Department website: https://www.vanguard.edu/student-life

Amanda Lebrecht, MA, Vice President for Student Development

STUDENT LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

The Department of Student Development exists to shape campus culture, promote community, and foster student success.  Programs and services are designed to create a seamless learning environment to assist students in all areas of personal growth, including their adjustment to university life.

The Four-Year Discipleship Plan (FYDP) is the foundation for Vanguard University's co-curricular educational programs and services.  The FYDP was designed to create a dynamic partnership with Vanguard's academic programs.  Inside and outside of the classroom, the University seeks to foster an atmosphere and promote learning opportunities that shape students into dynamic and well-rounded followers of Jesus.  To that end, Student Development and other co-curricular departments promote holistic development of students in a manner that furthers Vanguard's mission of cultivating Spirit-empowered, Christ-centered leaders.

The FYDP is comprised of five educational domains, which guide the programming of Student Development, along with the Office of Global Education & Outreach and Career Services.  Every co-curricular department works together to create services and events that provide education within each domain over the course of four years.

STUDENT HOUSING

Department Website: https://www.vanguard.edu/student-life/residence-life

The University provides housing for traditional undergraduate students. Because Vanguard University is primarily a residential University, all single freshman and sophomore students less than 21 years of age are required to live in university-owned housing unless they are residing with a parent or legal guardian. Additionally, on and off campus students are not permitted to live with members of the opposite sex other than their spouse and/or sibling (as long as sibling does not have another roommate of same gender).  All Residence Halls come furnished with an extra-long twin bed, mattress, desk, chair, and a shared dresser.   Students will need to provide their own linens, towels, blankets, pillow, and bedspread.  Residence rooms are designed for double, triple, or quadruple occupancy.  The Residence Life program is supervised by the Associate Dean of Residence Life, and each residence facility is under the supervision of a professional Resident Director and student Resident Assistants.

The University reserves the right to hold periodic room inspections of the residence areas without advance notice. All campus housing is closed during Christmas break as the right of occupancy does not include Christmas Break. Additional information regarding Residence Life is located in the Student Handbook.

ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE

Broad participation is encouraged in the many student activities Vanguard University provides. Eligibility to participate in all co-curricular activities is determined in part by the student’s educational record.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION: CHAPEL

Department Website: https://www.vanguard.edu/student-life/spiritual-formation

Based on the core values of Vanguard University: Truth - Virtue - Service, the VU Spiritual Formation Department seeks the development of students in the following areas:

• TRUTH: To help students grow in their Knowledge of Scripture and be able to apply eternal life principles in their daily lives (John 8:31).
• VIRTUE: To help students develop in Spiritual Maturity by engaging in various spiritual practices and disciplines that point them toward a life of wholeness in Christ (Ephesians 4; Galatians 5).
• SERVICE: To encourage students to engage in Spirit Empowered Leadership so they may demonstrate their faith in Jesus through works of service and servant leadership (Acts 1:4-8; Romans 12; Ephesians 2:8-10).

VU Chapel is a gathering place where students and other VU community members are able to come together to glorify Jesus through worship music, while also receiving spiritual blessing and instruction through the teaching and preaching of the Bible. Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 (NLT), “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” A willing spirit and heart are key distinctives for spiritual development and integration in the Vanguard community. In partnership with the local church, the VU Spiritual Formation Department seeks to help guide students in their discipleship and formation as followers of Jesus, but does not exist to replace local church communities.  VU Chapel is not intended to be “The Church,” but The Church/the people of God gather together to worship Jesus and learn from His word in VU chapel settings. Students are encouraged to invest and serve in a local church community of their choosing. In addition to over 100 online partial and Alternative chapel credits that are offered by SFD and numerous other VU departments through the course of the semester, core Spiritual Formation VU Chapels include, but are not limited to the following opportunities:  

• Monday Night Excavate-deep dive into Scripture
• Morning VU Chapel worship gatherings Tuesday through Thursday
• Commuter Chapel and Online Chapel Experiences via the SFD YouTube Channel
• La Capilla-Spanish Worship Experience
• Small Group & Bible studies, Pastoral Care meetings, Servant Leadership and special ministry events in partnership with VU departments or outside Christian outreach organizations.
• Special Chapel ministry events providing students with Spirit-Empowered leadership opportunities.

Chapel participation is first an opportunity for spiritual maturation and secondly a purpose driven requirement for all undergraduate students, as mandated by the University Board of Trustees with the intent of facilitating spiritual vitality and growth. Chapel attendance is recorded, and each student should monitor their attendance to ensure that they meet their requirement.  The purpose of this type of chapel accountability is to continually emphasize the importance of spiritual development during each student’s time at Vanguard.  To neglect the spiritual part of our development is to neglect a core part of our human experience. For that reason, Vanguard maintains chapel involvement as a requirement for the student experience—and we take seriously this aspect of each student’s experience and education.  If a student does not meet their chapel attendance expectations, there will be disciplinary actions in the form of additional fines, as instituted by the University and possibly further academic and/or co-curricular restrictions.  It is our hope that students will thoroughly review their options as communicated from the Spiritual Formation office via email correspondence. The opportunity to glorify Jesus and learn from His Word together in VU Chapel is an amazing communal experience to be celebrated at Vanguard University!

STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND STUDENT ORGANIZED PROGRAMMING

Vanguard University endorses and practices self-government by students. The Student Government Association (SGA) works within the larger context of the University community, its values, and objectives. Specifically, student government is a means to promote spiritual and academic vitality and growth. The SGA serves as a liaison between students and administration, staff and faculty, providing a means for discussion and solution of student issues. All members of the student body are supported by the SGA Executive Board and can vote in elections for the SGA President. SGA is a part of the Office of Student Engagement and Inclusion (SEI), is advised by the Vice President for Student Development and the Assistant Director of Student Development and Success.

The Campus and Commuters Programs (CCP) team is an organization designed to promote various student activities and campus traditions and provide intentional programming for commuter students. The CCP team plans and promotes student activities, fosters community development and social growth opportunities, and encourages a healthy, active student culture and community. The CCP team is a part of SEI and is supervised by the Associate Director of Student Engagement. 

STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

Department Website: https://www.vanguard.edu/academics/academic-programs/undergrad/english 

The Vanguard Voice is a student publication overseen by the Department of English. It is primarily focused on campus news and information of interest to the university community. Students enrolled in the Introduction to Journalism, the Minor in Journalism and Digital Media, or who are simply interested in journalism, are eligible to join newspaper staff. This is an excellent opportunity to develop and hone their writing skills. 

Synecdoche is Vanguard University's literary journal. This annual publication is entirely student-run as the graduating seniors of the English department serve as its Editorial Board. The journal itself is exclusively comprised of student content in the categories of Scholarly Works, Creative Works (short stories, poetry, stage plays, and creative nonfiction) Scholarly Works;, and Photography and Artwork. 

CAMPUS RECREATION AND INTRAMURAL SPORTS

Department Website: IMLeagues.com/vanguard 

Recreational and intramural sport opportunities are offered through Vanguard University Recreation (VU Rec), which is a division of the Athletics Department.  VU Rec provides the Vanguard community opportunities to live a healthy, active lifestyle and promotes personal development through physical activity, sport leagues and tournaments, and outdoor experiences.  VU Rec offers a variety of opportunities for participants to find an activity they enjoy, including indoor and outdoor soccer, volleyball, flag football, basketball, dodge ball, ultimate Frisbee, spike ball, and many more. VU Rec also oversees the student fitness center, open recreation time in the gymnasium, open turf time on the soccer field, as well as hikes and guided outdoor trips.  Also located in the Fitness Center, there is the VU Rec Equipment Rental Hub for students to rent out lawn games, camping equipment and much more. For more information regarding intramural sports and recreation, please email vurec@vanguard.edu.

SAMSON'S CAREER CLOSET

Under Career Services, Samson’s Career Pop-Up Closet provides you with professional attire and resources such as headshots for your interviews, career fairs, and/or networking events. Career Services wants to ensure you make a great and competitive first impression for an internship or job. If you are you in need of professional clothing, schedule your Career Closet appointment and get free business attire by logging into VUConnect and completing a Career Services appointment request for the Career Closet. The closet will also be out during Career Services events throughout the year. 

LIVING WELL COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER

The Living Well Community Resource Center intends to provide students with adequate support and supplies in all areas that may hinder their academic success and or well-being. We aim to ensure each student is equipped with the proper resources in order to succeed academically, by eliminating all forms of insecurities and instilling hope to those in need. Our goal is to lend a helping hand to VU community members who need food and hygiene products, clothing, books, and laptops. We want to ensure a worry-free school year by coming together as a community to eliminate food and housing insecurity by accommodating each other’s needs.