creating space for meaningful conversations: the intersection of academic advising and...

Creating Space for Meaningful Conversations: The Intersection of

Academic Advising and Person-centered Counseling

Lisa Hardej, M.A.Brandeis University

2014 NACADA Region 1

Creating connections with students is part of “good advising”

Student-centered advising

“…focused on coaching the student toward the development of attitudes, skills, and behaviors as a learner, decision maker, and community participant…” (Melander, 2002)

©gw225 via flickr

Students who make a connection with a

faculty or staff member are more

likely to stay at the institution.

(Light, 2004)

©LinderRox via flickr

We agree it’s good to do. So, how do we do it?

©Dr. Pattnaik via flickr

Photo of office

Photo for energetic space

©Andrew Stuart via flickr

Photo of office

*Think of an object/phrase/image in your office that a student has commented on.*What kind of conversation rolled out from their comment?*What did that object/phrase/image say about you?

Photo of office



Advisor: Hi Sam, it’s nice to see you. What can I help with today?

Advisor: Hi Sam, it’s nice to see you. What can I help with today?Sam: Hi! Well, I was wondering when the deadline to drop is?

Advisor: Hi Sam, it’s nice to see you. What can I help with today?Sam: Hi! Well, I was wondering when the deadline to drop is?Advisor: It’s March 31st, so you’re still within that window.

Advisor: Hi Sam, it’s nice to see you. What can I help with today?Sam: Hi! Well, I was wondering when the deadline to drop is?Advisor: It’s March 31st, so you’re still within that window.Sam: Great. I’m not sure yet, but I’ll definitely decide after the midterm. I’m okay on credits if I drop, though?

Advisor: Hi Sam, it’s nice to see you. What can I help with today?Sam: Hi! Well, I was wondering when the deadline to drop is?Advisor: It’s March 31st, so you’re still within that window.Sam: Great. I’m not sure yet, but I’ll definitely decide after the midterm. I’m okay on credits if I drop, though?Advisor: Let’s see…yeah, you’ll be okay. You have some AP credits coming in, right?

Advisor: Hi Sam, it’s nice to see you. What can I help with today?Sam: Hi! Well, I was wondering when the deadline to drop is?Advisor: It’s March 31st, so you’re still within that window.Sam: Great. I’m not sure yet, but I’ll definitely decide after the midterm. I’m okay on credits if I drop, though?Advisor: Let’s see…yeah, you’ll be okay. You have some AP credits coming in, right?Sam: Yeah, I do. Okay, great. This has been helpful, thanks!

“IN MY EARLY PROFESSIONAL YEARS I WAS ASKING THE QUESTION: HOW CAN I TREAT, OR CURE, OR CHANGE THIS PERSON? NOW I WOULD PHRASE THE QUESTION IN THIS WAY: HOW CAN I PROVIDE A RELATIONSHIP WHICH THIS PERSON MAY USE FOR HIS OWN PERSONAL GROWTH?”

CARL ROGERS(from On Becoming a Person, 1961)

©eded via flickr

Core Conditions

Congruence

Unconditional Positive Regard

Empathy

©BlueForest via flickr

©Curt Given via Google©Curt Given via Google

Congruence

©cam17 via flickr

Unconditional positive regard

24

Empathy©roseyahdlow via flickr

25©soft_star via flickr

What was your most meaningful student conversation?


Sam: Hi! Well, I was wondering when the deadline to drop is?



Advisor: The deadline is coming up on March 31st…could you tell me about the class you’re considering dropping?




Sam: Yeah…I’m not doing so well in Calculus right now.





Advisor: (nodding) ok, what have you found to be some of the challenges for you?






Sam: Well I just really bombed the first exam and I’m really stressed about it.







Advisor: Well sure, that can be super stressful. How have your other classes been going?








Sam: Alright, I guess…









*silence*









*silence*

Sam: Actually, not so great. I’ve just got a lot going on right now…









*silence*


*silence*









*silence*


*silence*

Advisor: Sam, do you feel comfortable sharing a little more about that?









*silence*


*silence*


Sam: I just…I’m not sure who to talk to about it…









*silence*


*silence*



Advisor: I’m happy to listen if you want to share with me.









*silence*


*silence*



Advisor: I’m happy to listen if you want to share with me.

Sam: Well…my mom just found out that she’s pretty sick and I’ve been going home to be with her a lot lately. So I guess that’s part of why my classes are so bad…

References

Aslam, M. (2013, March). “I love what you’ve done with the space”: The physical space of academic advising. Academic Advising Today, 36(1). Retrieved from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/%E2%80%9CI-Love-What-You%E2%80%99ve-Done-With-the-Space%E2%80%9D-The-Physical-Space-of-Academic-Advising.aspx.

Clarkson, S.M. (2007). The Role of Silence in Academic Advising. Retrieved from http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/View-Articles/The-Role-of-Silence-in-Academic-Advising.aspx.

Corey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. California: Thomson Brooks/Cole.

Cuseo, J. and Farnum, T. (2011) Seven Myths About Student Retention. Retrieved from http://regional.iu.edu/docs/Seven-myths.pdf.

Eckerty, J. (2011). 'Approachable” “Intimidating” “Unprofessional” “Credible':What do our offices say about us? Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-Articles/Office-Design-Research-Study.aspx.

Gordon, V.N., Habley, W.R., Grites, T.J., and Associates. (2008). Academic Advising: A comprehensive handbook. California: Jossey-Bass.

Light, R.J. (2001). Making the most of college: Students speak their minds. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press

McLeod, S. A. (2008). Person Centered Therapy. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/client-centred-therapy.html.

Melander, E.R. (2002). The Meaning of “Student-Centered” Advising: Challenges to the Advising Learning Community. Retrieved from http://dus.psu.edu/mentor/old/articles/021127em.htm.

Ritvo, E. (2012, May). The Therapist’s Office. The Beauty Prescription. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-beauty-prescription/201205/the-therapists-office.

creating space for meaningful conversations: the intersection of academic advising and...

Education

im okay

photo of office photo

ap credits

energetic space andrew

good advising

meaningful student

studentcentered advising

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