Lip Sync Battles Are Extremely Important
You enter the auditorium, shaking, nervously looking at the bright stage set up for the next activity. You know what it is and you know it’ll take you far out of your comfort zone. You want to find a way out. That’s how a lot of people feel about the very last event of orientation […]
Putting “Open Doors, Open Hearts” to Work at Orientation
Walking into the next orientation was always a nerve-wracking experience. The orientation leaders’ heads were filled with questions such as “Which student is going to give me a hard time?” and “What happens if I can’t convince them to participate?” In OL training, we were prepared for these students. We were told what to say […]
Remember You Weren’t Always This Great
On my way to watch a softball game in Central Park, I rounded a corner, where I was greeted by a dad and his two teenage boys. Based on his equipment and form, it was clear the dad was a life-long runner. His boys…not so much. The mis-match in running experience reminded me of the […]
“We Care” – The Tell Me About Your Day Bracelets
At MIT, the community on campus has grieved four students lost to suicide in the past year. In the days after these tragedies, freshman Isabel “Izzy” Lloyd saw a rise in social media posts from her peers telling their networks that anyone can come talk to them if they feel depressed or need help. She […]
Community Building through Campus Traditions – A Student Leader Spotlight
We are always meeting student leaders who are going the extra mile to make others feel welcome and build community culture on their campuses. We realized that one great way to learn from each other is to spotlight different students who have made an impact on the lives of their fellow students. Meet Yolanda Cobblah, a student at […]
Tutus and Student Government – A Student Leader Spotlight
We are always meeting student leaders who are going the extra mile to make others feel welcome and build community culture on their campuses. We realized that one great way to learn from each other is to spotlight different students who have made an impact on the lives of their fellow students. Meet Amairani Ayala, a student at […]
Creating a Welcoming Culture – The Orientation Moment I Won’t Forget
Hey SK family! Sabina here, and today I am reminiscing on my Orientation at Fordham University. I was a big-eyed, unsure but excited freshman. Ready for my new adventure at my dream school, but aware of my inexperience, I remember walking into an alcohol ed session one evening of orientation. I entered the big room […]
Turning Energy into Action at New Student Orientation Programs
This past Thursday I was working with UMass – Boston on their newly formed Investiture for first year students. It’s a tradition they are hoping to continue on for many years to come. I’m a huge fan of their efforts since it’s a great way to set the tone for the year as well as […]
Hey Upperclassman! A Psychology Fact That Might Make You the Best Leader Ever
It has been found that feelings of power are indirectly related to empathy. In other words, if you feel like you have power over a situation, your brain is less likely to turn on its empathy capacities. You are less likely to relate to other people with power than when you are feeling powerless. (Full […]
Am I Hirable in #StudentAffairs?
The #SAchat conversation from yesterday was on credentials in Student Affairs. It was sparked, in part, by an initiative by ACPA to create a Student Affairs Credential Program. Within the first couple of questions it was clear that the relationships between credentials, competencies, qualifications, achievements, experiences, and degrees were confusing. Q1: How are we defining […]