The Keele SSDS Values and Strategy document outlines the department's goals of being a sector-leading student services department focused on student wellbeing, success, growth and development. It describes their core values of integrity and respect, diversity and inclusion, innovation and curiosity, and professionalism and knowledge. The document also lists the department's key focus areas of supporting the student experience, systems and communications, operational effectiveness, engagement and success, and community and wellbeing.

1. Keele SSDS Values and Strategy
We aspire to be Sector-Leading Student Services Department, fostering an innovative and inclusive student-centred learning
community that is dedicated to students’ wellbeing, success, personal growth, and professional development.
INTEGRITY AND RESPECT:
We strive for transparent decision
making, commitment and honesty,
whilst fostering a culture of
understanding and acceptance through
civility, community and trust. We
understand the intrinsic value of
relationships. We develop strong,
trusting relationships with students,
colleagues, and others we encounter
through our work, leading to a caring
campus, a supportive environment,
and a welcoming community.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
We embrace individual differences and ensure
opportunities for all. We believe that
differences in people and diverse points-of-
view are valuable, and that a truly caring
community is one where each member feels
welcomed, engaged, and celebrated. We
embody this belief when we are inclusive of all
people, we recognise our similarities, and we
embrace our differences through mutual
respect. We seek to cultivate an environment
of awareness and understanding of diversity
and multicultural issues, through our services,
support and behaviours.
INNOVATION AND CURIOSITY:
We cultivate an innovative
environment that encourages
discourse and open inquiry.
Embracing opportunities to
pioneer, we seek out what is new
and what will positively impact
the lives of students at Keele.
We encourage one another to
take risks, asking questions of
ourselves, our students and our
colleagues whilst, all the time
seeking out opportunities to
deliver excellence in all we do.
PROFESSIONALISM AND KNOWLEDGE:
We commit to the continuous growth and learning
of individuals and the advancement of our
profession. We encourage professional
development and ethical behaviour of our staff and
we conduct our services and ourselves with the
highest integrity. We collaborate and consult with
one another in an effort to achieve excellence. We
are committed to treating one another with respect,
making ethical decisions, and holding each other
accountable. We encourage each other to develop
expertise in our practice, engaging in professional
development that is grounded in theory and
focused on application.
Supporting the Student Experience
• Transitions support
• Learning skills
• Internationalisation
• Employability
• Underrepresented Students
Systems & Communications
• Process review
• Enabling IT
• Student systems
• Digital Development
Operational Effectiveness
• User expectations & feedback
• External Profile
• Estates & environment
• Professional engagement
Engagement & Success
• Academic Interface
• Professional Services
collaboration
• Student Involvement
• Influence and representation
• Management and Leadership
Community & Wellbeing
• Residence Life
• Staff Engagement
• Health & Wellness
• Equality, diversity &
inclusion