Otis College Students are Supported by a Wraparound Network of Care
Part one in a series highlighting ways the Otis community proactively positions students for success.
Choosing a college involves more than looking at its academic programs; it's also about available resources. At Otis College, students are supported through a comprehensive, campus-wide network of services and people dedicated to their academic success, personal growth, health, and overall well-being. Otis creates a space where students are encouraged to become who they are meant to be, with resources to support them from their first day on campus through graduation and beyond.
The following highlights a few of the resources and dedicated staff members who support student success at every step of their journey.
A Caring Campus Culture
The Office of Student Affairs plays a central role in Otis’s integrated approach to care. Through co-curricular learning, leadership opportunities, and direct student support, the Student Affairs team helps students navigate their transition to college life within a dynamic campus environment.
Supporting students all year long means seeing them as whole students, and developing a culture of care, creativity, and connection. We believe students thrive when they are supported holistically, challenged thoughtfully, and deeply connected to a community that sees and celebrates their potential.”
—Nicholas E. Vela-Negrete, Vice President, Student Affairs
Students are encouraged to get involved in campus life. This may include attending student-run events, participating in a leadership development program, or joining the Campus Activities Board.
The Student Health and Wellness Center (SHWC) provides medical and counseling services, along with programs that support healthy living. “Students are coming to Otis to get an education first and foremost, and our job is to ensure that they’re the healthiest that they can be to get that education,” says Dr. Julie Spencer, director of SHWC. These services are designed to assist students in maintaining balance while meeting the demands of a rigorous art and design education.
Whether students are navigating illness, stress, or preventive health needs, we’re here to keep students healthy, supported, and able to focus on their academic and personal success.”
—Dr. Julie Spencer, M.D., M.P.H.
In 2025, the SHWC was renovated to combine its first-floor location in Ahmanson Hall with a new counseling and mental health center. All currently enrolled Otis students have access to the SHWC.
Preparing Students for Creative Careers
Preparing students for life beyond the classroom is another core component of the College’s wraparound support model. Otis Career Services works to educate and empower artists and designers through career counseling, internship and job search assistance, and professional development resources, beginning early in a student’s academic journey.
Artists and designers have the ability to influence culture, and my goal is to support students in developing that potential in a way that leads to a sustainable, fulfilling career.”
—Valerie Diaz, Assistant Director, Career Education
Career Services organizes an annual Internship and Recruitment Day, during which employers have the opportunity to meet, interview, and review portfolios of Otis students. In the lead-up to this event, counselors offer workshops in resume and portfolio development, as well as advising on interviewing skills to help students put their best foot forward.
A Stable Home Away from Home
Residence Life and Housing reinforces Otis College’s commitment to community by providing a safe living and learning environment that supports belonging, growth, and personal responsibility, all supported by professional staff and trained student leaders.
Our work centers on creating an environment where students feel supported as they navigate both the challenges and joys of college life, and develop the confidence, resilience, and community they need to thrive as artists and designers.”
—Melinda Ambani, Director of Residence Life and Housing
The Residence Hall offers free laundry facilities on every floor, as well as comfortable lounges for socializing and studying, a kitchen, studio space, and wireless internet. Residence Life helps students living on- and off-campus acclimate to life away from home, and organizes community events like movie nights and crafting mixers.
Together, these services (and the dedicated staff who support them) reflect Otis College’s belief that student success is bolstered by the care of an engaged campus community. For families and prospective students, Otis offers a dynamic art and design education supported by the foundation of a comprehensive, integrated support system designed to help students thrive.
In the next story in this series, we’ll showcase the Student Learning Center, library and counseling services, as well as the College’s convenient campus dining options.
More information about student life at Otis College.
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