Moving from Entertainment to Engagement

Lately I have been doing focus groups with students on a topic unrelated to my dissertation.  However, I cannot help but see the connections to my work as the students share their thoughts.  First, some context from my work:

Lindholm (2007) noted that nearly half of students beginning college indicate that spiritual issues are essential or highly important to them.  Now, don’t imagine a group of students sitting around talking about Jesus-this is college remember. 

Think instead of heated debates over whether or not Texas will ever acknowledge same-sex marriage.  Or think of a thoughtful student sitting in the library supposedly working on accounting homework but daydreaming about how he will honestly live most of his work days-in the family business that he is lined up to inherit, or teaching middle-school students to play soccer which makes his heart leap in his chest with enthusiasm.

Realize also, that two-thirds of these students expect their college or university to promote their “self-understanding, prepare them for responsible citizenship, develop their personal values, and provide for emotional development” (p. 12). 

College students clearly desire spirituality and spiritual development as a part of their university experience and expect colleges and universities to provide environments that facilitate their spiritual growth.

Minasian (2010) urged the higher education community to consider implementing a more holistic environment for students “not only to gain rich academic experiences, but also to understand that values, ethics, and morals are part of that experience” (p. 3). 

Obviously Minasian believed in the importance of the academic environment, including discussions of values, ethics, and morals as important components of student growth. 

For example, in place of sterile, morally stripped discussions about the rules of finance without discussion about the moral obligations of money handling, students miss rich opportunities for dialogue about character and causes greater to enriching the self than balancing ledgers.  Higher education environments that allow morality and spirituality should not compete against those that do not.  All college environments should evolve to serve today’s students’ needs holistically.

As I have listened to these focus groups, students are craving these discussions.  Sometimes the students will mention attending a Speaker Series but what they are really, really craving is for a peer leader to facilitate respectful, authentic give and take conversations among friends.  The students are begging for someone to have meaningful dialogue with them in the residence hall.  Where has our ability to facilitate learned engagement gone? 

These students clearly have indicated a desire for these discussions over a short-term party atmosphere.  They are clear that they want nothing to interfere with their (wait for it) study time.  Not even kidding, they have been clear that they will forego a fun event to stay in their room and study.  No contest. 

So, higher education must move from an entertainment model to an engagement model.  And this change needs to come quickly!

 

REFERENCES

Lindholm, J. A. (2007, September/October). Spirituality in the academy: Reintegrating our lives and the lives of our students. About Campus, 10-17. doi:10.1002/abc.218

Minasian, S. A. (2010, November 14). Spiritual life on campus: Agreeing to disagree. Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/Spiritual-Life-on-Campus-/125328/

Living Your Values

 I’ve read many definitions of integrity and I guess for me it comes down to making your behavioral choices align with your long-term values.

Before I came to my current environment I had idealistic (unrealistic?) thoughts about how people conducted their lives.  I believed in authenticity and I believed in living the values you espouse.

 

I still believe in those things.  I just don’t believe in people as much.  I now realize living an authentic life with integrity is much rarer.

 

I have been surprised at how many weddings certain people are not invited to because that person may be “blacklisted” by someone else. For some reason I truly thought that events like weddings, showers, and other celebrations were times when lines dissolved and the pureness of celebration, of joy, and of sharing triumphed.

 

I’ve learned I have been wrong….my perceptions are idealistic and one can be shunned for no valid reason other than because someone else on the guest list (with more power) doesn’t favor the person. 

I recall a specific incident when a very high profile wedding was occurring and one individual was not invited which surprised a lot of people.   The uninvited person had provided job opportunities and promotions to the person getting married but was not in favor by the leader. 

 

Fast forward a couple of years and the System forwhich we all work conducts and eight-week investigation and the power player is no longer working at the institution.  After about six months the environment has begun to neutralize.

 

I wonder does it bother the person that they took the “in” political route instead of holding to authentic values?

 

I wonder was it worth it?  Was it worth playing to the current political structure instead of integrity?

 

After working in higher education for 24 years, one thing I know for sure, power will shift.

 

Because power will shift, I find it is easier to sleep at night when you have demonstrated your own integrity.

Don’t sway to the passing political powers-stay true to your own values.  They will serve you in the long run.

6 Reasons asking yourself “What is my Lesson in this Situation?” is beneficial

6 Reasons asking yourself “What is my Lesson in this Situation?” is beneficial

By: Dr. Elizabeth Wallace

I am a big believer in asking “what is my lesson in this situation?”

I do this to mine wisdom and growth from situations I might otherwise be inclined to complain about.  Below are six reasons why asking yourself this question is a good habit to form:

Asking this simple question:

1.       Keeps you focused on you.  This helps prevent blaming!

2.       Helps you remain positive.  It is hard to focus on being angry or bitter when you are seeking growth and enlightenment.

3.       Moves you through mental stages.  As an individual considers actions as lessons, it is difficult to ignore the desire to implement the learning in one’s life.

4.       Reminds you that you are part of something bigger than yourself; you are connected to others.

5.       Allows you to connect events that might not have been connected otherwise.  Asking questions of yourself may help identify trends in your behavior that can be addressed for improvement.

6.       Establishes the practice of reflection.

It is often easy to get swept up in so much of the busy-ness or distractions offered by today’s lifestyles and establishes an art practice of centering oneself.  Taking a few minutes to journal or just think about these six things will help individuals strive to be the best self, possible.

Bio:

Dr. Elizabeth Wallace has a doctorate of education and has spent 24 years working with college students.  Her passion is spirituality and the development of spiritual identity.  Dr. Wallace and her husband live in Texas where they are well-trained by their seven year old Boarder Collie, Pete and their two year old Australian Shepard, RePete.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.l.wallace.5

Twitter:  libby0218