Who We Are The Office of Access, Connections & Engagement (OACE) plays a pivotal role in fostering a welcoming campus environment that promotes the success of all students. When it comes to the student experience, we understand that it is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. OACE is committed to providing the adequate resources designed to support students from all backgrounds by leading and contributing to initiatives that prioritize access and opportunity through targeted outreach and support services. Our efforts aim to create a more cohesive support network for students by ensuring they have all the tools and opportunities necessary in order to thrive and be successful in life after UAH. Through these initiatives, we strive to create an environment where every individual feels valued and connected. What We Do The fundamental mission of the Office of Access, Connections and Engagement (OACE) focuses on the development and implementation of strategies to increase access to higher education for students from all backgrounds and experiences. OACE is committed to cultivating and sustaining a welcoming campus environment in which all students, faculty, staff, and administrators can thrive and succeed in accomplishing their academic, personal, and career goals. Access “Access” refers to the provision of opportunities, resources, and support systems that enable all individuals to enter, participate in, and benefit from the educational environment. This includes addressing and removing barriers that may prevent all students from fully engaging with and thriving in the academic community. Achieving access may look different from one person to the next - regardless of what that may look like for you, we will always do our very best to guide you in the right direction to get the access you need to be successful. Whether you are a student, professional, or somewhere in between - OACE works diligently to enhance access and opportunity for all at UAH. Connections "Connections" foster meaningful relationships, networks, and interactions among campus and the broader community are an essential part of the student experience. These connections aim to build a support system and network so that students feel motivated along their college journey as well as their future beyond UAH. Engagement "Engagement" requires active involvement and participation among all members of the UAH community in initiatives, activities, and practices that promote a well-rounded environment conducive to personal, scholastic, and professional development. Engagement encompasses efforts to ensure that everyone is welcomed and meaningfully engaged within UAH and the Greater Huntsville community as well. How We Do It By utilizing a strategic Framework, in keeping with our educational mission, OACE leads UAH in identifying and accomplishing goals relative to increasing the recruitment, retention, and graduation of students by serving the whole student. Simple Framework Awareness: Understanding institutional needs, demographics, phenomena, and other data Alignment: Aligning data, perspectives, and understandings with UAH’s missions and vision Aim: Setting strategic, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (S.M.A.R.T.) benchmarks that are appropriate for UAH Action: Identifying strategies and initiatives to achieve our educational mission Accountability: Being responsive to the needs and interests of students, faculty, staff, and constituents to the accomplishment of our educational mission Assessment: Studying quality indicators relating to accomplishing the educational mission of the university OACE is committed to supporting UAH's institutional progress through these core competencies. Whether it's directing our students and graduates toward opportunities for Access, building community and creating Connections among our staff, faculty, and student populations, or providing our future Chargers avenues for Engagement within their soon-to-be "home away from home" - success is our priority: Choose UAH, a pre-collegiate initiative, where the Office will engage with the UAH Admissions Office to promote the campus to high schools throughout Alabama. UAH Today will help all current students to navigate and create connections across the campus community. Finally, Success After UAH will be geared towards helping all students access options after graduation that will lead them to a rewarding future.
