Transcript Panel: An Appreciative Inquiry Perspective (PPT)

THRIVING AT THE LIBERAL
ARTS COLLEGE: BEST
PRACTICES…
PANEL: AN APPRECIATIVE
INQUIRY PERSPECTIVE
Paul Hutchison
April 8, 2016
Grinnell College
Grinnell College’s Task Force on Residential
Learning
Four “key areas of evaluation” identified in the charge
to the Task Force
1.
2.
3.
4.
Define the goals of self-governance…
Suggest avenues to infuse the college mission into the
residential experience
Help students thrive, not just survive
Provide leadership development for students
What does a thriving student look like?
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managing mental health and
accessing resources as needed
sufficient sleep
engaged with co-curriculars
comfortable with vision of
where they are going
if they use alcohol, low risk/of
their own volition
feel respected and safe onand off-campus
sustainable study/sleep habits
academic engagement,
intellectual curiosity
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manageable academic
workload
breaks from academic work
a support/care network
free to be authentic self
(identity exploration)
choices on consensual sexual
activity free of coercion
connected to the College
through traditions and at least
one faculty or staff member
fun
interact with people from
different backgrounds
Thriving characteristics – our students say
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Access to mental health
services
Sense of agency
Doing what makes them
happy (intellectually/other)
Excited/motivated entire day
Work-life balance
Workload is manageable but
challenging
Free time
Not engage in the competitive
stress and suffering culture
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Academic success is necessary
but not sufficient
Some engagement not related
to school or future
Feel comfortable, heard, &
understood
Feel safe asking for help
Understand differences
Time for oneself and others
Feel safe