Sister Peg Albert, OP, PhD President

Students—and many of our graduates— often refer to Siena Heights University as their “home away from home.” And we try to be exactly that for them in so many ways.

But what about those students who arrive at Siena Heights on a one-way ticket? For them, Siena Heights is their home.

Are you surprised we have homeless students here at SHU? We do. It’s not something we advertise or want to promote, however, we certainly want to call attention to their situation. In fact, this issue of Reflections reveals the challenges of a few of our homeless students, from their day-to-day struggles to the long-term trials they often face. We not only nurture their physical, emotional and educational needs, but their spiritual as well.

And, just as important, we also want to highlight the sometimes-herculean efforts of our faculty, staff and administration to help these students succeed.

At Siena Heights, we take a proactive approach to homelessness on a variety of levels. We host an annual homeless conference each year that discusses these issues and helps connect community resources with these needy individuals. SHU faculty member Sister Pat Schnapp and Tom Puszczewicz of SHU Campus Ministry continue to head Siena’s participation in the Salvation Army’s Share the Warmth program that helps house and feed the homeless in Lenawee County.

Also, Beth McCullough, one of our outstanding graduates, is meeting the local homeless challenge head-on. Her work as the homeless liaison for Adrian Public Schools aids homeless high school students in achieving their college goals. You can read about her story in greater detail in this issue.

However, the work we do with our own homeless student population touches me on a very personal level. As a trained social worker, my heart is with these students, many of whom come to us with nowhere else to go. I tear up every time I think of these students. Every fiber of my being wants to reach out and embrace them, and tell them someone cares.

I firmly believe God brings these students to us. We are called to help in any way we can. Our uniquely Catholic and Dominican heritage demands it. Siena Heights represents a “birthplace” for them, a chance at a new life with new possibilities and opportunities. Some do not have the option of looking back; all that remains is what is ahead. I have learned a great deal from these students. They teach me what is really important in life, how much I take for granted and how much we need to be family to one another.

With the new McLaughlin University Center on the way in fall 2013 and other numerous improvements and additions to our campus facilities, we are mindful of making Siena Heights the best home we can for our students, especially those who are homeless. And the addition of new areas such as multicultural student services, restorative justice and mission effectiveness reinforces the already outstanding student support infrastructure already in place at Siena Heights.

Despite bringing overwhelming odds to Siena Heights, our homeless students are having remarkable success. They are not only graduating, they are excelling. Many have gone on to impact our world in surprising and wonderful ways. In fact, this May another group will leave their Siena Heights “birthplace” to find their new “home.”

To me, this is the ultimate evidence that Siena Heights University is indeed “Opportunity U.”

Sister Peg Albert, OP, PhD President