What is Student Services? Meet Tara Bourlotos

Some people wouldn’t necessarily equate Student Services with “problem solving,” but they aren’t Tara Bourlotos, Director of Student Services at RSI. In addition to being the department that works with students to ensure they complete their programs and graduate, Student Services helps with connecting students to needed resources like transportation and to inform students about any program or process changes.

There are many duties Student Services perform. They provide information regarding resources like housing and transportation, process leave of absences if they need them, transcript requests, and education verifications to name a few. Graduates can contact Student Services if they would like a refresher course. Basically, Student Services encompasses a lot.

Unfortunately, not everyone reaches out to Student Services when they need help, Tara says. “Our students are proud and they do not want to ask for help, nor do they want to let anyone know that they are in need of help.” Sometimes, students don’t even know about all the services her department provides. One service is that there is an available food pantry to students and their families who are struggling financially and need something to eat. The food pantry is located in Tara’s office.

Taras’ job is a rewarding one. Although she has only been Director of Student Services for five months, she was the Registrar before that, so she’s had a lot of contact with students. “The best part about working in Student Services is that when you see students graduate, you know that you helped them change their lives and complete the program that they started.” She enjoys getting calls and emails from graduates who let her know how they are doing and how thankful they are to Student Services for encouraging them to not quit and pursue their dreams.

Student Services is as it sounds, services for students, and there are more services they provide at RSI that people would think possible. Just ask Tara.

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