Ten Strategies For Establishing Credibility as an Activities Professional
About five years ago I attended a professional development in-service where we talked about credibility in Student Activities. I found the information shared so valuable and have relied on it many times as I continue to build a quality student development program that oozes integrity and reliability. These 10 tips below were developed by Dr. Pattie Fine, retired Dean of Student Development, Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL. While one of the strategies below refers to community colleges, I believe higher education is an interchangeable term. Read them over and post your thoughts or add to the list.
- Understand the perceived value of your department to the institution.
Take a look at the history of the department within the institution – funding patterns, placement on the organization chart, involvement of the director and the student leaders on campus-wide committees, and past programs produced. Look for clues that reveal the value the institution gives to extra or co-curricular programs. Understanding the value will help you plan to improve your credibility.
- Make your true value known to faculty and administration.
Once you have an understanding of your place in the pecking order of institutional value, start your own public relations campaign to strengthen the image.
- Establish your work as an integral part of the learning environment.
Always remind folks that student activities are about learning! Too many of our colleagues see the social side and forget there is a learning component to EVERYTHING in student activities. This is a challenge of the directorship! Teaching and learning is the college’s business – take your place in helping the business advance itself.
- Know your own personal boundaries.
If you’re not confident and convincing about the role you can play in the institution, then no one else will be. Learn the community college system, its governance, funding formula, enrollment challenges, campus climate issues, etc. Find out where student activities can make a difference in what’s important to the system and plan accordingly!
- Support teaching and learning.
Find ways to complement the curriculum. When you demonstrate your interest in doing so, you gain faculty partners that become valuable ambassadors for student activities.
- Become a utility player.
Volunteer or ask to be apart of something on campus where no one would think you belong. Expand your scope and the networking possibilities are endless.
- Advocate for students.
Use what you hear, observe and learn from your student leaders to help improve campus life. Directors are invaluable sources of student opinion. Conduct forums and ask opinions if you’re not sure what they are. Use the information you receive to actively improve campus life. Your concern will be recognized by upper administration.
- Understand how you will be evaluated.
Know how your campus evaluates department effectiveness. Be prepared to fully participate in strategic planning and outcome assessments. If there are no expectations for student activities, then create your own: evaluate and share the results!
- Ask for feedback.
At least once a year, ask the college community (faculty, students and staff) how you’re doing. Be prepared for the responses and use them to improve. Not all department heads are brave enough to ask folks how they’re doing. Your willingness to do so demonstrates courage and desire to improve.
- Remind your colleagues of your obligation to students.
Help those in the college understand your role as gatekeeper of student fees.
I especially like 3 and 5. It's the whole "Learning Reconsidered" jazz.
Posted by: Kevin Prentiss | June 28, 2007 at 08:03 PM