1. Pathways to otr employment at small colleges and universities
Dr. Brett L. Bruner, Director of Transition & Student Conduct at Fort Hays University (KS)
Jennifer L. Granger, Director of Student Activities & Orientation at Lasell College (MA)
Molly Dugan, Assistant Director of Leadership & Orientation at Xavier University (OH)

2. Brett, Jenny, and Molly enjoying a NODA conference.
Presenters
Brett, Jenny, and Molly enjoying a NODA conference.

3. Overview of Presentation
Introductions, Overview, & Learning Outcomes
Understanding the Nature of a Small College
What makes working at a Small College unique?
Why apply to work in OTR at a Small College?
Pathways to a Small College Position
Closing, Q & A, Personal Reflection
Evaluations Reminder
Thank you!

4. Learning Outcomes
As a result of participating in this educational session, participants will:
Define a small college and university (SCU) utilizing NODA’s Small College Network definition.
Describe the nature of orientation, transition, retention, and student affairs at SCUs utilizing Westfall’s (2007) framework.
Identify 2 foundational competencies for SCU OTR professionals.

5. Understanding the Nature of a Small College
This presentation will use NODA’s (2008) definition of a Small College as an institution “having 5,000 or less students.”
Throughout this presentation we will present with an emphasis on the following areas:
Religiously-affiliated institutions
Private, non-sectarian institutions
Public universities (traditionally regional institutions)
Understanding how the variable size within the NODA Small College Network definition influences small colleges
Understanding how the variable location (rural, suburban, urban) influences small colleges
Institutional history and identity

6. What?
Working at a small institution professionals need to have an understanding of the more global nature of student affairs at utilizing Westfall’s (2007) work.
Working at a small college is unique. Some items to be aware of:
The student affairs portfolio in small colleges.
Student affairs staffing in small colleges.
Partners in a community of learners - Student affairs and academic affairs collaborating at small colleges.
Understanding the role of the senior student affairs officer at small colleges and universities.

7. Why? What is your why? Why apply? Why work at a small college?
How do you apply your previous skills to working at a small institution?
How do you learn to understand the nature of a small college?

8. Pathways to a Position at Small College
Hanway’s (2010) strategies for landing a job at a small college including emphasis on the following points of reference:
Emphasize your understanding of the job in your application materials.
Convince the institution you are ready to work at a small college
Tell the institution why you are invested in its mission - mission matters at a small college & university!
Show enthusiasm for the position

9. Now What? Utilizing our (and your mentors) personal experiences
Understanding the office structure & dynamic of your new institution.
Strategies for transitioning into an OTR job at small college & university

10. Tips for Transition
Gonzalez’s (2015) tips for transitioning into the small college environment.
Regardless of your position, there are many times when you will wear different hats at one event.
Collaboration is key.
Embrace the values, culture, and infrastructure of the small college.
You are now in a fishbowl.
1st bullet point: While you may serve as the OTR Director, you might sometimes be the AV tech, social media coordinator,  photographer, and keynote speaker for the same event.
2nd bullet point: Because of the many one-off departments and offices at small schools and smaller budgets and less staff than what you may have had at larger institutions, you and your programs can have greater impact if you collaborate with other student affairs and academic departments.
3rd bullet point: You will most likely not have a bowling alley, movie theater or even multiple eating venues that serve food 24 hours a day at the institution. You may not find multiple stand alone centers but rather only one student or campus center where multiple offices and services are housed.  And having a program with 40 people may already be considered a large number.
4th bullet point: Just as much as you know the names and stories of your students and colleagues, they will also know you. The community may know the name of your dog, the cafeteria workers know you love bacon and that you start my day with a decaf soy latte. People know  your accomplishments and  failures.  The things that you do will have greater impact to you and others at small schools than perhaps at larger institutions.

11. Formula for Leading
Hopkins’s (2014) formula for leading in a student affairs unit at a small college or university.
When teams are small, like they are on many small colleges, the wrong person on the bus can destroy morale.
Use empowerment as a means of professional development to get more work accomplished, create interesting learning opportunities, and most importantly, discover more about the skills and interests of those you work with.
Find ways to communicate with other small college professionals and collaborate as you go about your daily work to provide a great source of inspiration and support that is hard to emulate on campus.
Whether we are visible to students or staff, what we do is often more important than what we say.
1st bullet point = Subscribe to the team interview concept and always include others in the hierarchy when making hiring decisions.

12. Personal Reflection
What personal strengths and competencies would assist you in working in OTR at a small college or university?

13. Closing and Questions with Answers

14. Thank you! Contact Us: Brett – blbruner@fhsu.edu
Jenny –
Molly –