Omayra Arocho Named Assistant Vice President, Dean of the Center for Academic Success

On October 6, Omayra Arocho, Ph.D., was named the assistant vice president of student services and dean for the Center for Academic Success. Arocho is a True-Blue Pirate who earned a B.S.E., M.A.E. and Ph.D. in higher education, leadership, management and policy from Seton Hall. She previously served as the associate dean, student success and engagement in the College of Human Development, Culture and Media at Seton Hall. She has also held several roles in academic and student affairs at Montclair State University, Rutgers University and Union County College.

Monica Burnette, vice president of student services, interviewed Arocho on her new appointment:

Congratulations on your new role! Tell us more about yourself and what you find most rewarding about working in Academic Success.

I am a proud Seton Hall University alumna who credits the genuine compassion and mentorship of key faculty and administrators for inspiring me as a first-generation college student to pursue a career in higher education and pay it forward. I am passionate about education, serving my community and providing students with the support systems needed to achieve their personal and academic goals. The most rewarding part about working in Academic Success is the ability to collaborate with dedicated team members, all University partners and our amazing students to provide meaningful, transformational experiences for our students, families and communities. As they say, “Success does not happen in a vacuum.” Our strength is in the connections and collaborations we build to lift each other up. Student success (personal, academic, professional, mental and spiritual) is a collective achievement.

Our Academic Success areas manage several departments on campus. Please tell us more about the areas you supervise.

I have the pleasure of supervising and collaborating with dedicated, student-centered teams within the Center for Academic Success (CAS), the Ruth Sharkey Academic Resource Center (ARC), Academic Support for Student-Athletes, the Career Center and ROTC.

The Center for Academic Success (CAS) houses an award-winning academic advising program that works to ensure incoming first-year students experience meaningful, holistic personal and intellectual growth. The center's student success advisors, peer advisors and University Life course assist students with adjusting to college life and taking advantage of the numerous opportunities to engage with the campus community.

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) promotes student learning and academic excellence by providing varied and effective approaches to improve or maintain academic achievement and performance. It brings together numerous academic support services, resources and programs to nurture both personal and academic success.

Academic Support Services for Student-Athletes supports a holistic approach to foster the overall development and personal success of all student-athletes. Through its comprehensive support services model, it seeks to empower students to develop into mature, thoughtful, independent learners who contribute to their communities.

The Career Center strives to empower Seton Hall students and alumni to achieve their full career potential. It provides personalized, inclusive guidance and resources to support career exploration, job search and ongoing professional development.

Army ROTC is a distinguished leadership program that selects, educates, mentors, trains and commissions college students to be Army officers and leaders of character committed to excellence and a lifetime of service to the nation.

What are some words of advice you would provide for students who need assistance with academic success?

A piece of advice that I consistently give to undergraduate and graduate students and have had the opportunity to share with our Class of 2027 is:

If you ever feel that college expectations conflict with core values or traditions, or that concepts are foreign to you, please know that you are not alone; you belong here and we need you. If you are struggling with academic life, pause to center yourself and realize that there are support systems and individuals here who have navigated these challenges and are happy to guide you. There will be times when you will need to take the first step and seek assistance. You play a critical role in your growth and success. If you are unsure about something — anything — please do not hesitate to ask us about it. I understand that reaching out for help can make us feel uncomfortable and maybe even nervous. Please know that your professors and our academic success team members love when you show interest. They welcome the opportunity to connect with you, help you and clarify concepts. Courage. Your questions help us to become better, more understanding educators.

What are some upcoming initiatives we can look forward to from the areas of Academic Success?

Upcoming Academic Success initiatives include, but are not limited to:

• “Mapping a 4-Year Plan with DegreeWorks,” a hands-on workshop designed to empower students to make informed decisions about their academic plan.
• This fall, the Career Center introduced 12Twenty, a comprehensive career management platform that will provide students with access to valuable mentorship opportunities, enhanced career insights and a streamlined path to achieving their professional goals. The Career Center encourages all students to log in through PirateNet and start exploring what 12Twenty has to offer.
• Throughout the year, the ARC offers numerous free skill-building workshops to enhance students' academic skills and abilities. Attend workshops to improve the way you organize your study habits. Manage your time and learn valuable skills to help you succeed at Seton Hall. Check out the upcoming workshop information on Engage.

How can one learn more about the areas of Academic Success?

Please find out more about Seton Hall's Academic Success areas on the Division of Student Services website, by emailing (academicsuccess@shu.edu), by visiting center locations and by following them on social media and Engage.

Academic Success Area Locations:
Center for Academic Success (CAS)
Mooney Hall, Room 11

Ruth Sharkey Academic Resource Center (ARC)
Arts and Sciences Hall, Room 242

Academic Support Services for Student-Athletes
Richie Regan Recreation & Athletics Center, First Floor

The Career Center
Bayley Hall, Room 209

ROTC
Mooney Hall, Fourth Floor

Categories: Alumni