Hi, Ray. Thanks for doing this!
Please describe your path to your current position; how you made decisions about career opportunities; and what, if anything, you might have done differently.
Tell us about a difficult situation that you encountered in the past year or two and tell us how you responded to it.
What would you suggest are the keys to success in student affairs work?
How is student affairs work at an institution like yours unique or different from other institutions?
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Hello Dr. Heath!!! How's Scranton? I am very excited to be your 'host' during our class blogging experience. I will do some more inquiry after you've provided the information requested by Dr. Miller. I just wanted to welcome you to our space. ~maria
ReplyDeleteFirst - an apology is in order. A technology glitch, due to my limited experience with the limitations of 'blogging' caused a much more complete response to disappear in cyberspace last night. From this point on, I'll answer each item individually and shorten the text to assure that it reaches you. Please do ask for more details as may be helpful along the way.
ReplyDeleteMy career path has been fairly similar to that of many in our work. After an undergrad experience at Providence College filled with involvement in 'out-of-class' programs, I taught English/coached for 5 years in a large urban high school in CT during a tumultuous era of lingering unrest on college campuses, of civil rights struggles and anti-Viet Nam sentiments in the media constantly. It became clear that a greater and more lasting impact on young people was possible through relationships beyond those in the classroom. Completion of a master's program in psych and feedback from faculty and colleagues led to consideration of several full-time Ph.D. programs to prepare to be a superintendent of schools or perhaps a college administrator. The Higher Ed Policy and Leadership program at Ohio State had been infused with new $ and faculty in response to the Kent State horror so we ventured to Columbus. My mentor there, Phil Tripp, was an exemplary scholar/teacher you may know from the literature. The quality of the program and his wise influence confirmed student affairs work as my calling. A first position as Dean of Freshmen at Ohio Wesleyan University was a great introduction to collaborating with faculty - an ongoing challenge - and to focusing on the array of programs/activities, etc. that could increase student success, satisfaction and retention. My first mentor in the field was a strong leader who encouraged involvement, networking, et al. When an offer to become Dean of Students at La Salle University in Philly arose 3 years later we provincial New Englanders moved 'back east.' More will follow!
ReplyDeleteLa Salle College then was a commuter college in Northwest Philadelphia sponsored by the Christian Brothers. With a respected tradition of enabling primarily first generation students to realize their potential, particularly in business and science-related professions, it was a very attractive opportunity. The foremost challenges were to articulate a sound educational philosophy as the basis for our work (considered peripheral at that time there), clarify the relationship of our theory/practice to the college's mission and core values and to lead the professionalization of a Student Affairs Division while collaborating in the transition to a comprehensive, predominantly residential university. After 5 years, a new President (a veteran University Advancement officer) was appointed and extended an offer to be the VP on his team. Several personal and professional influences (spouse's career, quality of our daughter's educational experience, appeal of a mission and values-driven university, etc.) prevailed and the opportunity was accepted. When reflecting on the 'what might have been' aspect of my career, the decision then to commit to a particular type of university for an extended time would be reconsidered today. Fifteen years later, much had been accomplished despite the complex and sustained challenge of responding to enrollment decline due to poor economic conditions, the increased access gap for our traditional constituency and major image/perception concerns about the urban 'location' as working class neighborhoods nearby deteriorated. Based on many successes, especially with many capital projects based on fund-raising never accomplished there or at similar urban Catholic colleges, another very attractive presidency lured our leader away. The Board struggled to identify a Christian Brother well prepared for the role. Ultimately, a former faculty member who had become the senior academic officer for a year after a brief time away as an ACE Fellow was appointed. Another career transition was imminent.
ReplyDeleteThe new president's first major initiative to balance revenue/expenses included a selective down-sizing of the faculty through incentives to leave earlier than most preferred. The resulting apprehension and anxiety caused a major decline in the community's spirit and morale, particularly among students whose questions couldn't be answered adequately. The next phase was a comprehensive administrative reorganization, influenced by a 'we/they' animosity that had intensified among the faculty. From my perspective, the new model's implications were very negative for students and the Student Affairs staff. We agreed to disagree. I was fortunate and pleased initially to accept an offer to teach full-time as have many SSAO colleagues in this phase of their careers. For that matter, the positive example of one role model's transition to a hybrid administrative/teaching role at a growing public university in FL was reassuring. Confident that a fulfilling next career step was possible, teaching undergrads was very satisfying in many respects. Yet something was missing. That void gradually led to consideration of other administrative opportunities. The value of networking couldn't have been clearer in the following months. A colleague known through professional association activity, was a member of a regional accreditation team at Marywood College (now University in Scranton, PA. He shared my possible interest with a forward-thinking president who'd mentioned her expectation that the decline of vocations to religious communities would lead to major changes in the composition of senior leadership teams at similar Catholic mission/values-driven universities across the country. The opportunity to extend my career in a more challenging/satisfying role in a university 110 miles north without affecting my spouse's career, relocating our home, etc. was very appealing. Now, 13 years later, the sustained rewards of a role I thought would last for 5 years max resemble the answers to questions you've heard often about your motivation for entering this profession. The charge at Marywood mirrored the primary expectations at La Salle. Working with a team of staff, faculty and students to contribute to the university's development into a comprehensive, fully coeducational, predominantly residential university of greater regional distinction has been more personally and professionally fulfilling than ever anticipated and not likely to end soon. Description of a difficult situation or two will follow.
ReplyDeleteSeveral more 'difficult' situations involving students than ever encountered previously at a university (formerly the oldest Catholic college for women - the miner's daughters - in PA) with little history of major incidents have occurred recently. The sustained pattern of significant increases in the major mental health issues being presented to a modest counseling/student development center staff (3 FT, a grad assistant plus a handful of masters and and Psy. D. interns)has the most serious implications for students' and community wellness and is my foremost current planning topic. One case will be shared in more detail in the next entry. However, if you believe student affairs work in small (our university - 1800UGs/1400Grads), private, particularly church-related, settings occurs in a different, far less stressful, almost 'ideal' context, that myth should be diffused. Incidents with intrusive parents ('stealth helicopter' is heard on occasion), efforts to influence decisions by local politicians or generous friends, harassment and other inappropriate behavior by faculty/staff, et al. do occur, perhaps not as often, but are very challenging given staff and other resource constraints. The Dean of Students annual report this year includes summaries of more academic dishonesty cases, including breaking/entering - through a ceiling literally, involving student-athletes with media coverage, violations of the expectation of responsible technology use, fliers and a speech by a prominent national conservative interpreted as offensive by culturally diverse students, class disruptions by non-traditional graduate students including a convicted felon, et al. Those incidents were in addition to the somewhat 'normal' alcohol and other drug use/abuse, visitation, interpersonal conflicts, anger management, excessive noise, violent behavior, etc. cases. I do believe your potential to make a true impact on the students' total learning experience through our work is greater on such campuses. However, as you begin to consider the type of university setting likely to be the best fit for your talents and interests, do so with a realistic understanding of some of the distinct challenges of student affairs work at small colleges. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOne of the more difficult incidents of the past was the failed culmination of an extensive 2+ years effort to enable an 'at-risk' student with potential to succeed. A few years ago the manager of a residential program for adolescent alcoholics approached the university with a proposal based on noteworthy reports of a high number of sober individuals and below average recidivism of those who completed an intensive rehabilitation experience. After a comprehensive review, we concluded that such an intitiative would be mission-related and agreed to a relationship through which a few applicants they recommended would be admitted as full-time resident students without any limitations. Intuition suggested to me then that inadequate resources to support some of these students through a stressful experience, particularly as residents, were available. However,consideration of some 'no tolerance' constraints, at least initially, wasn't pursued. The heavy caseloads and strained capacity of the counseling center staff, particularly of the part-time Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) program coordinator, also influenced that decision. As an alternative, the case conferencing team agreed to review his case each semester and suggest an intervention if concerns were raised. Unfortunately, our expectations of ourselves weren't fulfilled even after incidents that implied involvement of alcohol were reported. A minimal 'another chance' sanction that included an assessment and required regular contact with the AOD staff was imposed as was done with many first incidents, but his inconsistent commpliance wasn't confronted. Months later after reports of more erratic behavior that was thought to be threatening to others and himself, we concluded reluctantly that the univeristy's capacity to assist him had been exhauseted. After a full processing of disciplinary charges, he was suspended indefinitely and hasn't been heard from since. As the mental health and wellness conditions accompanying students to our campuses increase in volume and complexity, we must question whether a university can or should be a therapeutic setting for some. No simple answer or clear cause is identified in most casees when a student is lost, but the sense that more proactive, even intrusive, steps would have been effective in this case lingers.
ReplyDeleteWow, and thank you Dr. Heath. I'd like to touch on your last entry. I believe that colleges and universities are not and should not be deemed as a rehabilation zone for perspective students. This is dangerous waters as you have noted that more and more students are coming into our settings with predisposed issues and diagnoised problems. Therefore, when we accept students with known issues requiring consistent therapy, we are truly doing the student a disservice. Our counseling centers are overrun with students and staff and we cannot make the appropriate accommodations. This is difficult. I run into this problem daily as part of my job is to 'clear' students with "prior conduct" for admission. Issues range from felony arrests to honor code violations. And honestly, it is a toss of the dice. I currently have a student who has been through at least 5 different rehabs for alcohol abuse. (he was let in before my time) Problem is, he has fallen off the wagon more than once. Now, I have to draw the line of demarcation.
ReplyDeleteNaturally, as student affairs professionals we all have the bleeding heart syndrome at some time. But we need to see through that phase of the process and really consider is this the right time for the student AND is this the right time for us.
Dr. Heath, what aspect of the religious affiliated institution has kept you for almost 20yrs of your career? Would you ever go back to public state?
Hi Maria:
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts on the mental health topic. It's a complex and critical issue with major implications and is even more challenging when the ADA regulations are factored in. It will be interesting to learn what others in your class think. In response to your question about a career primarily in church-related, almost exclusively Catholic, higher education, you should know I was educated(K-12 and College)at schools with similar missions and values. Because that context was familiar and well understood, those settings were appealing when I began to search for a Dean of Students position. Also, that aspect of my education/early experience clearly was an asset when interviewing at such schools. An equally attractive opportunity at a public/private larger university definitely would have been accepted. However, my sense then was that appointment to a generalist position that would lead to consideration for a VP role would occur more quickly at a Catholic or other church-related college. That proved accurate (i.e. became a Dean of Students after 3 years in the field). However, after remaining as long in the same type of university, it was very evident that a move to a position with parallel responsibilities in a different institutional type would be more difficult than realized. Given the equally important personal concerns mentioned earlier, a commitment was made to the VP role at La Salle rather than to a search. I wonder often what might have been otherwise, but working at this type of university has been very fulfilling and I encourage you and others in the class to consider a small, mission and values driven college as the ideal lab for our work - at least at an early stage in your careers.
Dr. Heath - thank you for sharing with the class - like you, I too found myself seeking that special opportunity following a new President and change in institutional direction as it relates to student learning... anyway, I am currently serving as the AVP at Saint Leo University and absolutely love being at a student-centered, small mission/values driven insitution - AND - I am no where near my early stage in my career (I am sure all the class would agree and are snickering!) - I believe this has been the best part of my student affairs journey and has provided me an opportunity to turn theory into practice while experiencing a vibrate sense of community and spirit.
ReplyDeleteHi Ken:
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. It's great to read of your satisfaction. I remember St. Leo's well, back to its days as a two-year college. You must have many interesting stories to share of its developmentinto the university it is today. I'm working now with my 4th new president, not as many as might be expected given the data about the relative short tenure of some, but that small number could be another reflection of the appeal of our type of universities. Most of our faculty/staff enjoy the special spirit of this community and look forward to each new day. I am fortunate to have developed great working relationships in most cases, but a chapter in Dr. Miller's next book could be dedicated to the transition experience. Persevere as a senior member of the class; you've much to share from your more mature perspective.
Ray Heath
hum, both you and Ken seem to be very satisfied at small religiously affilitated institutions. Ken talks positively in class about his experience and tries to recruit me. lol.
ReplyDeletep.s. Dr. Heath, which Coney Island joint do you go to? The one on Lackawanna Ave or the one on the side street near the bridge? just curious... you know the story right? if not I'll send it in an email.
Dr. Heath,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your responses. I am particularly interested in your comment about the appeal of working at a “mission and values-driven university” (La Salle College). What strategies did you employ to help align the division of Student Affairs with the institution’s mission? What were some of the practical results of your role in helping to clarify the relationship between the Student Affairs’ theory-to-practice model and the college's mission and core values?
Nicole
Dr. Heath,
ReplyDeleteThank you for dedicating so much time and thought into this project. We are all enjoying our opportunity to interact with the full-time pros in the field.
Judging from my peers' comments on your encouragement to explore a "mission and values-driven university", this is a topic of great interest. Earlier in my life I worked as a pastor to students and have sought out some co-habitation of this role and my current role as a Human Resources professional at a large, metropolitan research university.
Most institutions will be able to provide a mission or value statement in their literature and on their website. I appreciate the difference in your usage above in earlier posts. For others, do you believe they utilize "mission and values driven" to distance themselves from the alternative, "religously affiliated"?
I know that the spiritual/moral development of students has been surfacing in more and more professional and scholarly literature. Given that your experience has largely been at institutions that are religously affiliated, are programs and methodology institutionalized to the extent that there is no formal design step to work towards this outcome?
Thank you for your response.
Rob Liddell
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDr. Heath,
ReplyDeleteThis is Jennifer Schneider. I can't seem to log on using my name...my husband's name keeps popping up. I give up...both my technical skills and patience are limited. :)Anyway...
Thank you so much for your time! You mentioned your current project involves student wellness. Joan Hirt (2006) mentions the fact that change is slower at religiously affiliated institutions because security is often valued more than risk. As you have surely implemented various policies and programs during your tenure, do you find this to be true?
Hello Dr. Heath,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your insightful responses with our class. You mentioned your decision to travel 110 miles away from your spouse as to (if I can paraphrase) avoid uprooting her life in order to adjust to yours. If you don't mind sharing, what advice would you give to balance home and work life, particularly when work causes you to be away from family? Although your situation may be a little more complex, I'm assuming that there must be some similarities between your situation and those of us who don't work normal 9-5 hours due to the demands of work. Any insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!
Edna
Thanks for your candid responses, Dr. Heath. I look forward to reading more from you!
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Clara Ohannes,M.Ed.
USF Academic Advisor
Hi Maria:
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of the Lackawanna Avenue Coney Island. Didn't know there was a story about it, but do send along some local lore. NEPA is a unique area that I've come to enjoy even though our home still is in the Philly suburbs.
Ray Heath
Hi Nicole:
ReplyDeleteThat's a great question that I won't try to answer in detail now; however, we could talk further if you'd like. At both La Salle and Marywood Universities, the institutional planning processes reflected the University's mission, core vales and short-term (3-4 years) strategic plan. Those plans included key strategic objectives with action steps proposed by units (separate areas within the student Life Division or an academic department, for example) across the campus. A Standing Committee of faculty, administrators, students and support staff, (i.e. the University Planning Advisory Committee), developed consensus and approved funding of the foremost shared priorities. Major capital projects and personnel requests are considered differently, but this annual process has been effective for generating planning/action initiatives from the staffs of all areas that reflect the universities' overarching mission/values and goals. Hope this helps clarify a challenging process.
Hi Rob:
ReplyDeleteYou may on to something (perhaps a marketing - or is the term 'branding?'-strategy)about some universities' preference to use the term 'mission/values-driven,' rather than/or interchangeably with 'religiously or church-affiliated.' In most of those universities that I know of, the religious affiliation - in our case the Catholic Identity and sponsorship by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I.H.M.) Congregation - are proudly stated in the mission statement and core values. These documents are distributed, posted and communicated widely along with, for example, Catholic Social Teaching highlights. In response to your 2nd question, our expectation is that development of policies, procedures and practices across the university will be guided by the mission/core values. The Campus Ministry Office is a separate office - not of the Catholic Church or of the IHM Congregation - within the Student Life Division that attempts to engage students in an array of community service, social justice and spiritual development experiences. In addition, the CM staff provide regular liturgical celebrations for all and a Catholic Priest serves as an Assistant Director/Chaplain on the CM team that include 2 IHM sisters and 2 other 'lay,' a term few may have heard often, staff who are not vowed religious. Everyone in the community is encouraged to share the mission/values regardless of their individual faith commitments. There is also a Religious Studies Department in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences that offers coursework through a full major by academically well-credentialed faculty of various faiths or otherwise.
Hi Jennifer:
ReplyDeleteI don't know Ms. Hurt's writing well and am reluctant to agree/disagree based solely on the "security is often valued more than risk" observation. As related to student wellness, particularly mental and physical health issues,though, my encouragement to the staff is, if we err, to do so by commission rather than inaction. The expression that "it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission" tends to prevail. More seriously though, there are several examples of modest risk taking by our staff with students coping with difficult family or home conditions, eating disorders, substance abuse, or relationship, including abuse, or sexual identity or preference issues - and the list could go on - that impede their ability to function, let alone succeed, in a university environment. There may be other issues that you or Ms. Hurt have in mind, but I can't think of many topics that our Counseling/Student Development Center, Student Health Services or Campus Ministry staff would shy away from. All are well trained and credentialed professionals - either Licensed Psychologists/Counselors, Nurse Practitioners or Pastoral Counselors - who are guided by their professional standards and ethics and practice exceptionally well, without, I believe, much thought of Catholic Church teachings as constraints. There are no policies/practices in any area that contradict Church teachings, but we do not believe, as some allege, that the term 'Catholic University' is an oxymoron. Hope this response hasn't strayed too far from the intent of Ms. Hurt's statement or your question. Please get back to me if I'm off base or you have an example you'd like to discuss.
Hi Edna:
ReplyDeleteYou've asked another great question about an equally key topic in our professional and personal lives. Far too many of us and our colleagues in this field never achieved that critical balance and often infer by their 24/7 behavior that others should follow if they're to move up, on or wherever. At an earlier stage in this work, I probably would have qualified as a workaholic-to-be in terms of hours spent on campus, in a residence hall, at a play, concert, basketball game, et al. We tried to do some of those activities as a family, but I know I missed more special days in our daughter's development than ever would be the case today. Early on my wife and I discussed some of the implications of our careers in similar fields. She's attempted to touch the Youth of America as a secondary teacher and occasional administrator for more years than she'd ever acknowledge. We understood then that our careers were lifestyle choices in ways other than just compensation and we've worked together to support and complement each other along the way. When I began to consider leaving La Salle to get back into administration, she was most supportive when stating clearly that she hoped I would apply to universities close to major airports. Kidding aside though, we agreed that we would consider every alternative to relocation. Her professional fulfillment is as vital to our relationship as my satisfaction. We were patient and ultimately very fortunate when opportunities arose within a 2 hour drive. With a bachelor hovel in Scranton, how could you go wrong? Just ask Maria! The hours over 4 days are long, but the staff realize and support my traveling on Friday nights/Monday mornings during most weeks. Involvement with some community activities has been maintained and a drive to a meeting on one afternoon and back to campus early the next morning occurs from time to time, usually w/out being missed. When there are Board meetings or major development or other weekend functions here, Carol heads north on the PA Turnpike and I reverse the direction for the junior prom, a special football Saturday, etc. at her school. Would never have attempted this if our daughter was still home, but, in many respects, this decision not to disrupt either of our careers has worked well, especially over the last 13 years. We have many friends who travel far further on weekends and manage O'K. Needless to say, a location as close to so many universities also added to the feasibility of such an arrangement. Hope that's helpful!
This provides me hope... as rather than uproot my family (or pass up a wonderful opportunity) we too elected for a long-distance relationship - while 90 minutes didn't seem that far - and the goal was one weekend in Saint Leo and the other in Orlando - the reality has not been that - and seems to be averaging about a weekend a month. Especially with all the homework from the PdD program!!!!
ReplyDeleteAlthough fully supported by the University the every weekend travel hasn't been a reality, it is just one of those things, especially now that our kids are in college - University commitments, and my wife's business travel plans have limited our weekend travels more than expected... with that said, however, after 24 years of marriage these past 2 years have been great - we talk now more daily than most couples we know - we actually "plan" things to do when we are together (and I can get through the "honey-do" list) and it is sort of like dating all over again... we actually "have to" communicate rather than "tolerate" each other (although most who know me will state that my wife has always just had to tolerate me) and don't see this changing anywhere in the near future (especially with this economy)...Again, I am inspired by your longevity to make this work... thank you
Hi Ken:
ReplyDeletePersevere with the process - the first time year hear "Congratulations Dr. Posner," you'll know the yoke has been removed and wonder why you didn't get it done years ago!
Ray Heath
P.S. The check is in the mail.