Massive, open, online student affairs

On 2/6/2013 our University Life division had the NASPA president about to talk to us about the future of higher education which he believes includes MOOCs, technology, the economics of educational support, changing demographics, and shifting they was that we support our students. One of the questions that he posed to us is how MOOCs can apply to the work that we do. How does this concept of the massive, open, and online classroom apply to student affairs services? I think there are obvious applications in the areas of staff training for our technological systems (imagine going through an online class for how to use conduct software that goes at your own pace rather than learning the ins and outs with everyone in your department). I think there are other, less obvious applications that could be very successful. One of which is taking student handbooks and turning them into some kind of online class for students. Before they can accept admission to the institution or before they can register for classes, they have to demonstrate knowledge of the policies that they agree to uphold as a new student at their university. And what is the potential application for orientation? If we can shift some of the presentations that students sit through to being an online course that student engage in how can we use our time with incoming students effectively during orientation?

I think Leadership training programs are a great example, this concept has been around for years that students can take courses (for credit or co-curricular workshops) in leadership studies and earn a certificate. What happens if that is paired with an online course session and the focus becomes the student’s application of the knowledge that they’ve acquired and their reflection of that application?

Another example is developing content for Housing Selection. We’ve got information sessions on housing selection to ensure that residents are aware of the processes and know what deadlines are coming up so that they feel they have the information to be successful in selecting a room for next year. Shifting that to being online content with knowledge assessments throughout the process would potentially free up time in the moment to help handle out of the ordinary requests and questions that pop up instead of focusing time on delivering a message multiple, we can deliver the message once in the form of an online course and then provide student support along the way.

A lot of times when we hear about new advances in technology that make our old models/methods of delivery seem out of date, we reel back in defense of these outdated models/methods instead of embracing the new technology that could structurally enhance our day to day lives and our work for students. These aren’t actually models for replacing human interaction because that need will never go away. But we can use these models to engage our students differently around many of the services and activities with which we provide them.

Congruence: Goals for 2013

After a moderate amount of thought about the word resolution, I’ve decided that I prefer the term goal to talk about what I want to accomplish here. I think that’s more appropriate for me because it’s action oriented and not necessarily dependent on a new year beginning. I’ll be posting a short series on what my new goals are and how I’m going to implement them. This is the last in the series and I’ll be reflecting on being more transparent and congruent this year.

To a certain extent, I think I keep various aspects of my life separate. There are deep values that I hold that I don’t discuss or that I put off to the side sometimes because I don’t want to go out on a limb with whoever (friends, family, co-workers, etc.) it might be. I want to be more transparent with some of those aspects. This is both obvious and not so obvious. Right now these blog posts get shared to my tumblr and my twitter account but not to Facebook, I haven’t fully unpacked why that is (or if I should even change that) but it’s an obvious example. It’s also not so surface level, during conversations it’s about what I let go and what I engage with. I need to find a balance between having conversations to challenge people and understanding when to let things go because it won’t be an effective conversation. I also want to make sure I’m not rampaging through conversations with my privilege and my unending opinions.

I’ve also been thinking about how I’m working toward my long term goals. Is my lack of congruence and transparency holding me back from working toward the longer term? I figure it probably is because it doesn’t feel like I’m being authentic all the time when I

I talk a lot about equity and social justice being value. I’m openly critical of a lot of things that I perceive as racist, sexist, or heterosexist but not always when the conversations need to happen with people I love and care about because the conversations are harder with those people. That congruence will be tougher but I think it’s important.

I am who I am, there is no need to separate who I am from certain people. Way easier to say than to do so we’ll see how I do with this goal.

Projects: Goals for 2013

After a moderate amount of thought about the word resolution, I’ve decided that I prefer the term goal to talk about what I want to accomplish here. I think that’s more appropriate for me because it’s action oriented and not necessarily dependent on a new year beginning. I’ll be posting a short series on what my new goals are and how I’m going to implement them. This post is about some projects that I’ve been thinking of and what I want to finish.

Work related:

I’ve had some ideas kicking around about some potential research and assessment projects. I want to do some research around patriarchal masculinity and helping people make meaning of how to change their view on masculinity to be less violent, aggressive, and controlling and how to challenge that in their everyday lives. It’s really about redefining feminism for a lot of people because the definition has been hijacked by conservative media that talk about how radical the movement is. (It has also hijacked radical to be a bad thing when in actually it means to get to the root of something or a departure from tradition; progressive).

I also want to do some work around what meaning students take away from going to a cultural competence or social justice workshop. How much does a student learn and what do participants take away from their experience? I want to explore what makes the session more effective for students. Can the students identify the issues in their real life after the program? How does the information stick and what have they retained after about a month?

As a part of my resident director position, I create a community development plan that I’d like to development an assessment method to go along with it so I can measure how effectively my plan is being implemented. The focal points for my plan should be measurable so I’m going to incorporate an assessment tool in my RAs programming so that it’s easy for them to collect assessment data from their programming. Part of that will be creating new posters based on my community development plan so that the residents are aware of what we’re working toward.

Co-Curricular:

I’ve continued to be interested in web design and projects since my bachelors degree in Information Technology and part of that has been just reading some articles on the web about design. But I want to do more. I recently talked to a friend about creating a portfolio site for him which I’m way behind on. So I’ll be getting more going on that project soon. Another piece of that I’d like to do is work to brand that design as a freelance company type of thing that I could do other projects with. Which would mean creating a design for that page too!

I’ve always been enthusiastic about music and I’d like to get back to being more active with that. I’ve got some old songs that I’ve written that I’d like to re-record and refresh. I also have been playing with new apps on my iPad (mostly from Korg – the new iPolysix app is great! I know I need to explore audiobus too which lets you link up different apps.) so I want to explore more electronic music textures and ideas too.

One of the perks of my job is getting tuition remission and I’d like to use that to explore either design or music technology/production to learn more about some of these interests. Eventually I want to explore doctorate programs that I’ll start in the next couple of years. The problem is in what? Higher ed? Social Justice Education?

That’s what I’ve got on the to-do list for 2013. What do you have left undone from last year that you’re finally going to work on?

Cooking adventures: Goals for 2013

Be more adventurous in cooking

Picture of my KitchenAid Mixer gift — My awesome gift from Laura

So for Christmas I got a KitchenAid stand mixer from Laura and I’m having a great time wanting to cook up some new things. Given this new addition to my kitchen arsenal, I want to learn to make a lot more stuff. I’ve got a few recipes in my regular repertoire but I want to expand those to include more things outside of my comfort zone. I’ve already been inspired to try out cooking some fresh southern style biscuits which turned out really well and tasted delicious with bacon and eggs. I also made some awesome pecan pie cupcakes. Croissants, pasta, sourdough baguettes, etc. I’ve already tackled some delicious pretzel bites that were for the New Years Eve party that I went to. I also made some pizza dough that wasn’t as successful but I’ll get better. I’ve also been looking up some new awesome recipes around the web and been pinning them on my pinterest account. I’m looking forward to attempting the baguettes and sourdough bread.

Other things I’d like to attempt are new meat techniques like aging my own steaks and buying whole tenderloins to cut into steaks. I also want to attempt some pouch cooking and cooking pocket pies. More braised meat, I’ve already made some pork shoulder a few times so now I want to try some barbacoa recipes. I’d like to make my own tortillas for taco nights etc. Trying new sauces. I’m looking forward to some great new cooking and recipes.

What about you? Are you trying out different cooking techniques or recipes? How are you deciding what to make?

Wellness: Goals for 2013

Wellness

After a few small flings with running, going to the gym, and yoga last year, my overall feeling about my personal wellness is mediocre. With that in mind I want to have a better schedule about what I’m doing with my time. I know I’m busy with work and don’t always want to exercise in the evening after I leave the office. I’ve also been fairly terrible at getting up early because I stay awake later than I should and then I don’t want to get up because I haven’t slept enough.

Getting to one of my first action items, I want to get up between 7 and 7:30 AM so that I’ve got time for a run or yoga or the gym. Then I don’t feel pressure to work out after the day is over but if I feel like I need to squeeze in something else then I’ve got the option open. Part of this will be dropping 20-30 pounds this year so that I’m feeling better about what I look like (and also to save myself from buying bigger clothes, saving money!) I’d also like to do more yoga which will help me with my mindfulness and emotional wellbeing goals.

Next up, I want to run at least 150 miles this year. This is very attainable since it’s less than 3 miles per week which I can knock out in less than 45 minutes each week. Another running related goal is to bring my average time per mile down to less 10 minutes. Which means I’d like to run the Shamrock 8k at about 50 minutes (which reminds me to register for the Shamrock 8k!).

Part of both of the previous paragraphs have to deal with some kind of exercise, I’ve got a couple of new apps to help me with my goals and tracking what I’m doing. I joined Fitocracy yesterday to add some fun to my fitness tracking. I also downloaded the Gorilla Workout app for my iPhone and iPad to help with some calisthenic exercises for when I’m away from the gym or need to do something quick.

On to what I’m eating and drinking (which may conflict a little with one of my other goals…). I’d like to eat more balanced during from here on out. Less soda, more water. Staying hydrated is important to the rest of my wellness goals. Since I moved into a new apartment on campus, I’ve been a lot closer to the dining hall and which means that junk food has been more available to me (such as french fries and lots of dessert). So it’s time to resist those foods and eat more vegetables and non-fried stuff.

In addition to physical wellness, I’m going to work on my emotional wellbeing. To do this I’m going to think more about what I have control over and relieve my emotional investment in things I can’t change. Because if I can’t influence what’s happening then I need to think more about what I’m going to do in response rather than getting upset about what’s already done. I’d also like to journal more in order to help me think about what I’m doing and how it’s related to what my more long term goals are and to make sure I’m making meaning of my experiences.

That’s what I’ve got thought up for my wellness goals. Do any of these resonate with you? Are you doing anything similar for 2013?

My Favorite Music of 2012

We were lucky this year. We’ve been fortunate to receive music from great artists – some of which are new to the mainstream-sold-on-iTunes audience. But some are old pros who have been providing us with music for decades. These aren’t in any specific order as some are listed as I thought of them and others are listed as I went through my iTunes library to check out what I bought this year.

Channel Orange by Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean released an album that, for me, is both sparse and lush. Channel Orange is both emotionally raw and beautiful. Frank Ocean lays bare his emotional experiences that provide a depth and emotional connection to the music. I’m really still taking this album in and I think I will be for a very long time, but this is definitely a top pick for me in 2012.

Blunderbuss by Jack White

There isn’t a lot I can say about Jack White that hasn’t already been said. A guy from Fun. described him as our generation’s Tom Waits which I think is fairly accurate (even though Tom Waits is still releasing great music – see last year’s Bad As Me). Jack White has an aesthetic. We are guaranteed that music will be impeccably produced but not overbearing. His explorations of heartbreak on this record help provide great lyrical content to a fantastic music.

El Camino by The Black Keys

The Black Keys did it again. This concise record that references their deep influences in classic rock and blues rocks hard and with a yearning that has been present in their music since Rubber Factory. They collaborated with Danger Mouse again and explored some different sonic areas just check out the synthesizers in Gold on the Ceiling to see what I mean.

Some Nights by Fun.

Undoubtably helped out by Glee, Fun. established themselves as a genre blending rock band with massive melodic hooks that everyone wants to sing along to. They’re clearly influenced by Queen as they sweep through different movements within a single song. The whole album is catchy – except for It Gets Better, which is annoying and repetitive.

Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce came back this year angry about the way working people have been treated by big banks and industry. He wrote about that anger and incorporated some new sonic experiments some from recent-ish records like the Pete Seeger Sessions and others that haven’t been used before (drum machines and -gasp- a rap verse). All in all it’s a solid album that updates Bruce’s magic formula with new tools.

Blak and Blu by Gary Clark Jr.

The newest bluesman on the block releases a full album of songs. I first learned about Gary Clark Jr. through his EP last year, The Bright Lights. Gary Clark Jr. blends old school approaches to playing blues guitar (including great, rich guitar tone) with some hip-hop and R&B influences to create something fresh and new.

An Omen by How to Destroy Angels

As I am a Trent Reznor fan, this was bound to make this list. But this EP has How to Destory Angels coming together as a band with a cohesive sound. The band blends sonic elements with creativity and some new melodies come from Mariqueen Maandig. Check out Ice Age to witness a different approach to acoustic elements and a great vocal melody.

Food And Liquor 2 by Lupe Fiasco

Despite the drama around Lasers I still enjoyed it, but clearly Lupe Fiasco was just waiting to make this album. He’s woven his critical eye of society throughout the album and sounds ecstatic to be recording the music he wants to record. Around my Way is a catchy hip hop track with some old school influences and is critical of the treatment of the Lakota people in Pine Ridge in the first few lines.

Babel by Mumford and Sons

Mumford and Sons did not switch up much here and it’s all still successful. Acoustic instruments and lush harmonies abound on a well written album that jumped out at me when I first listened to it.

Honorable Mentions

This means that I haven’t had a chance to listen to these albums yet, but most likely they’d be included in this list if I had gotten my musical purchasing together to buy them.

Uno!, Dos!, Tre! by Green Day
good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
Cruel Summer by GOOD Music
Shields by Grizzly Bear

I haven’t gotten the Green Day yet, but everything else has been purchased (thanks to an iTunes sale) and awaits my first listen.

Marching Forward

This post is long overdue, but better late than never.

Over the last few months, I accepted a position at George Mason University and graduated with my M. Ed. in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University. It’s been an eventful couple of months than included a move, starting a new job, going to a wedding, and actively enjoying life.

As for my new position, I went into the on campus interview very positive about my brief interactions with people at The Placement Exchange back in March and I was excited when that positivity continued while interviewing for the position. I liked meeting everyone and there was an energy about the department and institution that attracted me. I got a call from the search committee chair the day after the interview with a verbal offer and I decided to accept the position.

Now, in the middle of training, I can still say that I’m proud of my decision and I’m happy that I’m working at George Mason University.

The Saturday following my interview was graduation (as well as closing for my residence hall). My grandparents, mom, and brother came down to help me celebrate the accomplishment. It also made me reflect on how much I have grown as a professional and a person throughout graduate school thanks to great peers, an awesome supervisor, and excellent professors. I’ll always be grateful for my experience at North Carolina State University. Thank you to everyone who was a part of my experience, we will not lose touch!

My moment of hesitation

As a heterosexual, able-bodied, white cis-gendered male, I have a lot of unearned privileges in society that were taught to me through everything I interacted with. Whether it was media, school, etc. One of the only areas in which I don’t carry privilege is in my spiritual identity. I identify as an atheist. (An identity that I’m still exploring and potentially adjusting)

The only time ever that I felt hesitation in declaring my identity was during an exercise at a training retreat that I was taking part in. We all stood in a circle and stepped into the middle of the circle if we identified as {insert your social identity here}. In attendance at the retreat was every one of my new colleagues and all of our supervisors. I had yet to have a full conversation with everyone and suddenly became nervous when asked to step into the circle if you identify as atheist.

Now, I had no reason to be nervous. I was in a room of open-minded people who appreciate diversity and multiple perspectives. And yet, I still feared for the slightest moment that I would be judged for my identity. That is based on the inherent Christian privilege of the United States that implies that anything not Christian is wrong.

Due to my other social identities, I hadn’t felt that sense of not-belonging before and it wasn’t until much later when I was reflecting on my identities that I realized what that moment meant. And if I can feel momentary hesitation and fear about identifying as an atheist what does that mean for someone who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, genderqueer? What does it mean for someone whose identity is visible? What about someone who is African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian American/Pacific Islander? This line of questioning shook me to my core. It opened my eyes a little more to the socialized oppression and privilege prevalent in our society in ways that I previously had not experienced due to my visible privileged identities. It led me to want to become an activist and advocate. It shifted my perspective and professional identity. It made me strive to learn more about myself and our society. It made me engage in social justice advocacy and education.

For these reasons I am grateful for my moment of fear.