Meet & Greet: Jacob Dunwiddie

Jacob Dunwiddie is the Senior Director of Student Success in the Center for Student Success, located in Stevenson Hall. He also chairs Oberlin’s LEAD program: Learning Enhancement Across the Disciplines, through which students build vital academic and life skills to support their long-term success. We caught up with Jacob to learn more about his work.

Please describe your primary responsibilities or what a typical day might look like.

I coach all Obies to help them reach their full potential! That looks like serving as chair for LEAD, meeting one on one with students for success coaching, and supporting events and services targeted toward sophomore students. In a typical day, I meet with students and colleagues across campus, teach LEAD classes, and collaborate with others to find ways to best support all students during their time at Oberlin and beyond.

What's something people might be surprised to learn about your work or your office?

I think people would be surprised to learn that we have full-time CSS staff dedicated to working one on one with students to offer personalized success coaching—similar to life coaching but with a special focus on the college experience. Our team and I are constantly thinking about how we can improve our coaching, increase access to coaching or our materials, and encourage students to use success coaching throughout their time at Oberlin.

If your office had a theme song, what would it be?

“Happy” by Pharrell Williams

What makes Oberlin special to you?

The students, full stop. I am constantly impressed by every interaction I have with an Oberlin student because of their deep level of care and engagement toward their education, their community, and the world.

What's your favorite Oberlin space and why?

Peters Hall is my favorite building overall, but there’s a particular classroom on the second floor—right where the spire begins and rises open all the way to the top—that stands out to me. It was the first classroom I taught in at Oberlin, and to this day, I still hope my courses are assigned to that room.

What's something you've learned that you wish all students could know?

Faculty and staff are here to support you. I often hear students say they’re navigating challenges on their own, without realizing how much help is available to them. Please know that we are here for you. If you’re trying to figure something out and aren’t sure where to start, ask for help. Stop by CSS—even if we don’t have the exact answer, we’ll connect you with the right person and help you understand what to expect in the next steps or meetings.

What do you enjoy doing away from work?

I love trying new hobbies. Right now, I enjoy gardening, baking sourdough, and crocheting. Most of my job is meeting with people—either students or campus members—which I love, so I try more physical or tactile experiences outside of work to create some balance in my day.

Please share a fun fact about you!

During elementary, middle, and high school, I was an avid choir student who appeared in frequent show choirs, chambers, and musical theater performances!