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Student Success Centre: 2024-2025 in Review

As part of Student Affairs, the Student Success Centre is dedicated to helping all students and recent alumni thrive and succeed.

We recognize that students arrive with unique experiences, goals, and aspirations. Our wraparound approach to student success is grounded in the pillars of inclusion, integration, and impact and is brought to life through our diverse portfolios and engagements. Whether through one-on-one appointments, programs, A2L courses, classroom visits, socials, events, or experiential, employment or global opportunities, we continue to scale our model of program and service delivery while remaining deeply student-centred.

Collaboration is central to our work. We engage with students as co-creators, working closely with the McMaster Students Union, the Graduate Students Association, the Student Services Advisory Committee, student staff, peer leaders, and many others to ensure we are both proactive and responsive to emergent student needs. We also actively collaborate with campus and community partners to inform and enhance student learning and experiences.

Learning is a lifelong journey we are privileged to share with our students. Across our team, staff engage in ongoing professional and personal development through further education, credentialing, course design, mentorship, networking and experiential learning. We recognize that students are continually evolving. As champions of student success, we remain committed to listening, learning, and adapting to meet both their current experiences and future aspirations.

At the core of all we do is alignment with our Student Affairs vision: for all students to belong, become, and contribute. To everyone who collaborates with us in this work, thank you for your trust and for being part of this journey together.

 

 

 

Dr. Arlene Fajutrao Dosen ’94
MA, EdD

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We are dedicated to empowering every student to thrive and succeed by providing support tailored to their unique journey. We take a holistic, wraparound approach to student success, beginning the moment a student accepts their offer and continuing up to five years post-graduation. This journey is supported through intentional design that meets students where they are and helps them navigate toward their goals, accelerating access to opportunity and enabling equity for every student from the moment they engage with us.

Inclusion

Champion a holistic student support model that respects student positionality and intersectionality, leverages their unique strengths and customizes support to enable effective growth and learning.

Integration

Build and foster community, strategic purpose and cohesion with the SSC units, campus and community partners to support a holistic, transformational and personalized experience for all students.

Impact

Explore expanded ways to support students as they transition to careers and post-graduate study, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and competencies to succeed.

Our Student Success Centre Model 

  1. McMaster Access Program 
  2. Student Transition, Retention and Success 
  3. Career Counselling and Employment Services 
  4. International and Exchange Student Experience 
  5. Experiential Learning, Leadership and Global Experience 
  6. Writing and Academic Skills 
  7. Financial Literacy (Mac’s Money Centre) 
  8. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Skills at The Forge 
  9. Spiritual Care and Learning Centre 
  10. Marketing, Communications and Events

The Student Success Centre (SSC) model relies on strong collaboration with our Student Affairs, McMaster Students Union and Graduate Students Association partners. We also value partnerships with our Office of the Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning), Office of the Registrar, School of Graduate Studies, Office of International Affairs, Equity and Inclusion Office colleagues and Faculty, School and Program partners. In addition, the SSC proudly partners with the Office of Alumni Engagement to support the delivery of Alumni Career Services. 

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Student Engagement: By Faculty

Discover how our programs and services are supporting students from all Faculties across campus.

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High-touch, personalized support, such as one-on-one appointments, continues to be a demand offering that can often lay a foundation for students. In 2024–2025, the Student Success Centre experienced this impact firsthand, with increased student appointments reflecting the growing need for individualized support. Students who feel capable are more likely to persist through challenges, engage in campus life, and achieve academic, personal, and professional success (Luo et al., 2023; Wang & Zhang, 2024).

Adopting an anticipatory approach to student needs, we proactively identify emerging trends and challenges before they escalate. This is enabled through the strategic use of data collected from customer service interactions, appointment and session engagement, social listening, student and partner consultations, and analytics across digital platforms such as our website, email campaigns, and social media channels. These insights empower us to remain informed and agile, making our services and communications timely and relevant. Grounded in a deep understanding of student behaviour and preferences, our decisions reflect responsiveness and forward-thinking, data-driven expertise supporting meaningful and high-impact engagement.

8,890

one-on-one appointments, a 5.85% increase from 2023-2024

63K+

attendees at sessions and workshops

3,797

opportunities posted on OSCARplus

2,850

global and local experiences, including international exchange, research and short-term opportunities

Our Career Counselling Model

The Student Success Centre’s career counselling model is built around four interconnected areas: Reflect, Explore, Connect, and Develop.

This model helps students reflect on their strengths, values, interests, and identities through one-on-one appointments to build self-awareness and clarity. From there, counsellors guide them to explore educational and career possibilities, connect them to opportunities through job search and application strategies, and ultimately empower them to develop career navigation skills and a deeper understanding of who they are and who they want to become.

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In 2024–2025, we intentionally leveraged on-campus spaces to foster environments where students feel seen and supported. These welcoming spaces help position the Student Success Centre and McMaster as trusted places for connection, guidance, and growth.

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Supporting connections for first-years in the Student Success Centre’s Space

Before Fall Reading Week, the Student Success Centre hosted an event connecting students through shared birthdays and interactive activities. Designed as a low barrier to entry, this event encouraged early engagement with staff and peers, helping students build community and feel a sense of belonging from the outset of their university experience.

Hosting programs and socials at the Writing and Academic Skills Hub

Through strategic collaboration with the Access Program and Student Accessibility Services, our Writing and Academic Skills Hub hosted programming and socials that fostered academic confidence and community. These inclusive learning environments were tailored to support students from equity-deserving backgrounds.

Increasing access to prayer spaces on campus

In collaboration with the Spiritual Care and Learning Centre (SCLC), campus partners, and MSU Clubs with religious and spiritual status, McMaster expanded access to prayer spaces across campus. These spaces were made more accessible with extended hours during significant times of the year, supporting students’ spiritual and cultural needs.

Expanding in-person supports for graduate students

As part of strategic alignment funding, the Student Success Centre furthered academic and career support models in partnership with the School of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Students Association. Through active consultation, we also enhanced our customer service model, offering just-in-time support tailored to the evolving needs of graduate learners. These improvements reflect our commitment to responsive, student-centred service and a holistic approach to graduate success.

International and Exchange Student Art Exhibit

Launched in August 2024, this co-created installation featured artwork by nine student artists, reflecting the lived experiences of international and exchange students. The exhibit reinforced McMaster’s commitment to inclusive excellence and was recognized with a Bronze Award for Best Student/Alumni Initiative by the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE).

Students explored interdisciplinary interests and gained hands-on experience beyond formal co-op programs through structured projects, micro-placements, and exploratory activities. These included applying learning in real-world settings, participating in hackathons and job shadowing, and engaging in professionalism training and networking events.

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Facilitating short-term experiential learning opportunities

Students explored interdisciplinary interests and gained hands-on experience outside formal co-op programs.

I thought research only happened once you got a job in the field or you were a graduate student. To already have research experience as an undergrad is something I’ll forever be grateful for.

— Cloe

Providing equitable employment opportunities and supports

Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) provides personalized career support and inclusive resources for students and recent alumni (up to five years) who identify as a person with a disability or someone who has been forcibly displaced. In 2024-2025, CAPS served 246 active clients.

I was able to express my genuine struggles with the job search and job application process and be comforted and validated for the type of unique individual I am, given my non-existent work experience and struggles with my disability and mental health[.] […] I could be vulnerable with my frustrations and sadness toward my situation and not feel judged for how I showed up.

— CAPS student

Supporting exploration of further education and continued learning at McMaster

The Student Success Centre helped students explore and prepare for further studies, including graduate school, through one-on-one appointments and events such as the Graduate and Professional Schools Fair.

I wanted to thank you for your invaluable support and guidance throughout the application process. Your help with my application played a crucial role in helping me achieve this milestone. This journey hasn’t been short or traditional one. […] Thank you once again for believing in me and for your continued encouragement.

— Undergraduate student

Storytelling through the Access Award video series

Developed with and led by Access Program students in 2024, this video series featuring five students promoted the Access Award to incoming students this year.

We aimed to capture the essence of student experiences, the triumphs, and the challenges that have shaped their journey within our program and at McMaster. It’s about honouring dignity and resilience along the journey.

— Ebunoluwa (EB)

“Goodbye Home”: A Digital Skills Program Project

Co-created with Yambakam, a 2025 Science graduate, this heartfelt multimedia project reflects her undergraduate journey at McMaster—the connections she made, the support she received, and the personal growth she experienced. This project was sponsored by the Student Success Centre’s Digital Skills Program and funded through the Partnered in Teaching and Learning Seed Grant. The Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and the Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation, and Excellence in Teaching support the grant.

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Creating pathways for global engagement is a key part of our wraparound support model. Through international programs and strategic partnerships, the Student Success Centre helps students build intercultural competencies, gain global skills, and access transformative experiences that prepare them for a diverse and interconnected world.

Curricular opportunities abroad

Through the International Exchange Program, 474 students participated in inbound and outbound exchanges, gaining academic and cultural experiences that enriched their learning and broadened their perspectives.

Financial support for global experiences

The Student Success Centre facilitates funding to make global opportunities more accessible. 124 Global Experience Award grants issued, totalling $95,652, supporting undergraduate and graduate students in pursuing international opportunities.

Preparing students for immersive global experiences

In 2024, five McMaster students joined a national cohort of McCall MacBain International Fellows, receiving up to $30,000 for immersive global experiences. A comprehensive support model helped double participation, with 10 fellows preparing to go abroad in the upcoming year.

Connecting students to high-impact global projects

Through the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP), five students completed paid, research-based placements in Liberia and Ghana, funded by Global Affairs Canada. This initiative, part of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, was made possible through a partnership with McMaster University (Office of the International Affairs, Student Success Centre, Black Student Success Centre, and the African-Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster), Empowerment Squared, and Schools of Dreams.

Research Abroad Experience in Japan

While studying at the University of Osaka, Tyler gained hands-on research experience in molecular neuroscience. This opportunity informed his thesis project and allowed him to explore new dimensions of his academic interests in an international setting. The experience exemplifies how global learning can deepen subject expertise and foster personal growth.

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A sense of belonging is central to the student experience at McMaster. In 2024–2025, the Student Success Centre supported students and new alumni through various programs and events designed to foster connection, comfort, and community.

Supporting first-year transitions Learn more

Through programs like Mac101, MacStart, Ignite, Airport Welcome, and Welcome Week, thousands of students were welcomed and supported before arriving on campus. These early touchpoints—offered throughout the spring and summer—help students build confidence, make connections, and feel part of the McMaster community from day one.

A Harvest Dinner for international students Learn more

Hosted during Fall Reading Break by the Spiritual Care and Learning Centre and Ecumenical Chaplaincy Centre, the Harvest Dinner offered international students a warm, welcoming space to gather. The evening featured a shared meal at The Buttery, cultural exchange activities, and support from McMaster community members who served as table hosts.

Taste of Home: Intercultural celebration through food Learn more

In partnership with Hospitality Services, the Student Success Centre invited international and exchange students and alumni to share recipes from their home countries. These dishes were served at La Piazza during McMaster’s Annual Holiday Market, offering students a chance to celebrate their cultures and share a piece of home with the campus community.

Supporting our recent alumni community for 20 years Learn more

Alumni Career Services, offered in partnership with the Alumni Association, supports alumni for up to five years post-graduation as they transition into the alumni community. In 2024 alone, the program facilitated 1,136 one-on-one career appointments. Beyond individual support, alumni also engage through events and opportunities to return as guest speakers or hiring employers. Currently, there are 2,651 alumni employer profiles and 43,509 alumni profiles actively engaged.

“Dear First Year Me,” featuring new alumni

Graduating students connected to the Student Success Centre share their advice and encouragement with their first-year selves in this reflective video. Drawing from their experiences at McMaster, they offer insights related to personal growth, resilience, and the importance of community. Capturing the spirit of giving back, “Dear First Year Me” welcomes incoming students and demonstrates our Student Affairs vision for every student to belong, become and contribute.

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At the Student Success Centre, we are committed to helping students build career-ready skills and access meaningful employment. In 2024–2025, we expanded initiatives that invest in student talent.

Investing in employment pathways at McMaster

In partnership with Human Resources, we continue to position McMaster as an employer of choice for students, with 486 student engagements. The Work On-Campus Fair, held in the Winter term, connects students to job opportunities across campus. The Student Staff Development Conference brings together student employees from across the university for a day of skill-building, networking, and reflection.

Canada’s largest volunteer tax program

Through the Student Success Centre’s Tax Squad, 123 student volunteers helped file 2,540 tax returns valued at $7M+. This program provides students with hands-on training and experience in financial literacy, client services, and community engagement, while offering a valuable service to peers and community members.

Connecting students to work-integrated learning opportunities

Through Student Talent Connect, developed by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with McMaster University, Mohawk College, Redeemer University, and Workforce Planning Hamilton, employers gained access to post-secondary student talent and students engaged in work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities. The program offered one-on-one support, resources, and four networking events that connected employers with students and institutional partners. McMaster exceeded its goal of 180 placements, achieving 313 student placements across internships, co-ops, and field placements.

Fostering employment connections

Annual career events such as the Fall Career Fair and Connect to Careers bring together over 225 employers offering thousands of job opportunities. These events help students and recent alumni build professional networks and secure employment, with some students gaining new graduate employment as early as the Fall term of their final year.

McMaster students reflect on the “Value of Volunteering”

This video feature showcases McMaster student volunteers who have engaged with the Student Success Centre’s programs, sharing the skills, connections, and personal growth they gained through service. Highlighted roles include Residence Orientation Rep, Peer Leader, and International Student Buddy, positions that foster leadership, intercultural understanding, and community building.

Student Affairs is supported by a diversified funding portfolio, including student fees, allocations from the university’s operating framework, ministry funding, medical billings and other revenue sources.

In fiscal year 2024–2025, the operating allocation represented approximately 18.67% of the total funding sources for Student Affairs ($44.08M, excluding Housing & Conference Services).

Total Sources of Funding Student Affairs

Student Affairs Total: $44.08M

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Student Affairs: Together We Thrive 2024–2025 Annual Report  Learn more

Learn more about how departments across Student Affairs are making an impact. 

Spiritual Care and Learning Centre (SCLC) Year in Review: 2024–2025 Learn more

As part of the Student Success Centre, the SCLC is a vibrant community of communities, where students from diverse religious, secular and spiritual backgrounds find space to reflect, connect, learn and grow.