Phyllis, Your students' are fortunate to be involved with your team. Student-focused teams are what make good career colleges successful.
I would have to say that our school is made up primarily of those with “Intelligent Heartsâ€. Having been a student at the organization and now an instructor, I see how effective that the entire staff is at motivating the student to do their best because everyone firmly believes in the personal touch and truly goes above and beyond the job description to offer anyone who needs extra help the additional attention that they need, even if it is just a sympathetic ear.
Phyllis
Thanks, Jeff. Several career colleges have forms of student government or student councils. They offer a great way for campus leadership to interact with students to address concerns before they become complaints.
Many colleges also use student organizations to help plan and facilitate community outreach programs such as blood drives, toys-for-tots, food for the needy, etc.
We have recently developed a student council which will hopefull give some guidance and thoughts towards a mission statement and idea for students to embrace and works towards. Our school leadership is working on becoming more school culture centered and thinking with "intelligent hearts."
Thank you, Kevin. It is really a good idea for each faculty member to have access to a list of resources to which students may be referred. This list should include resources available through the school as well as community resources.
As instructors we see and deal more with the students than anyone else on campus. So when the student has a problem their more likely to come to us before anyone else. It takes more than just teaching to be a good instructor. You have to be someone who will take the time to help a student who is in need. Even if it's just listening and pionting the student in the right direction to get help.
"Intelligent Heart" is mentoring and pointing to students to the right sources so that they can succeed.
Complacency is a major issue at all colleges Im sure. We are lucky that our student's have a physical goal in mind to be come a proffessional chef.Even though our student are in contact with peopl;e that have reached this goal we still encounter the student that need the encouragement to relize they can achieve thier goals.
Jon,
It appears that you are referencing the relationship between admissions representatives and students when you say "It's great to enroll a student and remember their name months later, but what do you really know about the student? Nothing."
m
This is a challenge for a lot of career colleges. One successful college in Nebraska used to form teams with members of each department, including representatives, who would track a group of students and meet with them once or twice per term. The teams worked with the students on community projects, fundraisers, campus beautification, etc. The leadership of the college believed this type of approach led to positive results for the students and each department in the school.
This kind of activity only works if the campus leadership is committed to it. It will not work if the reps start fading away from the activities because their numbers are not where they need to be.
Because we are a non-profit organization, we are naturally very small. In my opinion this is good and bad. Having a close knit group of employees can contribute to a family atmosphere, again, being good and bad. I would describe the culture as "dysfunctional family." Maybe the family that's portrayed in movies during Christmas time, they all love one another and get along, but there is always a sense of underlying frustration or a behavior that irks someone.
Everyone gets along, but there are definite dividing lines and some times "too many experts/bosses and not enough workers." I think we have Intelligent Hearts, but not enough and not enough emphasis on this concept. It's great to enroll a student and remember their name months later, but what do you really know about the student? Nothing. I would like to see more interaction to ensure the student's succeed instead of just recognizing they are present.
My perception of an Intelligent Heart is a person that knows the difference between blowing smoke and acutally communicating with a student. A person that addresses negative behavior (i.e. missing school or failing a test) with positive reinforcement and achieves the end goal of helping the student understand why they can do better, instead of brow beating them. A person that is able to develop a true connection and a relationship with not only the students but their co-workers to work towards a common goal.
Randy,
You are fortunate that you have a Director that focuses on teamwork. This is what you will normally find in good career colleges.
Our school's culture is one fo a very positive attitude toward our students. It starts with our director who tells everyone up front taht we are a teaqm. Our team is busy trying to help our students succeed in their chosen field.
Helping our students realize their dreams. Helping to build their confidence and showing them ways to attain their goals.
You're welcome. Our President makes a point to walk about the campus, several times a day, to meet with students and staff--just to greet us. He conducts a morning stand up meeting with the management staff to ensure that they are communicating well with each other. In addition, he has formed teams of all faculty and administrative staff members to highlight items we perceive to be working, not working, and what's possible. We are working on action plans at this time.
Thank you, James. You are fortunate to have a campus President with an edupreneural spirit, one that balances the needs of students with the business needs. Inspiring a happy, dedicated staff is the most important thing a leader can do.
What are some of the specific things your President does that makes your school such a good place to work?
Our NPS Scores are getting better at our campus. Our President has done a fantastic job addressing the importance of NPS in our mission to increase enrollment and student retention. Our goal is to make our school the best place to work in San Francisco.
my perception is that of someone that is willing to make/take the time to work with and help out the students.
Thank you, Marlene!
Those that are negative will eventually leave or become more positive when surrounded by positive people. One of the executives I worked for used to tell me that he could tell what kind of place a school was within five minutes of meeting the receptionist and walking into the student lounge. If you have a good school, it is easily discovered.
We have a lot of intelligent heart in our institution. I feel thats why are retention rate is good. Hopefully we can model this to the students and they in turn can pick it up. I also believe that when you have so many people with the same goals at heart, it makes it very hard for those that don't not to stand out.
Thank you, Miguel. I like the "I Care!" bbutton idea. It sets a behavioral expectation that all of your team can live by.
