interpersonal Violence Prevention, Hazing Prevention, the Peer Network, Physical Health and Nutrition, and We Are Wake Mental Health. Supported by the inaugural Wellbeing Coordinator for Collective Impact and Signature Events, these monthly working groups leverage data and student feedback to build targeted campaigns and accessible safety networks.

04 26

“Attending the Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coalition was empowering as a student, as I felt not only accepted but encouraged to speak up and share my ideas on how to better mold this campus into the true spirit of Pro Humanitate.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

COALITION FEATURE:

Re-Envisioning Harm Reduction at Senior Fifth

The power of this collective strategy was most visible during Senior Fifth 2025, a high-risk activity surrounding a football game. Recognizing the opportunity to address this behavior through proactive support in collaboration with students rather than sole policy enforcement, the Alcohol and Other Drug Harm Reduction and Prevention (AOD) Coalition partnered directly with Greek Councils, Campus Life and Athletics to re-envision event safety. Grounded in trust and open dialogue, the coalition implemented a comprehensive harm-reduction approach tailored to student feedback and real-time event dynamics. Interventions included providing continuous transportation shuttles from off-campus student housing, offering pre-game meal options to more than 1,000 students, expanding venue safety support and extending the Sober Tailgate through halftime. These coordinated measures significantly mitigated environmental risk, resulting in a decrease in students requiring emergency medical transport or urgent medical care due to intoxication compared to previous years. Beyond immediate health outcomes, the initiative established a new precedent for student-centered harm reduction,

proving that collaborative planning builds lasting trust, operational credibility and a shared culture of campus responsibility.

COLBY

CONSOLATI

‘

PRESIDENT OF SIGMA PI FRATERNITY

“The partnership with the AOD Coalition shaped a brand-new relationship of collaboration and mutual understanding between the Greek Councils and Campus Life.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Excellence in Therapy Interventions The University Counseling Center (UCC) provides high-quality, compassionate care tailored to support students’ overall wellbeing and foster a safe, thriving campus. To continuously evaluate and elevate care standards, the UCC utilizes the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS), tracking progress

04 across key areas of student life including emotional health, academic distress, stress, social connections and body image. By tailoring session depth to individual student needs, the UCC equips students to navigate challenges, regain momentum and flourish academically and personally.

THREE-YEAR TRENDS HIGHLIGHT THE MEANINGFUL IMPACT OF PERSONALIZED CARE AND SUSTAINED SUPPORT:

EARLY IMPACT

SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT

Even with brief engagements (two or more sessions), students consistently achieved strong progress comparable to or exceeding national trends across nearly every measure.

Students who participated in four or more sessions achieved greater symptom reduction and overall psychological improvement than the national benchmark across all eight CCAPS-assessed dimensions.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

THEME 05

MAXIMIZING SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND RESOURCES We prioritize opportunities to maximize our operational approaches. Consistency also connects to our deep commitment to equity for all. Ensuring students and staff experience the same level of support, challenge and connection is critical to our deeply relational culture.

CAMPUS LIFE LIFE IMPACT IMPACT REPORT REPORT

THEME

Renewed Focus on People and Culture

To strengthen employee retention

The initiative provided an immediate

and workplace culture, campus lfe

boost to the employee experience,

hired its first Director of People and

reflected in the feedback shared by

Culture in August 2025. Guided by

nominees and recipients. Employees

employee feedback, including the 2024

described feeling energized, affirmed

Campus Climate Survey and supervisor

and more connected to campus life

assessments, the People and Culture

and their colleagues. This recognition

team launched the Campus Life

reinforced their value, strengthening

Employee Experience Strategy (CLEES), a

employee morale, which directly

division‑wide effort to improve belonging,

benefited student support. This focus on

communication, appreciation and

appreciation also inspired participants

supervisory support. A key outcome

to recognize others, reinforcing a

of this work was the creation of the

culture of peer acknowledgment. The

inaugural Campus Life Staff Excellence

success in strengthening employee

Awards, recognizing employees whose

experience led to an invitation for the

daily contributions shape the student

Director of People and Culture to share

experience. Recognition represents

lessons learned with university Human

one CLEES action step that increased

Resources, to strengthen conversations

employees’ sense of being seen, valued

around employee engagement

and connected across the division,

and workplace culture across the

directly strengthening staff

broader university community.

engagement and retention.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Renewed Focus on People and Culture

CAZANDRA REBOLLAR

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

“In the fast-paced nature of Student Affairs, it can be easy to overlook the small wins and move on to the next project without pausing to celebrate. Events like the Staff Excellence Awards serve as a reminder that while the results matter, the way we support and uplift one another along the way is just as important.”

Front Row (left to right): Kathleen Hurley, Ashley Hawkins Parham, Odaly Rivas, Cazandra Rebollar Back Row: Tim Kerr, Jonah Neville, Chris Powell, Mark Walley

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

Continuous Improvement & Institutional Accreditation

THEME

Division of Campus Life Strategic Vision During the 2025–26 academic year, staff from across the division conducted a comprehensive review to refine the 2023 Campus Life Strategic Vision goals and action steps. While remaining aligned with our foundational strategy, this update ensures our work continuously evolves alongside changing student needs while providing a clear roadmap for tracking future progress.

Deacon Health In October 2025, Deacon Health earned a full three-year accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This highest distinction places Wake Forest among the nation’s premier college health centers. Choosing to pursue AAAHC accreditation beginning in 2023 reflected a proactive commitment to evidence-based practice and national benchmarking. Over 24 months, the clinical team aligned daily operations, refined safety protocols, conducted internal audits and completed

comprehensive staff training to elevate patient care across every department. Following a rigorous on-site evaluation of every clinical workflow, AAAHC surveyors validated Deacon Health's gold-standard operations. Beyond earning national recognition, this distinction reinforced student trust in campus healthcare services, ensuring Deacs receive hightouch medical care that supports their wellbeing and academic success.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Continuous Improvement & Institutional Accreditation

University Counseling Center The University Counseling Center's (UCC) psychology internship training program received 10 years of accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA), the maximum term granted by the APA Commission on Accreditation. This status was effective retroactively from November 7, 2025. Receiving APA accreditation underscores the UCC's commitment to excellence in professional training, which in turn helps expand the UCC's reach in providing premier mental health services to students. Each year, the UCC will have two interns in the APAaccredited doctoral internship program. Supporting these interns during their final phase of professional training represents a significant contribution to securing the future of professional psychology.

University Police International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) (IACLEA) reaccreditation marked a significant milestone for University Police serving

as evidence to the ongoing commitment to the safety, security and wellbeing of the Wake Forest campus community. In addition, Citizen’s Police Academy provided insight into maintaining a safe and secure learning environment, giving participants an opportunity to assist in keeping their community safe. At the same time, safety and awareness programming enabled students, employees and guests to interact one-on-one with law enforcement officers and administrators, building and security personnel, communications officers and Clery compliance, opening lines of communication and expanding community access to safety resources.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

05 External Reviews Campus Life completed its third year of comprehensive external reviews designed to evaluate departmental practices against fieldspecific standards. This year-long process moves beyond daily operations to assess a department's impact. Guided by the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS), the process begins with a comprehensive self-study, a deep dive into data, policies, and student outcomes. This internal reflection sets the stage for an onsite visit from external field experts. Findings provide a strategic roadmap that directly informs the department’s strategic vision and future priorities, ensuring programs align with national best practices. During the 2025-26 academic year, Residence Life and Housing, University Counseling Center and the Office of the Chaplain successfully completed this rigorous process.

DENISHA CHAMPION

DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY COUNSELING CENTER

“The external review process allowed us to host expert collegiate mental health administrators, who reviewed our procedures and provided actionable feedback on best practices in aligning Counseling Center services to support the university's academic mission. Moving from evaluation to action, the department used these expert insights and recommendations to establish the blueprint for our new strategic plan.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

A CULTURE OF ASSESSMENT:

From Compliance to Narrative Impact

This year, Campus Life introduced an empowered coaching model. Guided by the philosophy that evaluation captures the distinct benefits of division programs rather than simple volume, this effort focuses on building distributed capacity and data confidence across all 17 divisional departments and units. Central to this shift was the strategic hiring of the division’s first full-time Senior Assessment and Analytics Scientist, a role created to embed evidence-based decision-making directly into divisional culture. This position guides staff to focus instead on proximal outcomes: actionable progress markers that demonstrate how programs drive student success, belonging and retention. To build shared capacity, the division deployed an educational infrastructure consisting of tailored logic model blueprints, open office hours, and dynamic storytelling workshops. Across these capacity-building sessions, over 90% of participants reported increased confidence in independently evaluating their programs. By empowering staff to take direct ownership of their data, Campus Life transforms routine compliance into a compelling roadmap of student growth and thriving.

EMMA

SUNNASSEE SENIOR ASSESSMENT AND ANALYTICS SCIENTIST

“We are no longer just counting how many students walk through our doors; we are measuring how our environments help them grow, belong and succeed.” “As a division committed to building an inclusive learning environment where all matter, belong and thrive, our ability to understand the data so that we may prepare our students is essential. This coaching allows my team to strengthen our capacity to do that work with intentionality, clarity and purpose.” Marcus Sanderlin DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

Modernizing Infrastructure for Proactive Campus Protection In 2025, Campus Life advanced a coordinated modernization of campus safety, communication and emergency preparedness systems, significantly strengthening responsiveness and community protection. The University Police Department replaced its manual reporting platform with an automated system that streamlined information collection and accelerated data sharing with campus partners, including the Office of the Dean of Students, Care Case Management, Title IX, Housing and Residence Life and the Safe Office. By automating administrative reporting, the new platform frees officers from desk tasks to increase campus patrols, monitor safety systems and engage directly with students. Enhanced data dashboards equip leadership to deploy data-driven patrol strategies and allocate security resources more efficiently. Faster and more comprehensive detailed information sharing enables campus partners to make timely decisions, supporting a proactive environment of care across the university. Complementing this initiative, the Office of Clery Compliance modernized its timely warning procedures through a crossfunctional partnership with University Police, Office of General Counsel, Compliance Services and University Marketing and Communications.

THEME

Standardized templates and a tiered approval structure reduce the time required to issue alerts, strengthen federal compliance and ensure accurate communication during safety threats. Emergency Management expanded campus resiliency through the Deacs Ready initiative and the launch of the Building Safety and Security Representative (BSSR) Program. By developing Building Emergency Action Plans and training faculty and staff to guide occupants during emergencies, the program established a network of prepared volunteers across Wake Downtown, the Wellbeing Center and Benson University Center, with plans to expand to other campus locations in the future.

Classroom Safety Enhancement Project In fall 2025, installation of manual thumb-turn locks and emergency buttons was completed across 25 buildings and 300 classrooms on Reynolda Campus and Wake Downtown. When activated, the systems immediately notify University Police, allowing occupants to easily secure room entry points from the inside.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Re-envisioning Joint Event Planning Committee

During the 2025–26 academic year, the Joint Event Planning Committee transformed its event management process by directly involving student organizers in planning meetings. Previously, student leaders met with a single staff member and received a checklist of campus offices to contact independently, creating communication gaps and averaging six follow‑up meetings. By incorporating students into committee meetings, the Office of Student Engagement established a centralized, collaborative forum where student planners sit alongside key stakeholders from Campus Life, Facilities Services, and Hospitality and Auxiliary Services. Across 25 large-scale events, this collaborative model reduced follow-up communication to a single meeting, ensured fiscal responsibility and addressed critical safety and logistical requirements in real time.

ALSTON WANG

‘

PRESIDENT, ASIAN STUDENT INTEREST ASSOCIATION

“Having everyone in the room at once made the planning process far more efficient and gave me the chance to advocate for others, an experience that strengthened my confidence and growth as a student leader.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

THEME

Streamlining Student Union Events

BEFORE

200

HIGH-VOLUME PROGRAMMING Events Per Year

AFTER

FOCUS ON EVENT QUALITY Events Per Year

AUBREY WAYNE

‘

Student Union leadership transitioned from a high-volume programming model to prioritizing event quality, re-envisioning student events as transformative student experiences. By analyzing attendance data and student feedback, the organization strategically reduced its annual event calendar from over 200 to 21 events. This pivot produced measurable success: average attendance per program surged from 87 to more than 200 (130% increase), generating more than 4,100 total student engagements this academic year.

05 28

DIRECTOR, SPIRIT AND TRADITIONS, STUDENT UNION

“By focusing on fewer, more intentional events, we were able to collaborate more thoughtfully and create experiences that students genuinely wanted to be part of. Seeing those experiences bring students together and strengthen their sense of belonging has been the most rewarding part.”

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

A LIFELONG SENSE OF BELONGING: Staying Connected Beyond Retirement

Campus Recreation’s retiree program expanded its impact during the 2025– 26 academic year, ensuring retirees and longtime colleagues remained connected, valued and supported as integral members of the Wake Forest community. Grounded in a holistic approach to wellbeing, the program supported meaningful relationships, lifelong learning and sustained engagement long after retirement. Each month, retirees gather in the Wellbeing Center Living Room for breakfast and educational presentations on topics ranging from senior services and retirement benefits to gardening and artificial intelligence. This program reinforces physical activity, social connection, and community building. Paired with a monthly newsletter and complimentary Wellbeing Center memberships, the endeavor creates a welcoming environment where retirees can maintain their physical health, expand their knowledge, and build intergenerational connections with current students and staff.

The impact of this work extends beyond monthly gatherings. By modeling an inclusive community, the retiree program signals to current faculty and staff that Wake Forest’s commitment to their wellbeing is not limited to their years of employment; it spans a lifetime. This enduring sense of belonging enriches the broader university culture and strengthens connections across generations.

CAMPUS LIFE IMPACT REPORT

REIMAGINING THE CAMPUS AS A CLASSROOM INSPIRING ONE WAKE FOREST CREATING PATHWAYS TO LEADERSHIP, MEANING AND PURPOSE ELEVATING OUR CONSCIOUSNESS OF CARE MAXIMIZING SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND RESOURCES

HAROLD HOLMES

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT & DEAN OF STUDENT SERVICES EMERITUS

“The continued deepening of relationships with students, along with former and present university faculty, staff and administration, is a source of immeasurable satisfaction and creates the ultimate space for an enriching campus environment.”

The vision of Campus Llife is "an inclusive learning community where all matter, belong and thrive." These stories highlight ways we are making this a reality. To learn more about how you can invest in this vision, visit go.wfu.edu/supportcampuslife.

P.O. Box 7374 Winston-Salem, NC 27109-7202

336.758.5943

@wfucampuslife

dcl@wfu.edu