Direction and Implementation
Working in an unfamiliar space, you learn about the nuances of life, learning, and professional practice. MIAD, by far, has been the most unique experience. I call it New Orleans, because in this small community, you find some of the most talented and diverse students (I mean beyond what the eye can see).
Here at MIAD, students are guaranteed to dedicate 45 hours inside and outside of the classroom for their 15 credit hour course load. As designers, they are innovating how we use everyday tools to navigate life. As artists, they are translating how you think, see, and experience the world.
Here at MIAD, students are guaranteed to dedicate 45 hours inside and outside of the classroom for their 15 credit hour course load. As designers, they are innovating how we use everyday tools to navigate life. As artists, they are translating how you think, see, and experience the world.
Advising Practice: Vision and Implementation
As a director, I was tasked with evaluating what worked well about advising and its gaps. By creating a strategic plan, I aligned the Advising Office with Academic Leadership goals, Student Services needs, and professional recommendations around student success.
Within the first 90 days of hire, I was able to identify Holistic and Cognitive Information Processing as foundational theories for MIAD's advising practice. Beyond identifying, I worked with both Student Services and Academic Affairs to train advisors within both spheres about these theories and how to carry these theories in practice to FYE and continuing declared students.
Methodology: 1:1 coaching; facilitating workshops; organizing and hosting regional professional development days
Within the first 90 days of hire, I was able to identify Holistic and Cognitive Information Processing as foundational theories for MIAD's advising practice. Beyond identifying, I worked with both Student Services and Academic Affairs to train advisors within both spheres about these theories and how to carry these theories in practice to FYE and continuing declared students.
Methodology: 1:1 coaching; facilitating workshops; organizing and hosting regional professional development days
COnvocation and Workshops
New Student Orientation
It's not just about tools, but community-CommUnity. Is it possible to come to an unfamiliar space and find acceptance, respect, and success?!
During New Student Orientation (NSO), I partnered with faculty and alums to create the "Gallery Crawl" at this event, I achieved the needs of academic affairs to introduce curriculum through artists lecturing about their exhibition; I connected students to the goals of Career Services by alumni being included in networking with FYE students (students being inspired by who they can after their degree completion); I celebrated students by building commUnity with the help of Hawthorn Contemporary offering space for student activities.
CommUnity didn't just come at the expense of entertainment. Collaborating with Student Services and Academic Affairs, I identified a need to talk about diversity and equity. Through this dialogue, CommUnity in Dignity became a focal point for not only facilitating conversations around diversity, but a catalyst for asking what are the gaps in faculty and staff professional development with multicultural competence, assessing our college climate for an inclusive environment for all, and giving language to the type of community we wanted to see here at MIAD.
Partners: Academic Affairs, Student Services, Hawthorn Contemporary, UBUNTU Research, and Still Waters Collective
During New Student Orientation (NSO), I partnered with faculty and alums to create the "Gallery Crawl" at this event, I achieved the needs of academic affairs to introduce curriculum through artists lecturing about their exhibition; I connected students to the goals of Career Services by alumni being included in networking with FYE students (students being inspired by who they can after their degree completion); I celebrated students by building commUnity with the help of Hawthorn Contemporary offering space for student activities.
CommUnity didn't just come at the expense of entertainment. Collaborating with Student Services and Academic Affairs, I identified a need to talk about diversity and equity. Through this dialogue, CommUnity in Dignity became a focal point for not only facilitating conversations around diversity, but a catalyst for asking what are the gaps in faculty and staff professional development with multicultural competence, assessing our college climate for an inclusive environment for all, and giving language to the type of community we wanted to see here at MIAD.
Partners: Academic Affairs, Student Services, Hawthorn Contemporary, UBUNTU Research, and Still Waters Collective
Advising and Career Development
Creating a manageable tool for both advisors and students was important for aiding a dialogue around curriculum and career development. Being able to create key phrases helped to lead advising "key points" while having a "to do list" to help track student progress. This Professional Preparation Plan fosters a supportive 4 year track while aiding the student at any "stage" of academic progression to be reflective on novice capabilities to expert skills.
