Student Success Summit: Becoming & Belonging
Student Success Summit: Becoming & Belonging
Student Success Summit: Becoming & Belonging
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Chamberlain Student Center, Eynon Ballroom
Students, faculty, and staff came together for the 4th Annual Student Success Summit, celebrating the diverse experiences that shape the Rowan community. This year’s theme, “Becoming & Belonging: Growth Happens Here,” invited attendees to explore how curiosity, connection, and courage could transform their Rowan journey.
Participants engaged in interactive workshops, a student panel, a service project, and campus partner connections. They also heard from keynote speaker Dr. Kevin S. Koett, Vice Chancellor for Student Life & Dean of Students, who shared his impactful story on growth and belonging. Whether attendees were looking to boost their confidence, discover new campus resources, or connect with peers, the Summit provided opportunities to help them take their next step toward success.
>>Scroll down to explore the agenda below.
Agenda
9:00-9:30 AM | Check-in & Continental Breakfast
9:35 AM | Welcome from Dean Rory McElwee - Window Side
9:40-10:10 AM | Student Panel
- Student Panel Moderator: Molique Wright
- Panelists include Colin Webb, Active Minds President; Meadow Carstarphen (she/her), Student Leader; and Grey McDermott (they/them), Student Panelist
10:15 AM- 10:55 AM | Breakout Session 1 (Choose One)
Option 1: Mapping Your Growth: Social, Personal, and Academic Goals with Jeanine Dowd, (she/her), Senior Academic Advisor, Rowan-Virtua Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing and Health Professions; Katelin Burton She/Her, Senior Exercise Science Student, and Vienna Li she/her, Sophomore Public Health and Wellness student | College is more than classes - it’s a time to grow in every part of your life. Mapping Your Growth helps you explore your personal, social, and academic goals so you can make the most of your college experience. Through fun, hands-on activities, you’ll create your own “Growth Map” to track your progress, celebrate your wins, and stay motivated along the way.Discover how to balance self-care, friendships, and academics while shaping the future you want!
Location: Eynon Ballroom, Kitchen Side
Option 2: Gathering Glimmers: Finding the Small, Wonderful Moments in Everyday Life with Drew Davenport (he/him), Academic Support Coordinator and Adjunct Professor | Gathering Glimmers is an interactive workshop that will challenge participants to recognize the beauty that surrounds us each day. Whether a brief moment, a small gesture, or seemingly insignificant detail, being able to take the time to recognize and acknowledge these glimmers helps us to become the very best versions of ourselves. Through self-reflection and meaningful conversations, participants will enhance their self-care journey by identifying what is special to them as an individual and what brings them joy.
Location: Eynon Ballroom, Window Side
11:00 AM- 11:40 AM | Breakout Session 2 (Choose One)
Option 1: Planting the Seeds for Success with Atla Wells, Senior Academic Advisor & Christina Davidson-Tucci, Senior Academic Advisor / Instructor | "Planting Seeds For Success" is a presentation that shows daily actions, efforts, and commitments are small, foundational steps that, with consistent effort and patience, grow into significant future building blocks for academic balance and success.
Location: Eynon Ballroom, Kitchen Side
Option 2: Gathering Glimmers: Finding the Small, Wonderful Moments in Everyday Life with Drew Davenport (he/him), Academic Support Coordinator and Adjunct Professor | Gathering Glimmers is an interactive workshop that will challenge participants to recognize the beauty that surrounds us each day. Whether a brief moment, a small gesture, or seemingly insignificant detail, being able to take the time to recognize and acknowledge these glimmers helps us to become the very best versions of ourselves. Through self-reflection and meaningful conversations, participants will enhance their self-care journey by identifying what is special to them as an individual and what brings them joy.
Location: Eynon Ballroom, Window Side
11:45 AM | Service Project + Campus Partner Tables
Military Service Project: Spread some holiday cheer to those who serve by helping assemble care packages for service members stationed away from home during the holiday season. You can also connect with campus partners to learn more about the services and resources available to support you.
Campus partner tables include Academic Support Programs, Advising & Career Exploration, Belonging & Student Engagement, Center for Neurodiversity, LRC-South and Pet Therapy
Location: Eynon Ballroom, Foyer
12:15 PM | Lunch & Keynote
Leading with Heart: When Belonging Sparks Becoming! with Kevin S. Koett, Vice Chancellor of Student Life/Dean of Students | Rooted in the theme “Becoming and Belonging: Growth Happens Here,” this session invites participants to join in an interactive journey to reimagine their unique potential. Authentic belonging is not a passive experience but a dynamic force that ignites personal and collective growth. Participants will be energized to fuel their spark for leading with heart, building a sense of belonging, and helping themselves and others to embrace the Rowan (and beyond) experience with passion!
Location: Eynon Ballroom, Window Side
1:00 PM | Giveaways & Closing
Special Summit Features (all day)
- Summit Sensory Suite (off the Ballroom Foyer)
Take a moment to unwind in the Summit Sensory Room, a calming space where you can relax and recharge. The room includes flexible seating, alternative lighting, fidgets, a creative station, and more. Resources are provided by the Center for Neurodiversity and LRC-South. - Summit Raffle: Share Your Growth Goal (Main Entrance)
Write down a personal growth goal on a leaf and add it to the Summit display. Enter to win a free iPad!
Highlights
- Free lunch & T-shirt at check-in
- Student panel & success workshops
- Vendor fair & campus partner connections
- Sensory room for relaxation
- Chance to win an iPad!
Questions? Contact universitycollege@rowan.edu
A University College event sponsored by the Office of the President, Student Centers & Campus Activities, and Office of Winter & Summer Sessions.
3rd Annual Student Success Summit
The 2024 Student Success Summit, themed “Becoming & Belonging: What’s Your Story?”, brought together students, faculty, and staff for a day of poetry, panels, and workshops that celebrated personal journeys, resilience, and community. From storytelling sessions to career reflections and care package volunteering, the event sparked connection and empowered attendees to embrace their unique paths to success. Learn More