WSURA is proud to be a supporter of Wright State’s Raider Food Pantry, a service that has been available for more than a decade for those dealing with food insufficiency. What many retired faculty and staff may not know is that the pantry is part of the Office of Student Advocacy and Wellness in the division of Student Affairs.
Formerly known as Student Support Services, the department is led by director Destinee Biesemeyer, with case managers Tylar O’Neal-White and Kyla Arroyo in place to provide a confidential, safe space for individuals in need of assistance in overcoming obstacles to their academic success.
According to Dean of Students Chris Taylor, food and housing insecurity are just two of the challenges impacting students, both graduate and undergraduate. Personal loss, family illness or death, and financial difficulties are often hurdles that contribute to an individual’s inability to maintain balance in the college setting. Chris explained that the division provides clinical services for students through the Office of Counseling and Wellness, with non-clinical, nocost assistance available thought Advocacy and Wellness. To that end, staff members provide direct connections to local or state agencies and often accompany students to meetings with community resources.
Examples of interactions that assist students’ college continuation challenges include the completion of financial aid applications and Satisfactory Academic Program (SAP) appeals. In partnership with the Raj Soin College of Business, the department also provides office space for students to receive educational information and training to increase their financial literacy.
Finally, the staff hopes that students understand that they cannot “fix” issues that they encounter. Rather, they emphasize their purpose is to “offer support, resources and education to help them …using their own strengths.” The department offers 24/7 phone support at (937)-260-0167 and is located in 051 Student Union, next door to the Raider Food Pantry.
Editor's note: Kathy Morris is the WSU Retirees Association's Liaison to the Raider Food Pantry
