Students First

Students, we put you first!  As we work to launch new initiatives, we are taking a “Students First” approach—student ideas and insights are the core of Berea, must take priority, and will shape our brave future.  

What ideas do you have for Berea’s next chapter? What do you want Berea to focus on? What are your hopes, dreams, and imaginings for Berea? You provide the answers to these questions—and we’ll bring them to life! Please join a Student Vision team, connect at an in-person outreach event, submit the form below, or send an email to studentsfirst@berea.edu.

Our top Students First priority is student health, wellness, and essential needs. Berea is creating a community of care that provides holistic support for all aspects of the student experience.  For example, we have worked to: 

• Expand Counseling Services: new same-day appointments and new 24/7 Telehealth services
• Increase Health and Dental Care Access: expanded White House Clinic hours and free Dental Care clinic
• Improve Health Insurance Plan: increased areas of coverage and coverage amounts
• Address Food Access: new grab-and-go dining options and new kitchen supplies program
• Offer Free Essential Care Items: new pop-up Bear Essentials Free Store

Our student-created and student-led Student Vision teams provide the ideas that transform our campus!  Based on your ideas, we are creating new outdoor gathering spaces—and will continue to create more.  Look around campus, and you’ll see these student designed ideas:

• Hutchins Library Patio
• Hammock Stands (get hammocks at Hutchins’ Library of Things!)
• Bonfire Pit
• Solar Umbrella Charging Table

Educational opportunity is at the heart of our Great Commitments. We are proud to be the #1 college in the nation for College Access (New York Times) and the #1 college in the nation for graduating students with the least debt (US News & World Report). And, we want to make college even more affordable!  To that end, our initiatives include, for every student:

• Funded course fees
• Funded summer internship
• Free laptop
• “Berea Beyond” package that includes funding for interview clothes, graduate test prep, relocation costs, and more!

As we build our “One Blood, All Peoples” campus community together, let’s make sure we spread joy! Let’s provide new forms of connection and support! Let’s invent new opportunities to engage and interact! Some of the new ways we’ve connected to spread joy include:

• Sunday Suppers
• Ice Cream Socials
• Community Ceremonies
• Student Club Connections

Submit via form below or via email at studentsfirst@berea.edu.