The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University’s Columbus campus serves more than 55,000 students across 15 colleges, 200 undergraduate majors, and 250 master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs. Striving to advance the well-being of the people of Ohio and the global community through the creation and dissemination of knowledge, Ohio State is committed to excellence, collaboration as one university, acting with integrity, personal accountability, diversity in people and ideas, change and innovation, simplicity in its supporting processes, and openness and trust.

Leading the Office of Student Life at Ohio State and exemplifying these institutional values is Vice President Javaune Adams-Gaston. Dr. Adams-Gaston, or Dr. J, as she is affectionately known, is responsible for overseeing 2,000 staff members and more than 5,000 student employees who work in more than 30 departments including housing and residence life, various campus health, wellness, and success centers, sorority and fraternity life, and the Ohio Union, among others.

Adams-Gaston believes the success of her office is due in large part to the work environment afforded to her staff. She shares, “In the Office of Student Life at The Ohio State University, our vision is to create an extraordinary
experience for every student at our institution, and we know this starts with providing an exceptional and supportive environment for our extraordinary staff . I could not be more proud that we have been included among such distinguished company on the list of Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs.”

The strategies, programs, and services offered through the Office of Student Life are backed by research and supported by data, and aim to foster student learning and development, enhance the educational experience, and are designed to help students transition into and through college, and prepare them for a lifetime of learning and contribution to a global society. The student life staff is committed to creating an extraordinary student experience and having a positive impact on the lives of students on all of Ohio State’s campuses. It is through these
commitments that The Ohio State University is one of this year’s Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs at Research Institutions.