A new office that will combine student government, organizations and Greek Life is being planned by current faculty within the Division for Student Affairs. While its staff works in individual offices, all of these organizations will now be housed under the Office for Student Engagement (OSE).

“I think for people to understand right now because of the way this union is setup we’re not in one comprehensive office physically, but once the new union comes we will all be in one big suite where you walk in the door and there is the contact information for Greek life, if that is what you choose to do, get involved in a student organization, or if you want to go the SGA route,” said Cherie’ K. Thriffiley, the Director of the Office for Student Engagement.

Thriffiley’s new position is a result of recent transitions within DSA. Working hand in hand with her is Beth Richardson, the former Coordinator of the Student Government Association who will now become the Assistant Director of the Office for Student Engagement.

“Beth and I compliment one another in our working relationship,” said Thriffiley.  “Lots of times when we go to problem solve, we have completely different ways of approaching things so it’s really good when you come to the table because her perspective is completely different from mine so we definitely benefit from each other in that aspect.”

The OSE will make it easier for students to get involved on multiple ladders through the same complex.  

“Our hope is to empower these students to create events and make our current events what they see them to be,” said Richardson.

Thriffiley encourages students to get involved in at least one campus organization so that they may learn communication skills, business management and how to work with a team while ushering in problem solving techniques.

“I think this office is providing developing opportunities for our students, whether that is by them forming their own organizations and creating their own way of running something in their governing body, or if it’s planning events and taking skills they learn from that,” said Thriffiley.

Although the office was created to better serve the students, Richardson and Thriffiley acknowledge Southeastern’s need to create higher awareness of campus wide events, organizations and opportunities. Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Jim McHodgkins has said the OSE has been working together as if they are one person down until someone is hired for Coordinator of the OSE.

“The office has been without a Coordinator for Student Engagement for a little over a year,” said Richardson. “That kind of got piggybacked on Cherie’s previous position, so she moved to be in charge of Greek Life and student organization; so it’s a lot of work.”

According to Thriffiley, the OSE is hoping to post the opening for those interested in applying by the end of the week.

“I wouldn’t call it difficult, we’ve just been rolling with it,” said Thriffiley, commenting on the lack of a coordinator.

Part of Thriffiley’s job within student organizations is her part in overseeing roughly 30 DSA Leadership Ambassadors.

“DSA Leadership Ambassadors are a group of students who have applied based on their involvement on campus and also their grade point average and an interview process. They have been selected to represent DSA at events,” said Thriffiley.

These students will work at events such as Family Day, Traditions and the Southeastern Leadership Conference.

For more information on the Office for Student Engagement, contact Cherie’ K. Thriffiley at 985-549-2120, [email protected] or Beth Richardson at 985-549-2297, [email protected].