Student Services

The oversight of the residence life program, extracurricular activities, and various student services is coordinated by the Academic and Campus Life Division. The Dean of Students, whose office is located on the upper level of Roj Student Center, and staff members are readily available to talk with individual students and groups; the goal of the Academic and Campus Life staff is to help students make the best use of the College’s and students’ own resources and opportunities.

A student’s residential experience is often an important facet of attending college, and the residence hall is far more than a place to sleep. Learning to live in close proximity with others, making new friendships, and becoming aware of the rights and responsibilities of all concerned are important aspects of a college education.

The College offers a variety of living arrangements. First-year students live on campus in traditional residence hall buildings; students who committed to McDaniel through early decision, or those that have accepted to the Lumen Scholars Program, may request to live in Daniel McLea Hall. For upperclass students, there are three traditional residence halls comprised mainly of double rooms and some singles and triples. These are Albert Norman Ward Hall, Blanche Ward Hall, and McDaniel Hall. Daniel MacLea Hall is designed for suite-style living. Students may apply to live in substance-free areas or affinity housing. Other areas are reserved for members of a particular fraternity or sorority to live together as a group. Students are required to live on campus for their first three years unless they are 25 or older, married, or commuting from the home of their parent/guardian within 30 miles. Upperclass students may live in North Village and Garden Apartments shared by four, five, or six students and equipped with its own kitchen, or in College-owned houses that border the campus. Students have access to a microwave/fridge/freezer in their room (or a full kitchen depending on the location), ethernet and wireless internet access, a Comcast Xfinity streaming account, and laundry facilities. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in College residences. Information about campus housing can be found at https://www.mcdaniel.edu/student-life/housing. Deposited and current students can also access resources online at https://mcdaniel.erezlife.com.

The Residence Life program is directed by five professional staff members and 33 Resident Assistants (RAs). RAs are qualified and trained undergraduates whose job is to live with students and be available to oversee the quality of life in their areas. Resident Assistants are responsible for advising individuals, assisting in health or safety emergencies, communicating campus policies to students, referring students to appropriate campus resources and reporting student concerns to administrative staff.

The Residence Life staff, along with the entire faculty and staff, assist in facilitating an environment of challenge and support. Students will be challenged by out-of-the-classroom experiences as well as academic experiences.

Residential students complete a online housing application that includes questions about study habits, room cleanliness, and other considerations available to new students prior to arrival on campus. The Residence Life staff uses the information in matching potentially compatible persons as roommates. Students may room with friends of their own choosing, but only mutual roommate requests will be honored.

While about 80 percent of the undergraduate students live in the residence halls, commuting students are a welcome and active part of the student body. The College urges all commuting students to visit the Office of Student Engagement to learn about events, organizations, and ask questions about commuter services.

McDaniel Local (June and July) and New Student Orientation (August), are a part of the First-Year Experience (FYE). These programs are designed to help first-year and transfer students begin their social and academic journeys with confidence. 

During McDaniel Local and Orientation, students will:

• Connect with peer mentors who offer academic, personal, and social support,
• Meet with a Student Success Coach and/or advisor to create a personalized class schedule,
• Discover campus resources and essential offices,
• Join in teambuilding events and activities to experience the energy of campus culture,
• Network and build relationships with peers, and
• Engage with the surrounding Westminster community.

McDaniel’s First-Year Experience aims to build a strong foundational base for new students and support their development into a lifelong path of learning and success at McDaniel and beyond. If you have questions, contact Lisa Lebo, Aassociate Director of First-Year Experience and Transition Programs.

All residential students other than those living in North Village, the Garden Apartments (with a kitchen), and College owned houses are required to subscribe to a meal plan in Englar Dining Hall. Meals are served seven days a week and include continental breakfasts for students who prefer to eat later than the scheduled breakfast hour. Dining services are managed by AVI Fresh, and menus include many alternate selections for the diet conscious. Commuting students are encouraged to purchase partial meal plans, and parents and visitors are welcome to purchase individual meals.

The Hilltop Pub is on the middle level of Roj Student Center. The Hoover Library features Caseys’ Corner, a Starbucks coffee shop located in the entrance lobby of the building. All current hours of operation are available here.

The Wellness Center is the integrated office of Counseling and Student Health, providing mental health counseling, nursing care, and wellness education and promotion. The multidisciplinary staff empowers students to make informed choices regarding their overall health and well-being so that they can thrive on the Hill and beyond.

The Wellness Center is located on the second floor of Winslow Hall. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Wellness Center is open during the fall and spring semesters. Services are not provided to students on the weekend, over the summer months, or during semester breaks.

Students can make appointments for Health Services and Counseling by calling 410-857-2243, visiting the Wellness Center in person, or using the scheduling link on the Wellness Center page of the MyMcDaniel Portal. Walk-ins are also available when needs are more urgent.

Counseling Services

The Counseling Services team consists of licensed clinical social workers, professional counselors, and graduate student interns (under supervision of a licensed staff member) who join with students in a collaborative process of positive change. Our primary goal is to assist students in addressing challenges and acquiring the self-awareness, information, skills, and resources necessary to succeed in the college environment and pursue productive, meaningful lives.

Common concerns addressed in confidential counseling services include stress and anxiety, depression, adjustment and transition, identity development, relationship challenges, grief, anger, unhealthy eating, and substance use.

Counseling Services offer a variety of short-term services for students including assessments, individual counseling, urgent walk-in sessions and crisis intervention, group counseling, wellness workshops, consultation, and referrals to off-campus providers and specialists. 

In an effort to more fully support the mental health needs of our students, the Wellness Center offers the Wellness Extended Support Program (WESP) which provides long-term individual therapy and clinical case management right here on campus. This program is for students who need ongoing mental health support beyond the short-term and crisis intervention services available to all students. The Wellness Extended Support Program is a fee-based program.

Immediate consultation and intervention for students experiencing a mental health crisis is always available:

• Weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.: Call Counseling Services (410-857-2243) or visit the Wellness Center in Winslow Hall, 2nd floor.
• Weekdays during lunch hour (12-1), after 4:30 p.m. or weekends: Call the Department of Campus Safety (410-857-2202) or visit them at 152 Pennsylvania Ave. Individuals within the Department of Safety can respond to the emergency and contact the counselor on-call.

Student Health Services

Health Services provides a primary focus of prevention and education, however when health concerns arise, students receive confidential and compassionate nursing care by the College Health Nurse under the supervision of the Medical Director. When students require a higher level of care, the Nurse will assist the student with community resources and follow up as needed.

To best serve our students, McDaniel has a partnership with LifeBridge Health. Two Primary Care locations close to campus offer priority appointments to students and accept most health insurances.

Our Partnership with LifeBridge Health
When a student has a condition that requires medical care, LifeBridge Health has 2 primary care offices dedicated to offering students priority scheduling for sick visits. Students would need to call the office, identify as a McDaniel Student, and schedule their appointment. Should transportation be a barrier, students can utilize the Campus Shuttle (Monday-Saturday, 11am-5pm) for a ride to and from the appointment. We are very grateful for our partnership with LifeBridge and ask that any student who makes an appointment but cannot attend, please call to cancel.

Carroll Health Group Primary Care Locations:

All full-time undergraduate students must complete a Pre-Entrance Student Health Form, including an official record of required immunizations. The College also requires all students to have health insurance. If a student does not have health insurance, or if a family health insurance plan does not provide adequate coverage, the College offers a comprehensive health insurance plan. International students must purchase the College’s Student Health Insurance Plan.

The mission of the Office of Student Belonging (OSB) is to foster an inclusive and supportive campus environment where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive. OSB creates spaces, offers programs, and provides both academic and non-academic guidance to promote student belonging. We support and collaborate with student organizations that serve our diverse populations, while also developing initiatives that advance inclusivity, cultural awareness, and mutual understanding. OSB serves as a vital resource for cultivating a stronger sense of belonging for every student of our community. 

Some programs include:

• Bias-Related Reporting
• Cultural Presentation Series
• Global Bridge
• Student Support and Diversity Resources
• The Edge Experience Program

For more information of our services drop by our office located in the lower level of the Roj Student Center, visit our website, email us at odei@mcdaniel.edu, or give us a call 410-857-2459.

CEO Mission Statement:
The Center for Experience and Opportunity changes lives through the McDaniel Commitment, engaging students in endeavors to ready them for personal, academic, and professional success.

CEO Vision Statement:
The Center for Experience and Opportunity will be innovative in fostering engagements and networks that holistically shape students’ personal, academic, and professional lives.

The CEO assists with:

• Career development (including resume/cover letter development, searching for internship and employment opportunities, networking with employers and alumnae, and making career-based decisions)
• Education abroad
• Competitive scholarships and fellowships
• Community engagement (including getting involved with volunteer and service-learning opportunities)
• Graduate school plans

For more information on services, visit the CEO website. Learn how to set up an appointment by visiting the middle level of the Roj Student Center, emailing ceo@mcdaniel.edu, or calling 410-871-3305.

The Office of International & Off-Campus Programs in the Center for Experience and Opportunity (CEO) is the main campus resource for students interested in education abroad. This includes off-campus and overseas experiential learning (study abroad, internships, volunteer, and service learning). The office assists students at every stage of the education abroad and application process and also works with faculty and staff leading short-term study programs abroad. For information and a complete list of education abroad programs affiliated with the College, visit the Study Abroad website at global.mcdaniel.edu.

McDaniel College has a long tradition of welcoming students from around the world into our academic community. The Office of International & Off-Campus Programs and a team of International Peer Mentors provide orientation programs for new international students upon arrival to campus, as well as cultural and academic support throughout the year. The Office of International & Off-Campus Programs is also home to the undergraduate Designated School Official (DSO) assisting with matters related to maintaining accurate and up to date immigration status. This can include, but is not limited to, understanding regulations regarding employment in the U.S., acquiring social security cards, and travel to other countries. 

The College maintains services for the students’ and faculty’s convenience in Roj Student Center. An Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) provides access to accounts with Truist Bank or other banks in the MOST system. The College Store sells textbooks and other books, general college supplies, imprinted sports clothing, health aids, gifts, and many other items. The Post Office has individual mailboxes that students can sign up for to use each year, offers stamps for purchase, and mails and receives packages. Amazon lockers are also provided. 

At McDaniel College, the Student Accessibility and Support Services Office (SASS) provides students with documented disabilities the appropriate accommodations.

SASS is the designated office to obtain and file disability-related documents, certify eligibility for services, determine reasonable accommodations, and develop plans for the provision of such accommodations. Additional information about accessing SASS services is available HERE.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and ADAAA (2008) prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

The College Chaplain serves the entire McDaniel College community, offering inclusive care and presence to individuals of all religious, ethical, and non-faith traditions, and to all who seek purpose, connection, and deeper meaning in life. The chaplain provides relational and spiritual care that nurtures personal reflection, growth, and inspiration. Rooted in McDaniel’s commitment to a transformative liberal arts education and a diverse student-centered community of belonging, the chaplain contributes to the College’s vision of fostering an inclusive and compassionate environment. 

The College Chaplain provides a range of services to support the spiritual, emotional, and personal well-being of the McDaniel community. Services include: 

• One-on-One Spiritual Support 
  Confidential conversations for students navigating personal challenges, life transitions, grief, or big questions about purpose, identity, and faith. 

• Crisis and Grief Support 
  Compassionate care during times of crisis, loss, or trauma, whether related to death, illness, or emotional distress. 

• Interfaith and Multifaith Engagement 
  Support for students of all religious and non-religious backgrounds, and opportunities to explore diverse faith traditions through programs, conversations, and celebrations. 

• Worship and Reflection Opportunities 
  Seasonal services, prayer gatherings, and times for quiet reflection open to all, regardless of religious background. 

• Meaning-Making and Vocational Exploration 
  Guidance in exploring purpose, calling, and values in both academic and personal life. 

• Community-Building and Dialogue 
  Facilitation of courageous and inclusive conversations about belief, identity, justice, and belonging across differences. 

• Spiritual Life Student Leadership 
  Support for student-led spiritual life groups, leadership development, and initiatives related to justice, service, and faith expression. 

• Campus Rituals and Ceremonies 
  Leading and participating in campus traditions, vigils, memorials, and moments of collective reflection. 

• Referrals and Collaboration 
  Connecting students with additional campus resources and collaborating with faculty, staff, and student life offices for holistic student care. 

 The chaplain is available for spiritual and moral support. Email Dr. Smith at rmsmith@mcdaniel.edu or call 410-386-4644 to set up an appointment.