1. Lessons Learned: Implementing Strengths into a First-Year Program Sondra L. Cave, Ed.D. MidAmerica Nazarene University Achiever, Focus, Discipline, Significance, Competition Gallup Webinar March 5, 2008

2. -Achiever-Futuristic -Activator-Harmony -Adaptability-Ideation -Analytical-Includer -Arranger-Individualization -Belief-Input -Command-Intellection -Communication-Learner -Competition-Maximizer -Connectedness-Positivity -Consistency-Relator -Context-Responsibility -Deliberative-Restorative -Developer-Self-Assurance -Discipline-Significance -Empathy-Strategic -Focus-Woo

3. The first year  Students experience great transitions between leaving home and arriving on campus.  Experience – critical to persistence  Shift – most stressful transition

4. Helping the new student survive is a necessary responsibility of every college and university. The first year

5. Priority  Helping students understand importance of focusing on academics/balancing social life  Helping student with personal adjustment, developmental issues, living with roommates/other relationships, personal responsibility…

6. Purpose:  Build friendships/relationships/bonding (20 out of 20)  Ease transition/equip for college career (12 out of 20)

7. Value:  Definitely (2 out of 20)  Pointless, stupid, dumb, no value, waste of time (18 out of 20)

8. Objectives:  Teaching basic survival skills  Helping acclimate – personal, academic, career, social, recreational opportunities  Develop positive lifelong learning skills  Helping cope successfully w/demands  Helping become more aware of self and become valuable member of the campus community

9. Objectives:  Helping student clarify own personal values, needs, and attitudes  Enhance students’ academic skills  Help students develop personal skills in time/money management

10. Process:  2002 – very small pilot - 4 sessions  2003 – large group - research  2004 – one group  2005 – experimental/control (half/half)  2006 – entire program  strengths  2007– entire program  strengths/changes

11. Lessons Learned  Don’t start w/strengths on first day  Students still need practical information  Strong foundation/introduction necessary  Content is manageable for those teaching it  Keep curriculum/content “moving”

12. Lessons Learned  You – the initiator/facilitator –It takes time –Keep it simple

13. Lessons Learned  Move beyond “discovery zone” – –Develop – integration of how strengths play out in life and help them.

14.  R elating to my closer friends (Relator)  I ncluding everyone (Includer)  L oving to collect some things (Input)  E ternally thinking outside the box (Ideation)  Y not be happy?(Positivity)

15. Lessons Learned  Move beyond “discovery zone” – –Develop – integration of how strengths play out in life and help them. –Apply – able to make decisions/take action as result of strengths; more aware of others and their strengths; work differently w/others because of self- and others-awareness.

16. Lessons Learned  Evaluation –“mile marker” –“Are we doing what we say we are doing and are we doing it well?”

17. Lessons Learned Ideally, freshmen seminars create an environment in which students face challenges of: --forming identity --becoming socially/academically involved --learning to think critically

18. Lessons Learned  Most are intended to help freshmen deal with: –Being homesick –Provide support –Learn way around campus –Develop study skills to keep GPA from ↓

19. Lessons Learned  Strengths can add component of forming identity: Calling Career Major Profession

20. Lessons Learned  Freshmen seminar instructors cannot prepare freshmen student with knowledge base they will need for each discipline – they provide them with strategies. –Strategies already exist – talents and abilities (plus knowledge/skills = strengths).

21. Lessons Learned “It is up to us to find a formula that will attract and retain students and help them succeed, not only in college, but in life.” Henscheid, 2000

22. Lessons Learned Any Questions??? Sondra Cave, Ed.D. rcave@mnu.edu 913-971-3612