Our Mission & Approach

Texas A&M University has placed the value of the campus environment and student experience at its core.  DMS facilitates steady progress toward institutional plans through a holistic and intentional approach to transition and engagement practice that benefits the retention, persistence and graduation of students, student development, and contributions to practice.

DMS has a mission to provide multiple developmental experiences to cultivate transition through meaningful social engagement, foster a culture where students can thrive, and develop students’ capacities to work productively and collaboratively with others in preparation for an increasingly complex world.

Through its whole student approach to programming, DMS helps students adjust to the pace and expectations of college life, connect with peers and mentors, and access the resources that support their success. These efforts not only enhance retention and graduation but also foster leadership, communication, collaborative work, and problem-solving skills that align with Texas A&M’s undergraduate learning outcomes. By cultivating resilience and social wellbeing, building pathways to campus engagement, and preparing students for life after graduation, DMS contributed to the university’s culture of excellence while modeling the Texas A&M Core Values and departmental guiding tenets: Development of competencies. Meaningful connections. Success of students.