they’re not just students, and it’s not just a job

THEY’RE NOT JUST STUDENTS,

AND IT’S NOT JUST A JOB

Strategies for Managing Change and Developing Leaders

Presented by Nikole WilliamsJune 2011

AGENDA

Organization Professional development Daily effective management with a

vision Challenges

WHO ARE WE?

Barnard CollegeLiberal arts, undergraduate, women’s college

affiliated with Columbia University in NYCNearly 2,400 students

Barnard College Information Technology (BCIT)

STUDENT COMPUTING SERVICES Staff

Services

Internet connectivity Malware removal

Google Apps Computer lab maintenance

OS installation and repair Technology workshops

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SENIOR ACES Responsibilities

Monthly meetingCo-facilitate interviews and evaluations Conduct training with Senior ACEs-in-Training Provide backup support

Specialized tasksSchedule ModeratorWebmasterWiki ModeratorLead TrainerEvents Coordinator

RECRUITMENT

Student submits an application online Interview and simulation Hired?

Meet with Senior ACEs and DirectorStudent Computing: has interpersonal and

technical skills to work independently

TRAINING & EVALUATIONS

How do you view your staff?What interests them?How can we help them improve?

Formal training twice a year Mid-semester evaluation and meeting

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

How do student employees get promoted?Management focus vs. technical focusGraduate Assistant & Student Computing

Coordinator

Career development events in technology

BENEFITS

Simulate real-world environmentPositive reinforcementWork well in teams and independently

Increases visibility of dept. and college Invest in them, and they will invest in

you Decision-making: the “Collective Best”

THE COLLECTIVE BEST Student staff->valuable insight as

individuals, students, and technicians

Incorporate their opinions into your decision-makingConverse and collaborate Be open and specific without crossing

boundariesAcknowledge each opinion & welcome

diversityMust still demonstrate decisiveness

DAILY EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT…

Balance technical and administrative dutiesHelps staff troubleshoot but shield them from

stressful situations Delegate effectively and allow independent work

Clearly set, convey, and reinforce protocols Teach during trainingEasy access to updates and reminders

afterwards

WITH A VISION Be open to learning while having a vision:

High-quality servicesTraining and evaluations

Professional development Academics + work experience

Welcoming environmentListen and care

QUESTIONS SO FAR?

HOW ARE WE DOING Mostly positive feedback Challenges

Missed shifts during midterms and finalsEvaluation of Graduate AssistantsProfessional Development of Student

Computing CoordinatorManaging Change

SCHEDULING How do ACEs schedule office hours?

1. Google Calendar; schedule 5-10 hours/week 2. Email schedule moderator possible work

hours3. Permanent schedule determined: 2

ACEs/shift4. Share schedule with Student Computing

calendar

Schedule moderator Drafts tentative scheduleEmail: missed shifts, policy and holiday

reminders

FAIRNESS & FLEXIBILITY Reinforce protocol

ACE requests coverage, optimally shift swap

72 hours or more in advanceNot penalizedNo response? Send a reminder

Notice in less than 72 hours

1st and 2nd time: Excused 3rd: Meeting, 4th: Penalties

GRADUATE ASSISTANTS Challenge: Hard to supervise because

they work nights and weekends

During my mid-semester check in with each ACE, will ask how its going during their night and weekend

STUDENT COMPUTING COORDINATOR

ChallengesPart-time: delegation, schedule Professional Development

SolutionsFlexibilityAssess how he/she can develop

professionally and supply projects

RECENT CHANGES INTECHNOLOGY & SERVICES

BCIT

RECENT CHANGES IN ORGANIZATION

LEADERSHIP IN STUDENT COMPUTING

2008: hired as Manager of Student ComputingWorked with and for predecessorFormer Graduate Assistant and ACE

Previous manager: well-liked and respected by ACEs

Graduating seniors interested in taking position

LEADING THROUGH CHANGE

4 concepts to help you navigate change

1. CHANGE CAN BE TRAUMATIC

Mixed Expectations & ReactionsFear and vulnerabilityHow do my peers feel?

Acknowledge the degree of change

2. TAKE YOUR TIME

Look at the big pictureDon’t take it personallyHave changes outside of your department

program also affected students?

Make changes that extinguish fires, but wait to make programmatic changes

3. ESTABLISH CONTINUITY AND CREDIBILITY

If you knew the staff memberCommunicate respect for their years of

serviceRecount positive experiences

If you served in a similar capacity Relate this situation to what other

experiencesPay attention to differences

4. OPEN AND COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATION

Communicate with staff to discover… Relationship that predecessor had with

staff What protocols need to be improved?

Daily Effective Management with a Vision

Particularly important during period of change

Be a Mentor

Questions?

THANK YOU!

Fill out an evaluation

http://www.resnetsymposium.org/rspm/evaluation