Meet & Greet: Jacob Dunwiddie</h1> <article> <h1>Meet & Greet: Jacob Dunwiddie</h1> <p>eburnett — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:26:01 +0000</p> <span>Meet & Greet: Jacob Dunwiddie</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-18T11:26:01-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - 11:26">Wed, 03/18/2026 - 11:26</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="/jacob-dunwiddie" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="5af6a34b-bba0-4b02-a25e-7724e70f8032" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Jacob Dunwiddie">Jacob Dunwiddie</a> is the Senior Director of Student Success in the <a href="/center-student-success" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="e8cf52e5-f480-4c74-9e5e-cee937d75b62" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Center for Student Success">Center for Student Success</a>, located in Stevenson Hall. He also chairs 91ֱ��’s LEAD program: Learning Enhancement Across the Disciplines, through which students build vital academic and life skills to support their long-term success. We caught up with Jacob to learn more about his work.</p><p><strong>Please describe your primary responsibilities or what a typical day might look like.</strong></p><p>I coach all Obies to help them reach their full potential! That looks like serving as chair for LEAD, meeting one on one with students for success coaching, and supporting events and services targeted toward sophomore students. In a typical day, I meet with students and colleagues across campus, teach LEAD classes, and collaborate with others to find ways to best support all students during their time at 91ֱ�� and beyond.</p><p><strong>What's something people might be surprised to learn about your work or your office?</strong></p><p>I think people would be surprised to learn that we have full-time CSS staff dedicated to working one on one with students to offer personalized success coaching—similar to life coaching but with a special focus on the college experience. Our team and I are constantly thinking about how we can improve our coaching, increase access to coaching or our materials, and encourage students to use success coaching throughout their time at 91ֱ��.</p><p><strong>If your office had a theme song, what would it be?</strong></p><p>“Happy” by Pharrell Williams</p><p><strong>What makes 91ֱ�� special to you?</strong></p><p>The students, full stop. I am constantly impressed by every interaction I have with an 91ֱ�� student because of their deep level of care and engagement toward their education, their community, and the world.</p><p><strong>What's your favorite 91ֱ�� space and why?</strong></p><p>Peters Hall is my favorite building overall, but there’s a particular classroom on the second floor—right where the spire begins and rises open all the way to the top—that stands out to me. It was the first classroom I taught in at 91ֱ��, and to this day, I still hope my courses are assigned to that room.</p><p><strong>What's something you've learned that you wish all students could know?</strong></p><p>Faculty and staff are here to support you. I often hear students say they’re navigating challenges on their own, without realizing how much help is available to them. Please know that we are here for you. If you’re trying to figure something out and aren’t sure where to start, ask for help. Stop by CSS—even if we don’t have the exact answer, we’ll connect you with the right person and help you understand what to expect in the next steps or meetings.</p><p><strong>What do you enjoy doing away from work?</strong></p><p>I love trying new hobbies. Right now, I enjoy gardening, baking sourdough, and crocheting. Most of my job is meeting with people—either students or campus members—which I love, so I try more physical or tactile experiences outside of work to create some balance in my day.</p><p><strong>Please share a fun fact about you!</strong></p><p>During elementary, middle, and high school, I was an avid choir student who appeared in frequent show choirs, chambers, and musical theater performances!</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">What's the best thing about working in the Center for Student Success? The student successes, of course!</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-18T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/18/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4377">Staff Profiles</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Through teaching LEAD courses, Jacob Dunwiddie has come to love a very particular corner of campus. Read on to find out where it is.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Meet & Greet: Maria O’Connor</h1> <p>eburnett — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:24:01 +0000</p> <span>Meet & Greet: Maria O’Connor</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-16T10:24:01-04:00" title="Monday, March 16, 2026 - 10:24">Mon, 03/16/2026 - 10:24</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><a href="/maria-oconnor" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ba46fb62-39f5-445d-b22b-c9e17197152c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Maria O’Connor">Maria O’Connor</a> is 91ֱ��’s Associate Vice President and Chief Data Analytics Officer in the <a href="/institutional-effectiveness" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2e46a41a-c287-4c57-ac6d-4e86dfd30c21" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Institutional Effectiveness & Planning">Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning</a>. She arrived at 91ֱ�� in summer 2025 after previously working at John Carroll University, Hiram College, and Emerson College. Maria’s office—in the Cox Administration Building—coordinates campus surveys and a whole lot more. We asked her to fill us in.</p><p><strong>Tell us about your role and the work of IEP.</strong></p><p>I oversee a team that collects, analyzes, and reports institutional data to inform decision-making, planning, and assessment efforts across the college. Our work supports strategic initiatives and promotes the effective use of data at the institution.</p><p><strong>What do you like most about your role here?</strong></p><p>One of my favorite aspects of working at 91ֱ�� is the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the college who are doing such interesting and meaningful work. I also enjoy the variety of projects we take on—it keeps the work engaging and fresh.</p><p><strong>What's something people might be surprised to learn about your work or your office?</strong></p><p>We tend to operate behind the scenes, so not everyone is aware of our office. However, we collaborate with nearly every department on campus, supporting initiatives that span the entire institution. In the time since I arrived, our team has worked with the President’s Office, General Counsel, Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, Career Exploration and Development, and Athletics, to name just a few.</p><p><strong>What's your favorite 91ֱ�� space and why?</strong></p><p>Tappan Square is my favorite space on campus. I love being able to step outside my office and immediately be in the middle of a green space. It’s a great place to reset during the day.</p><p><strong>Please share a fun fact about you or something you're good at.</strong></p><p>In 2022, I successfully defended my dissertation and later that same day went to the hospital to deliver my first daughter!</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">91ֱ��'s head of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning supports strategic, informed campus decision-making.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-16T12:00:00Z">Mon, 03/16/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4377">Staff Profiles</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Though some may be unfamiliar with the work of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, Maria O'Connor's office routinely collaborates with other offices all over campus.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Meet & Greet: Kayla Hebebrand</h1> <p>eburnett — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:48:20 +0000</p> <span>Meet & Greet: Kayla Hebebrand</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-27T09:48:20-05:00" title="Friday, February 27, 2026 - 09:48">Fri, 02/27/2026 - 09:48</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div role="listitem"><div jsname="ibnC6b" jscontroller="rDGJeb" jsaction="sPvj8e:e4JwSe,Dlbleb;O22p3e:e4JwSe,F0zejc;" data-item-id="1955442063"><div><div><div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.1955442063">Student Success Coach <a href="/kayla-hebebrand" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="9463fcb5-cbdb-4afa-b9bb-1eb2d2c24fac" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Kayla Hebebrand"><strong>Kayla Hebebrand</strong></a> joined 91ֱ�� in January 2025, after previously serving as a licensed professional counselor in a Northeast Ohio private practice. As part of the <a href="/dean-of-students/center-student-success" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="53fa58fe-0765-49f3-bf3a-cb69a73578da" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Center for Student Success">Center for Student Success</a>—which you can find in Stevenson Hall—she revels in the wide-ranging ways she in her colleagues are able to support the journey of <em>very busy</em> Obies. We caught up with Kayla to learn more about her work and her perspective.</div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.1955442063"> </div></div></div></div></div></div><div role="listitem"><div jsname="ibnC6b" jscontroller="rDGJeb" jsaction="sPvj8e:e4JwSe,Dlbleb;O22p3e:e4JwSe,F0zejc;" data-item-id="24281846"><div><div><div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.24281846"><strong>Tell us about your primary responsibilities with CSS.</strong></div></div></div></div><div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="Please describe your primary responsibilities or what a typical day might look like." aria-disabled="true" role="textbox">Most of my day consists of meeting with students one on one to discuss how they want to manage their time. Many of them are involved in multiple student organizations, athletics, have loaded course schedules, and have jobs on campus. </div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="Please describe your primary responsibilities or what a typical day might look like." aria-disabled="true" role="textbox"> </div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="Please describe your primary responsibilities or what a typical day might look like." aria-disabled="true" role="textbox">We discuss practical ways of balancing their priorities while also practicing self-care. Success coaching can also include <a href="/center-student-success/learning-and-development/cliftonstrengths">Clifton Strengths assessment</a> follow-ups for students to process their results and learn more about how they can apply their strengths in practical ways. </div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="Please describe your primary responsibilities or what a typical day might look like." aria-disabled="true" role="textbox"> </div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="Please describe your primary responsibilities or what a typical day might look like." aria-disabled="true" role="textbox">Our office helps Obies understand themselves, create connections, and build practical skills. Part of creating connections is identifying what types of social circles they want to invest their time in and what they value in connections. In order to understand ourselves, we need to identify what we value and how those values show up in our actions as we navigate our communities and individual journeys.</div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="Please describe your primary responsibilities or what a typical day might look like." aria-disabled="true" role="textbox"> </div></div></div></div><div role="listitem"><div jsname="ibnC6b" jscontroller="rDGJeb" jsaction="sPvj8e:e4JwSe,Dlbleb;O22p3e:e4JwSe,F0zejc;" data-item-id="911487234"><div><div><div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.911487234"><strong>What's something people might be surprised to learn about the Center for Student Success?</strong></div></div></div></div><div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="What's something people might be surprised to learn about your work or your office?" aria-disabled="true" role="textbox">Typically, what students first come to CSS for isn't the core issue. We go deeper as we build rapport. Also, on a fun side note: If a student sees a lot of yellow and sunflowers—<em>bingo! </em>They made it to my office!</div></div></div></div><div role="listitem"><div jsname="ibnC6b" jscontroller="rDGJeb" jsaction="sPvj8e:e4JwSe,Dlbleb;O22p3e:e4JwSe,F0zejc;" data-item-id="1105411646"><div><div><div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.1105411646"> </div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.1105411646"><strong>If your office had a theme song, what would it be?</strong></div></div></div></div><div><div aria-describedby="c256" tabindex="0" aria-label="If your office had a theme song, what would it be?" aria-disabled="true" role="textbox">"Golden" by Jill Scott.</div></div></div></div><div role="listitem"><div jsname="ibnC6b" jscontroller="rDGJeb" jsaction="sPvj8e:e4JwSe,Dlbleb;O22p3e:e4JwSe,F0zejc;" data-item-id="25574467"><div><div><div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.25574467"> </div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.25574467"><strong>What makes 91ֱ�� special to you?</strong></div></div></div></div><div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="What makes 91ֱ�� special to you?" aria-disabled="true" role="textbox">91ֱ�� is so special to me because of all the trail blazers that came before me. All of the rich history that is part of 91ֱ�� makes me grateful and honored to be part of this compassionate community.</div></div></div></div><div role="listitem"><div jsname="ibnC6b" jscontroller="rDGJeb" jsaction="sPvj8e:e4JwSe,Dlbleb;O22p3e:e4JwSe,F0zejc;" data-item-id="2047492441"><div><div><div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.2047492441"> </div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.2047492441"><strong>What's your favorite 91ֱ�� space and why?</strong></div></div></div></div><div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="What's your favorite 91ֱ�� space and why?" aria-disabled="true" role="textbox">The Science Center, because it is so bright and full of natural light!</div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="What's your favorite 91ֱ�� space and why?" aria-disabled="true" role="textbox"> </div></div></div></div><div role="listitem"><div jsname="ibnC6b" jscontroller="rDGJeb" jsaction="sPvj8e:e4JwSe,Dlbleb;O22p3e:e4JwSe,F0zejc;" data-item-id="1947883555"><div><div><div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.1947883555"><strong>What's something you've learned that you wish all students could know?</strong></div></div></div></div><div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="What's something you've learned that you wish all students could know?" aria-disabled="true" role="textbox">You don't have to have it all figured out! Leave room in the margins and some amazing surprises will come your way.</div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="What's something you've learned that you wish all students could know?" aria-disabled="true" role="textbox"> </div></div></div></div><div role="listitem"><div jsname="ibnC6b" jscontroller="rDGJeb" jsaction="sPvj8e:e4JwSe,Dlbleb;O22p3e:e4JwSe,F0zejc;" data-item-id="293091796"><div><div><div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.293091796"><strong>What do you enjoy doing away from work?</strong></div></div></div></div><div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="What do you enjoy doing away from work?" aria-disabled="true" role="textbox">I love spending time with my wild orange cat Pua, volunteering at my church, writing poetry, and staying active!</div></div></div></div><div role="listitem"><div jsname="ibnC6b" jscontroller="rDGJeb" jsaction="sPvj8e:e4JwSe,Dlbleb;O22p3e:e4JwSe,F0zejc;" data-item-id="488339019"><div><div><div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.488339019"> </div><div role="heading" aria-describedby="i.desc.488339019"><strong>Please share a fun fact about you or something you're good at!</strong></div></div></div></div><div><div tabindex="0" aria-label="Please share a fun fact about you or something you're good at!" aria-disabled="true" role="textbox">I love traveling, especially internationally. This summer I will be traveling to the Dominican Republic.</div></div></div></div></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Get to know the Success Coach from 91ֱ��'s Center for Student Success.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">Campus News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-02-27T12:00:00Z">Fri, 02/27/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4377">Staff Profiles</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">"Our office helps Obies understand themselves, create connections, and build practical skills," says Success Coach Kayla Hebebrand. She encourages all students to leave room in their packed schedules for "amazing surprises."</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> </main></body></html>