Each student leader has an agenda, I’m sure. I mean, we all do. For many student leaders, may participate is a way to make them appear more business to apply for jobs. For others, perhaps a way to make a social circle of friends.
There are definitely reasons behind our student leaders are doing what they are doing. (Look for "Dr. Sara Boatman’s UVA theory of motivation.") But the bottom line is our students do a lot of amazing things and get little in return. In fact, they are paying thousands of dollars for access to their leadership roles.
As a young professional – only three or more years removed from graduate school – I still vividly remember what being a student leader was too involved. Student Government. Student Activities Board. Deputy Resident. K. The Circle and so on …
I reflect on those years often. It is a useful thing to do, given that interact with the student leaders of today as a professional.
One of the things I’ve been thinking a lot lately is the notion of Nevitt Sanford of challenge and support. A fair balance of the two is essential to help foster growth in our students. Each of us is responsible for a balance of challenge and support to help our students develop in pairs, educated, and independent adults.
My interest in writing this blog entry today is to involve everyone in a discussion of the support component of the theory of Sanford. What are we doing to support our student leaders? Specifically, what are we doing?
Often, not thinking about specific things we do to support, encourage and praise our student leaders. I recently made a lot of ideas about how they can better support my students. I’m afraid that sometimes we as student affairs professionals, are as set out in the challenge to our students who inadvertently neglect the support component.
I challenged myself to make things more deliberate in the coming weeks to support what they are doing as disinterested student leaders. Specific things – such as unsolicited letters of recommendation, thank you notes, public accolades, and even small treats in their mailboxes.
Such things do not cost much (and we all know that is important in this time of budget crises fear), but mean so much to our student leaders. After all, it’s not like they’re reeling in big salaries for their dedicated service.
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