Paige is a strategic communications professional specializing in higher education, cultural programming, and community engagement. She is an expert in crafting data-driven campaigns that are accessible to diverse audiences. A proud Michigan Tech alum, Paige earned her BS in Scientific and Technical Communication, along with minors in media production and psychology. She resides in Green Bay with her family.
Connecting you to resources, community, and success from Student Affairs at Michigan Tech
Welcome to the Student Affairs blog—your hub for practical advice, campus insights, and stories that matter to your Michigan Tech experience. Whether you’re navigating your first semester or preparing for graduation, we’re here to support your journey with timely information and genuine perspectives from the people who work with students every day.
The Early Intervention Team, also known as EIT, is responsible for reviewing and screening potential at-risk students and critical situations. The Early Intervention Team uses evidence-based strategies to identify early indicators of potential risks and harms to self and others. Through their efforts, the team can help at-risk students before they experience crisis.
New digital platform empowers families to support their students’ journey through Michigan Tech
Michigan Technological University today announced the launch of the Husky Family Den. This comprehensive digital platform is designed to strengthen family engagement and support student success throughout the college experience. The new portal provides families with centralized access to university resources, personalized communications, and tools to help their students thrive at Michigan Tech.
Director of International Programs and Services
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
As I sat in my office thinking of what I would write about for this article as a representation of what International Programs and Services (IPS) does, I realized it is likely most of the campus community does not know what it is that we do. Sometimes even the international contingent of our University does not truly know what we do. Much like every other department within Student Affairs, IPS handles the day-to-day support of students. For us, however, our focus is international students. From immigration status, to employment, to roommate issues and how best to engage with the community—IPS handles it all.
Director of Residence Education
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
The Division of Student Affairs aims to celebrate, support, and inspire all of our students. Residence Education, through the Residential Learning model, further expands upon the idea of supporting students through our focus on assisting students in building resilience. One of our learning outcomes states, students will embrace an adaptive mindset, which helps students to understand the differences between a fixed and growth mindset and identify opportunities for adaptive thinking.
Executive Director, Career Services
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
As universities continue to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education, the integration of a campus career ecosystem that emphasizes return on investment (ROI) is becoming increasingly critical. According to Rebekah Pare the career development department’s role has evolved beyond just placing students in jobs after graduation. Today, it is a core component of student success, institutional reputation, and long-term outcomes. A career ecosystem that prioritizes ROI helps to ensure that students are not only academically prepared but also strategically positioned to succeed in the workforce. This works to maximize the University’s value proposition to students, employers, and alumni.
Assistant Dean of Student Success and Director of the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
On December 17, 2024, a handful of offices processed several thousand grades. For many students, this resulted in a sigh of relief, or even celebration, but for some this news may not have been as joyous. On average, 100 students receive academic suspensions at the end of each semester. Of those 100 or so students, 50 percent of them appeal their suspension to the Scholastic Standards Committee. Nearly half of those appeals are approved each semester. The remaining students must sit out on suspension. Suspension terms last for one semester plus summer semester, or for an entire academic year.
Director of Student Leadership and Involvement
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Michigan Tech is currently home to 249 student organizations with 14 additional groups in the process of forming. These organizations contribute significantly to campus life and help to create a sense of belonging for many Huskies. During the 2023-2024 academic year alone, Student Leadership and Involvement oversaw over 180 travel requests, 600 event submissions, and $410,000 of allocated funding on behalf of student groups. This is no small feat, and we would not be able to do so without the support of advisors who provide day-to-day mentorship to each of our registered student organizations on campus.
Director, Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
It may not be surprising to hear that the mental health needs of college students have heightened in recent years; numerous articles and surveys have brought attention to the increased mental health challenges college students face. Impacts of this escalating concern are evident on campuses nationwide, emphasizing the critical need for a proactive and comprehensive approach to address the issue.
Assistant Dean of Academic Conduct
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Since the release of Chat GPT in November 2022, I have kept a close watch on how generative artificial intelligence (AI) might impact my work in academic conduct. So far, it hasn’t been significant. The use of AI overall in student affairs offers a range of benefits that can significantly enhance the student experience and administrative efficiency. One of the primary advantages is the ability of AI to provide personalized support to students. AI-driven chatbots can offer 24/7 assistance, answering common questions about campus resources, enrollment, financial aid, and more. This can improve accessibility and ensure students receive timely information, even outside of traditional office hours. AI can also analyze student data to identify those who may be at risk of academic or personal challenges, enabling early intervention by student affairs professionals. This proactive approach can lead to improved student retention and success rates.