Maximizing the Graduate Experience

Portia Anderson Kristi Preston Tara Schoenherr

Portia AndersonTwitter Handle: Too cool for twitter.Undergrad: Dominican University Fast Facts:• Passionate about Advising & Restorative Justice• Recent recipient of the NASPA “Rising Star” Award• Once led 100+ NACURH Student Leaders in a dance off to “The Wobble”

Tara SchoenherrTwitter Handle: @TBombinUndergraduate Institution: University of Northern ColoradoFast Facts:• Passionate about working with student leaders &women in higher education.• Tina Fey is her life coach, dressed as Grumpy Cat for Halloween• Last student in 1st grade class to master the art of tying her own shoes

Kristi PrestonTwitter Handle: @PrestonK1821Undergraduate Institution: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Fast Facts:• Passionate about conduct & supervision• Supervises and collaborates with campus partners for 10 separate Living Learning

Communities• Knows more about the TV Show “Friends” than Jennifer Anniston and Courtney Cox

combined.

Our Graduate Assistantships: Assistant Residential Education CoordinatorsOur Academic Program: Education Leadership & Policy- Student Affairs Emphasis

A Quick (and Very Scientific) Survey

Graduate Assistants and Graduate Supervisors should strive for an

attitude of investment.

If growth is your goal feedback is critical.

Do not underestimate the power of an intentional advocate.

Think critically about building a network beyond who is convenient

or obvious.

Grads and supervisors need to communicate honestly about goals, desired level of support along the way, and how much help is

needed/appropriate .

(Probably a little bit too

much support).

Managing time is less important than managing energy.

Take almost every opportunity to diversify, learn a new skill, or try something new.

9 Focus Areas for Experience

Advising & Mentoring gather with your student staff 1:1 to learn more about

their goals assist juniors/seniors on your staff with their graduate

school and/or job search process Critique resumes and professional materials for students Write letters of recommendation

Advise student groups on and off campus Advise at or attend a student conference Engage (beyond scope of job responsibilities) with

students that participate in hall councils, RHA, NRHH etc.

Campus Collaboration Reach out to another campus entity to plan a program

or event in your area Take the time to get to know campus partners, but don’t

waste their time Join a campus wide committee or work group Communicate with an Learning Community

partner about a seemingly minor success of the area and/or their specific student leader

Physically go to a campus partner’s office or area.

Crisis Response & Duty• assist with training for professional staff especially in your second year of

grad school on topics around crisis response/duty• create behind closed doors scenarios for pro staff serving on duty rotation

• offer assistance to colleagues when larger duty situations occur or they receive multiple calls

• serve on emergency response committees within your department and watch webinars on topics around emergency response and situations

• spearhead a campaign to get students in the residence halls to sign up for campus alert

• observe full time professionals to learn about the process/ gain experience with medical transports

• attend trainings or exercises hosted by campus police or other emergency response agencies

Professionalism & Networking seek out campus resources and trainings. practice “dressing for the job you want” engage in professional conferences and organizations

Present at a professional conference Utilize a professional organization to join a committee or work

group that includes professionals from various organizations request to co-chair a committee or work group

alongside a full time professional utilize technology to network beyond the physical

boundaries of your institution

Engagement With Academic Program• find an opportunity to assist with graduate interviews for

your program's assistantship placement, etc.• participate on committees/ graduate association• connect with other grads in your program and try to mentor

new grads• present the work you are doing your courses at conferences

and/or work on publishing your work in journals• assist with recruiting prospective students to your

program • engage with the faculty and find a mentor especially to help

you prepare for conferences• plan a program based in a student development theory you

are learning in the classroom

Supervision attend Human Resource trainings on campus solicit feedback from your student leaders regularly and in a

variety of manners beyond just formal and required evaluations

ask supervisees about their hopes and dreams and guide them towards positive experiences

practice delivering an unpopular decision or change to a group you supervise and facilitate a team conversation around that topic

keep your office door open intentionally coach a supervisee until they demonstrate

improvement in an area where they are struggling be honest with supervisees – constructive feedback is

important and being able to give it is a skill

Social Justice and Inclusion• attend professional development seminars on diversity and

social justice both at your institution or outside opportunities• serve as a staff partner for alternative break trips• collaborate with partners on campus that work with social

justice/ diversity to educate students on programs and services offered

• add a component to both professional and student staff agendas such as staff development to consistently have dialogue on various social justice and diversity topics

• attend or assist with programming put on outside your department by cultural or social justice focused groups on campus

• volunteer with an advocacy group within the surrounding community

Judicial Affairs and Student Conduct Be intentional in taking on difficult and diverse conduct cases Utilize higher education news sources to learn about unique

or challenging student conduct situations on other campuses- consider how you would respond

Ask to shadow other professionals on your campus in hearings or other judicial meetings

Practice using conduct as an opportunity to make connections with students.

Consider internships or job shadowing with the Dean of Students or equivalent office on your campus.

Review conduct materials in your organization (sanction matrix, standard communications ect) and set up a meeting with a senior hearing officer to offer feedback and ask questions

Finding Voice

challenge yourself to speak up and advocate when you disagree with a specific decision or policy

ask for help at point you are afraid or uncomfortable doing so

practice saying “no” in a difficult situation voice your opinion at a time you feel like the needs of

students are not being best represented solicit feedback after participating in a difficult

conversation or meeting Was I professional? Did I make my point clear?

Step 1: Make A Plan

Step 2: Compare Notes

• Share 2-3 items from your plan that you are particularly excited about

• What are areas you are struggling to find experience in?

Step 3: Plan into Action

Go Forth & Change Lives!

THANK YOU AND REMEMBER…

You may only be a housing graduate assistant once

But if you are intentional about seeking opportunities and building experience…

ONCE IS ENOUGH!