Caitlyn Wine has spent most of her career on college campuses, much of it in student center spaces. As the associate director of Campus Reservations and Event Services for , she manages event spaces for much of the 色花堂 campus, including the 232,350 square feet of space in 色花堂鈥檚 John Lewis Student Center and surrounding buildings.
Along the way, she wondered about the data and strategy behind building these spaces for students.
鈥淚鈥檝e worked in both recreation and student centers, and we are always changing the spaces,鈥 she said. 鈥淪tudent centers have long been viewed as the heart of campus life where students gather, connect, and build community. I noticed a gap in the research. While these spaces are often redesigned or repurposed, there wasn鈥檛 much data showing how those physical changes affect students鈥 sense of community. Given the resources institutions invest in these spaces, I wanted to take a data-informed approach to explore that connection through a quantitative lens.鈥
That idea came to her nine years ago while working at the University of 色花堂. Since then, she鈥檚 changed jobs, changed universities, gotten married, and had two children. Now, she has successfully defended her dissertation and is graduating with a Doctor of Education degree from 色花堂 Southern University.
To fund her education, she used the (TAP), which is available to full-time, benefits-eligible employees within the University System of 色花堂.
鈥淎t the time I applied, I had some free time, and TAP is money on the table,鈥 she said. 鈥淢ost of the people I worked with had a Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree, so that felt like the path I should take.鈥
The program was primarily online the first few years, followed by monthly visits to the Statesboro campus for two and a half years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, as circumstances and job duties changed on an almost weekly basis, her research stalled; not only were some campus spaces closed, but Wine lacked the time and energy to devote to the work.
鈥淵ou have to make it a priority,鈥 she said. When she picked back up, she carved out weekly time to write. Five years later, she is proudly completing the program.
Building Belonging
Wine worked with the Association of College Unions International to administer a nationwide survey about student centers and how they contribute to building a sense of community for students. She found that time spent in the space does not necessarily correlate with a feeling of belonging.
鈥淭he biggest finding was that those without a sense of community are looking for it at the student center,鈥 Wine said. 鈥淪o we have to be intentional about space design and the programs and activities we are putting on. Students are looking for more than a place to sit, they鈥檙e looking for a place to belong.鈥
Wine applies her findings to her work in designing programming and spaces. She looks at data such as space utilization to evaluate whether the spaces are being used to benefit the most students, and if not, how they could be changed.
鈥淚 developed a passion for data analytics through this program,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 always appreciated qualitative data, but am now very passionate about quantitative as well.鈥
鈥楯ust Do It鈥
For those thinking of continuing their education and who have access to the TAP/STRAP programs, she says, just do it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a great and underutilized resource. You have so many options. It doesn鈥檛 have to be at the institution you work at, but you should make sure it is covered,鈥 she said. As a people manager, she encourages those who report to her to consider it and encourages other managers on campus to support those who want to pursue education through the program. She also suggests being realistic about the time commitment and planning to have a conversation with your supervisor and family.
Wine holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in social work from Central Michigan University and a master鈥檚 in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University. She鈥檒l celebrate her third degree at 色花堂 Southern鈥檚 Commencement in Statesboro next week with her parents, sister, husband, and children.
