Brett Bruner Director of Persistence & Retention Fort Hays State University (KS) Randy Flowers Assistant Director of Student Life/Area Coordinator Baker University (KS) ADVISING & SUPPORTING THE INTROVERTED ORIENTATION LEADER

 Learning Outcomes  I Prefer…  The Basics of Extroversion & Introversion  Applying the Basics to Life as a Student Leader  Taking the Basics to Orientation, Transition, & Retention  Practical Applications for Advising & Supporting Introverted Orientation Student Staff  Practical Applications to Teams  Sharing of Ideas  Closing/Q&A OVERVIEW OF SESSION

After attending this session, participants will:  Differentiate the characteristics & behaviors of extroverted & introverted personalities  Identify the benefits of an introverted student leader to a team setting  Describe key strategies in advising & supporting an introverted orientation, transition, & retention student leader LEARNING OUTCOMES

Brett Bruner  Director of Persistence & Retention – Fort Hays State University (KS)  Previous: Director of Student Life – Baker University (KS) WHO WE ARE Randy Flowers  Assistant Director of Student Life/Area Coordinator – Baker University (KS)  Previous: Graduate Assistant for Student Activities – Baker University (KS)

I PREFER…

WINTER OR SUMMER?

TOTS OR FRIES?

AMERICAN IDOL OR THE VOICE?

SAN FRANCISCO 49’ERS OR BALTIMORE RAVENS?

READING THE BOOK OR WATCHING THE MOVIE?

TALKING OR LISTENING?

SPENDING TIME ALONE OR BEING IN A LARGE SOCIAL GROUP?

 What’s an Extrovert?  What’s an Introvert? THE BASICS OF INTROVERSION & EXTROVERSION

 Extroverts  Energized by people, places & things  Influence through engagement  Quick to disclose information  Open verbal communicators  Introverts  Often keep their best to themselves  Takes time, trust & special circumstances to open up  Desires reflective, contemplative time alone  More than just shyness THE BASICS OF INTROVERSION & EXTROVERSION Source: Morehead State University Office of Retention. The differences between extroverts & introverts. Retrieved from

 6 Things Extroverts Should Know About Introverts 1.We don’t need time alone because we don’t like you. 2.We aren’t judging anyone when we sit quietly. 3.If we say we’re having fun, we’re having fun, even though it might not look that way. 4.If we leave early, it’s not because we’re party poopers. 5.If you want to hear what we have to say, give us time to say it. 6.We’re not lonely, we’re choosy. THE BASICS OF INTROVERSION & EXTROVERSION Source: Dembling, S. (July 16, 2012). Seven things extroverts should know about introverts (and vice versa). Psychology Today. Retrieved from

 6 Things Introverts Should Know About Extroverts 1.We don’t understand introversion unless someone explains it. 2.When we try to get you to loosen up, we aren’t doing it to annoy you. 3.We produce a lot of words but quantity doesn’t preclude quality. 4.We can teach you plenty about small talking. 5.We can’t read your mind 6.We come in all different styles, just like you. THE BASICS OF INTROVERSION & EXTROVERSION Source: Dembling, S. (July 16, 2012). Seven things extroverts should know about introverts (and vice versa). Psychology Today. Retrieved from

 Find a group of 3-5 people around you  Take 1-2 minutes to think about Introverted & Extroverted College Student Leaders  You will be assigned 1 of the following questions  What are the benefits of Introverted College Student Leaders?  What are the challenges of Introverted College Student Leaders?  What are the benefits of Extroverted College Student Leaders?  What are the challenges of Extroverted College Student Leaders? APPLYING THE BASICS TO LIFE AS A STUDENT LEADER

 What challenges might exist for Introverted Student Leaders in the fields of Orientation, Transition & Retention (OTR)? TAKING IT TO ORIENTATION, TRANSITION & RETENTION FIELD

 What challenges might exist for Introverted Student Leaders in the fields of Orientation, Transition & Retention (OTR)?  Go-to people to keep high energy, enthusiasm & excitement  Don’t we all thrive on icebreakers?  Large groups of people (new students, parents/families, faculty, staff, etc.)  Our programs tend to be a long day (or multiple days)  Trying to match the “OL style” expected by new students & parents/families  Group processes in interviews TAKING IT TO ORIENTATION, TRANSITION & RETENTION FIELD

 Plan downtime in schedules (training, programs, etc.)  Allows for time to re-energize  Weigh all portions of applications/interviews equally in the selection process  Allow for multiple forms of expression in reflection  Help students understand how each other work  Applicable to both members of their staff as well as new students  Help students learn to appreciate rather than “get over” it PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR ADVISING & SUPPORTING THE INTROVERTED OL

 Capitalize on Introverted Student Leaders’ desire to care deeply about those people they’re around  Use their innate sense of caution to benefit the program/team  Look at physical spacing during trainings  Asynchronous Learning Opportunities  Group work can be a challenge to the introvert  How can you engage your Introverted Student Leader through online communities?  Posting training materials online following training for further review  Hosting online open houses before/after orientation to engage with new students  Reaching out prior/after leads to a more relaxed & productive in- person connection PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR ADVISING & SUPPORTING THE INTROVERTED OL

Sources:  Baldasaro, T. (September 10, 2012). Embracing introversion: Ways to stimulate reserved students in the classroom. Edutopia. Retrieved from students-in-classroom-tony-baldasaro. students-in-classroom-tony-baldasaro  Cain, S. (September 25, 2012). Must great leaders be gregarious? The New York Times. Retrieved from s-make-great-leaders-too.html?_r=0. s-make-great-leaders-too.html?_r=0  Marfo, A. (November/December 2012). Quiet strength: Developing the introverted student leader. Campus Activities Programming. Retrieved from  Petrilli, L. (January 25, 2012). An introvert’s guide to networking. Harvard Business Review Blog Network. Retrieved from ml. ml PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR ADVISING & SUPPORTING THE INTROVERTED OL

 Working with other members of your Orientation Team who are in this session, what are some practical ways that you can apply this to your Orientation Team and/or programs?  Reporting Out to the Larger Group as a Whole PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS TO YOUR OL TEAMS & PROGRAMS

Brett Bruner Director of Persistence & Retention Fort Hays State University (KS) Randy Flowers Assistant Director of Student Life/Area Coordinator Baker University (KS) ADVISING & SUPPORTING THE INTROVERTED ORIENTATION LEADER