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CONTENTS Connect With Us The APCA Campus Life Trends Magazine is published quarterly. Submissions for articles must be emailed to editor@apca.com. For advertising, please contact associates@apca.com.
Keeping Students Engaged by Del Suggs...............................................p. 6 From Entertainer to Entrepreneur Sailesh Jiawan’s Journey To His Break Out Year.....................................................p. 10 10 Tips to Help You Stay Sharp This Summer................................................p. 15 A College Road Map To Success by Olivia Williams.......................................p. 16 Greetings From The Great Northeast! by Kim Jackson...........................................p. 18 APCA Notice: Your Campus Life Budget Has Been Cut!....................................................p. 24 Do You Remember The First Time You...? by Amiee Mueller........................................p. 26
Publisher: Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities Production: Rachel Barnes Graphic Design: Designs by Pinkie The Campus Life Trends Magazine is a trademark of the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities. All rights reserved. No articles or images of any kind may be reprinted from this magazine without the written permission of The Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities. Anyone seeking such permission should forward their request by email to editor@apca.com.
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For Speaking Availability:
310-625-PINA
CollegeSpeakingWithPina.com
PINA DE ROSA
Renowned Speaker on Date-Rape Awareness & Sexual Assault Prevention
In April 2014, to protect students from sexual assault, the White House Task Force, created a first report:
“Colleges and universities can no longer turn a blind eye or pretend rape and sexual assault doesn’t occur on their campuses.” - Vice President Biden
Pina De Rosa, M.C.Ht. Mindset Effectiveness Expert & Acclaimed TEDx Speaker
DATE-RAPE AWARENESS & SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION
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She spoke to my students it was powerful, it was impactful 30 minutes, she changed lives!
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A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE POINTS COVERED • • • • •
A step-by-step to making powerful choices. How to feel both safe and empowered. How to create limits and boundaries. How to step up and look out for one another. Let’s end this epidemic once and for all!
Call 310-625-PINA to book Pina for your next event! CollegeSpeakingWithPina.com
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KEEPING STUDENTS ENGAGED by Del Suggs We hear about student engagement constantly in Higher Ed. Why is engagement considered so important? It’s because engagement demonstrates an active involvement in learning. Students who are engaged are taking a pro-active approach to their education. They are more focused on the learning that is taking place. There has been a massive amount of research done over the last thirty-five years about the impact of engagement on student attrition. Without exception, the studies have all shown that engagement increases retention dramatically. Engagement is basically the difference between a student graduating and dropping out of college. It’s that important. Thanks to the on-going research by the National Survey on Student Engagement at Indiana University, we have years of evidence about the value of engagement. In 2008, Dr. George Kuh published High-impact educational practices: What they are, who has access to them, and why they matter. Dr. Kuh lists the ten most valuable engagement practices. 6
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The ten High Impact Practices defined by Dr. Kuh are all based on the classroom experience, and not the co-curricular world of Student Affairs. And yet, several of the HIPs can well be attained with students working in student activities and student development. The 10 High Impact Practices: 1. First-Year Experience or First-Year Seminars. 2. Writing intensive courses 3. Diversity/Global Learning 4. Common Intellectual experience (core curriculum) 5. Undergraduate research 6. Capstone courses and projects None of these lend themselves to the student life office, at least not in an obvious manner. However, the last few do reach out for inclusion in the student development curriculum. Internships: given the high impact of internships, these should be considered for students working with the student activities board.
Collaborative Assignments and projects: Students working closely on important projects and events are the essence of an effective student activities board. These activities should clearly be transferable. Learning Communities: While not a direct comparison to the living-learning communities that are a part of residence life at many colleges, the collaboration that is involved between members of the student activities board is clearly an apt comparison. Service Learning: given the emphasis on community service at most campuses, this HIP is certainly one of the simplest examples of engagement in student activities. By offering as many of the HIP elements as possible, the student activities office can be a strong force in student engagement. ORGANIZATION INVOLVEMENT Communities of practice, organizations, and clubs on campus are another powerful force for engagement. We should be working to increase the number of students involved with these groups, and provide high levels of support to ensure their success. • Have an Activities / Involvement / Club Fair at the very beginning of each term. At these events, clubs can inform students about their activities and goals, and recruit new members. • Increase the number of clubs and organizations on campus by providing support and guidance. Foster a nurturing environment for new clubs to flourish.
• Provide and require officer training for students to assure that clubs function effectively. Also provide Advisor training, as effective advisors are essential to a campus organization survival.
Recognize & value involvement. Create awards & prizes for active & successful involvement. • Promote a co-curricular transcript. While this listing of student involvement is become more visible with every year, it is still uncommon. It provides strong encouragement to be involved on campus, and is a valuable marketing resource for job-seekers. INCREASING CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT Getting students to attend and engage in activities and events is a struggle at nearly every college. While Campus Activities Boards work to increase attendance, there are multiple ways to get more students engaged. More, smaller events. Many schools are locked in the practice of presenting large events such as concerts and festivals. Perhaps a more effective way to reach more students is to present multiple smaller events. By offering smaller programs at various times and locations, the SAB has the ability to reach more students.
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Targeted audiences presenting multiple programs enables the student activities office to reach more specific audience, such as nontraditional students, returning students, families, first-generation students, and more. More interactive events while continuing the traditional student activities offerings, perhaps SABs should also present more interactive programs. Try adding more karioke, open mics and poetry jams to your schedule. Support for Residence Life programs As students in residence halls have the opportunity of pursue more of the Highimpact Practices, the student life office should be supportive of these programs. More learning-based programs and events
there are many opportunities for student activities offices to present entertaining educational programs.
There are a vast number of entertaining speakers, films, comedians, spoken word artists and more. Student activities can truly be co-curricular
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Create student learning outcomes for all programs and events It isn’t difficult to demonstrate the contribution of activities and programs to the educational mission of the campus. Create a culture of engagement Requiring ID card swipes to attend events is not unusual. Take it a step further and have students respond to assessment surveys when they attend events.
By making it a positive experience, recruiting champions to make assessment the norm, and providing positive reinforcement (rewards) can all generate a culture of engagement.
Embrace your role as an educator on campus Remember “Learning Reconsidered” and understand that your contribution to student development is vital. Don’t neglect your job as a teacher. Copyright by Del Suggs All rights reserved Del@DelSuggs.com www.DelSuggs.com
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FROM ENTERTAINER TO ENTREPRENEUR SAILESH JIAWAN’S JOURNEY TO HIS BREAK OUT YEAR
Sailesh Jiawan is one of the most prominent hypnotists serving the campus market and a close look at his world quickly reveals why. MTV Europe named him “The Best Hypnotist on the Planet.” “Inside Edition” said he is “the best on Earth.” He was named the 2014 “Hypnotist of the Year” by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities and he just pulled down a huge win for Campus Activities Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award’s “Entertainer of the Year.” “This is my Oscar,” he says. “This is the award I have had my eye set on through four nominations. I was starting to think it 10 #APCACLT
was going to be my great white whale,” he says laughing. He has performed in 19 countries over the course of 22 years, amassing a collection of over 5,000 shows under his belt. His gracious manner, quick wit, and mysterious appeal coupled with his innovative and action-packed performance brew a formula that is tried and tested in the campus market. He continually keeps his show fresh and updated, not only with music that is current and popular with college age crowds, but also with continually evolving routines that keep shows engaging
even for audiences who have seem him before. “An example is the super-hero craze that we have undergone in the last several years. The volunteers love getting to be their favorite hero, or to make up a completely new one. The crowd is just as excited because it is a topic they connect with and love.”
been 22 years, and it is very gratifying to come back to many of the same venues year after year. I have tons of re-bookings, which has been amazing. I have been going to some of the same venues for 15 plus years. I have been able to create an amazing fan base. I often perform orientation shows and it’s not uncommon for 200-400 extra students to show up and join the freshmen watching the show.”
The show is VERY
The show is very fastpaced, high energy and exciting. “There is music throughout the entire show, which I use to bring up and down the energy level as we progress through it. It’s something that is constantly tweaked and updated so that I know students will always recognize the musical scores and be more comfortable with the environment. I keep up with things in the campus culture and adapt to it and always try to keep the show in the here and now. Keeping the music updated is a big part of that, as is consistently creating new skits.”
FAST-PACED, HIGH ENERGY and EXCITING. “There
Not content to simply bask in the limelight of the stage, Sailesh has also taken his considerable level of talent and personality to try and make a real difference in the world, in more ways than one. A portion of every show he books at his standard rate is donated to charity. His favorite program is called Vitamin Angels, a non-profit that has taken on the responsibility of providing life-saving vitamins to children in poverty stricken countries. With each show he contributes enough to provide 1,000 children with these essential nutrients for one year. In addition, he works with subjects on a therapeutic basis as well. He is a certified hypnotherapist, and works with students and others in the areas of focus, memory, sleep patterns, stress management and more. He even incorporates this into the booking aspect of his show, offering combinations of entertainment shows with day-time educational and motivational presentations.
is music throughout, which I use to bring the energy level up and down...”
One unique aspect of his show is that it can be configured and formatted to various audiences, this is not a one-sizefits-all performance. “I can customize my show to fit formats from G to PG to R to completely uncensored, depending on the preferences of the school that night. I do a lot of research and consulting with the venues to make sure they are going to get exactly what they want and expect.” Perhaps this is a skill developed from necessity, as he has one of the highest rebooking rates in the market. “It has
His ability to take a step back from being an entertainer and grasp the wider implications of the work he does has 11 #APCACLT
led him to not only inspire students, but to be an inspiration and leader to other artists as well. In 2004, Sailesh decided to take his knowledge as an entertainer and his experience in the market as a businessman and start his own agency. Metropolis Management was born, and since has become a wellknown boutique agency in the campus entertainment marketplace. The transition of splitting his attention between his career and the developing careers of other artists was a challenging adjustment at first. “It is difficult and fun at the same time. Taking my experiences as an artist and offering the services that I think artists deserve has always been my top priority. I have always been a very artist-friendly company and I think that builds a level of trust and accountability that benefits our campus clients.” The company has expanded respectably since its inception but it has been a controlled growth. “It started as a way to help out friends who were artists without an agency, but didn’t have the money to afford the overhead costs of attending all the conferences. We became a company of artists representing artists at first. The support and help of his wife (Joyce), who gave up her career at Stanford University, has helped the expansion and vision of the company. “Joyce is the foundation of Metropolis and my biggest fan. We now have 5 agents and three administrators,” he says. Experience in the market, working in a place they could call home, was an important criteria in MM’s expansion and as such, three employees are former advisors and 2 are former student programmers. “I work as an agent as well, but really the entire roster and company is a family. All of 12 #APCACLT
our artists push our other artists; clients know they can count on any artist on our roster meeting and exceeding their expectations.” Sailesh has set a high standard for the brand. Being known as one of the best hypnotists in the business means that Metropolis Management has to be able to offer other high quality acts to meet the bar. “It has been so important for us to maintain a roster of only the best and we tell all of our artists that our company and product is only as good as the last artist we send to a venue. The most important thing for me has always been to not only have great talent, but great people who love what they are doing while delivering that talent. When they perform, they under-promise and overdeliver. They create that friendship and bond with their audiences and the folks who are working behind the scenes to get them on and off campus.” Metropolis has formed some exciting new relationships in the past year, including a partnership with The Dating Doctor, David Coleman, and the incredible magician Norman Ng. They have a wide variety of talent to offer, from music, comedy, variety, speakers and more. If you are looking for hypnosis on campus, “sleep with the best.” Check out more about Sailesh at www.sailesh.ca and if you are seeking out other great talent, check out the roster of Metropolis Management at www.metropolismanagement.com
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10 Tips to Help You Stay Sharp This Summer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Keep a summer journal- this will keep your mind clear all summer long. Daily reading- exercise your mind and imagination by picking up a good book for a few minutes each day. Maintain a routine- create a set schedule for yourself each day. This makes going back to school a breeze! Create or fine-tune your resume- use the down time to really put some time and effort into your resume. Volunteer or intern at an organization that is in your field or one that you find interesting. Exercise- take a break from Netflix a couple of times each week to walk, ride a bike, play basketball with friends, or even go dancing. Sleep- not only is this a good time to recuperate and get some much-needed rest, but you can actually match your sleep schedule to the upcoming semester to make the transition smoother.
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Learn something new everyday- pick up the daily newspaper or add a new word to your vocabulary.
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Keep a calendar- even during breaks, this keeps you alert and focused. Stay social! #APCACLT
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A COLLEGE ROAD MAP TO SUCCESS
By Olivia Williams
Stepping through the doors of your first class, cracking open your first textbook, and writing your first paper are huge steps in your journey to college graduation. At any point throughout your college experience, it will be very easy to lose track of your destination, which is why every student needs a road map when going to college. The road map will guide you every step of the way and teach you how to fully invest yourself in order to succeed with flying colors.
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Avoid Becoming Just another Statistic
All students need both a clear destination and a plan on how to get to that destination. Without these, college may feel similar to high school, where students go because they have to, and not because they want to. This mindset can easily cause some students to fail or drop out, but fortunately, these instances can also certainly be avoided.
The retention rates in the U.S. vary among different schools, but they do have one thing in common – the lowest retention rates are among freshmen. Furthermore, only 46% of students complete college once they start. That means less than half of all freshmen actually graduate! Those students that do end up graduating do not all necessarily get jobs within their desired fields. In fact, an enormous 60% of students who graduate from college cannot find a job within their field. This proves that many degrees and a vast amount of skills are going to waste, simply due to a lack of direction and planning.
THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF A ROAD MAP If you wish to
DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT WITH YOUR LIFE and get a job that you will enjoy, you will greatly benefit from a carefully constructed plan or strategy that focuses on how to navigate yourself during your college life.
A SOLUTION
by Olivia Williams
Olivia Williams is the founder of Kampus Insights, Inc. This company was established in 2011 in order to guide students through the college experience and encourage them to define a clear destination. Freshmen orientation programs are the company’s specialty, while Williams focuses on providing students with the necessary skills to reach their goals.
KAMPUS INSIGHTS to the Max
Olivia Williams has published a book, Kampus Insights to the Max: A 5 Year Plan for College Success, which can be found on Amazon. This book is designed to give students a five year game plan on how to get what most students don’t get either in their first semester or their last semester.
It is easier than ever to soar above your peers, as the book
gives insight on how to do exactly that. Instead of trying to figure it out for yourself, you now have an expert to guide you through it step by step.
This may sound complicated to create, but all it really requires is some practical advice or a guide on how to complete the process.
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GREETINGS FROM THE GREAT NORTHWEST! by Kim Jackson
Anyone who attends these REGIONAL CONFERENCES RECEIVES such
HIGH LEVEL LEADERSHIP TRAINING, as well as
PURPOSEFUL PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES. 18
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I was first introduced to APCA through attending an advisor training, way back in the day. I was so impressed with both the knowledge I took away from that conference, as well as how accepted and appreciated I felt by the entire APCA staff and facilitators. Little did I know that several years down the road, I would become a Regional Area Coordinator for the Western States Region. I have the opportunity to work as the Student Programs Director at Big Bend Community College, which is a very small community college, located in the mid-eastern of the state of Washington. When I have brought my student leaders with me to regional conferences, whether it was in the north east or the south, my students were treated as though they came from a major university. They immediately felt a part of APCA and fully participated in the events and programs that APCA offered. Anyone who attends these regional conferences receives such high level leadership training, as well as purposeful programming opportunities. Just in the past few years BBCC has brought great leadership training opportunities to our school by hosting such great names as Del Suggs, David Coleman, Tom Krieglstein, Bobby Audley and Ryan Penneau. Both students, staff and admin-
istration have been impressed with their high quality presentations. Many on my campus have asked how I locate such great facilitators. I smile and the first words that come to mind are “APCA, Baby!� I wanted other colleges in my area to have these same experiences, so I whole heartedly accepted the opportunity to serve APCA by becoming a RAC. Through this experience I have been able to reach out to other schools and share the APCA opportunities. As advisors, we certainly know what it takes to put together a successful campus event. APCA
...having gotten a little closer insight into the operations of APCA,
I AM TOTALLY AMAZED at how they are able to
SUCCESSFULLY CREATE and FACILITATE
FANTASTIC REGIONAL and NATIONAL CONFERENCES,
year after year!
regional conferences are no different. All of the pre-conference logistics as well as putting out those last minute fires during the events can be very stressful and draining. However, having gotten a little closer insight into the operations of APCA, I am totally amazed at how they are able to successfully create and facilitate fantastic regional and national conferences, year after year! I cannot help but feel the love and support from both the APCA staff, as well as the other schools participating in these conferences. My experience as a RAC has been a rewarding one. Even though all of us as advisors have more than enough on our plates to deal with every day, if you have a chance to volunteer and help APCA grow within your area, I encourage you to do so!
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WOULD YOU WEAR A SUPERMAN COSTUME ON CAMPUS? by Tom Kreiglestein
A few times a week, Mark Wyzenbeek of Auburn, Washington dresses up in a perfectly handcrafted Superman costume and goes about his daily routine. He fills up his car with gas. He goes to the local bar. He buys milk. Mark follows a pretty normal routine, except he wears his Superman costume. In his words: “You can go into a bar and be a fly on the wall and look and watch what everyone else is doing and be yourself and not really have to interact with a lot of people. You can turn around and go into that same place with a costume on and everyone just has to interact with you.” Mark originally started dressing as Superman after his wife suddenly died in a tragic car accident. For him, dressing up is one-third homage to his wife, another third indulgence of his comic book fandom, and the last third for the reaction from and joy he brings to others. “As soon as someone sees you, you know their day is going to be different. They have a story to tell.” Mark’s hobby of dressing up highlights four key rules we should all follow when trying to engage the dis-engaged on our campus. 20
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RULE #1 – Bring It To Them: Mark doesn’t sit at home with his Superman outfit; instead he goes to where the largest number of people is trafficking in his town. The dis-engaged on your campus won’t come to you—you have to go to them. RULE #2 – Positive Reaction: Mark admits that some people do make comments that could be taken as a jab. He says his response is to always respond with kindness. In the end, Mark says even the toughest of critics have turned around and given him a hug, smile, or thanks. RULE #3 – Connect The Dots: Mark isn’t trying to “be the big event,” rather he’s taking situations that most people take for granted, like filling up on gas, and creating an experience out of it for others to remember. He’s putting a smile on the faces of others in what would otherwise be normal daily moments. Most of the time, your students on campus aren’t at your big event, rather they are engaged in their daily routine. Campus leaders should fill the calendar between the big events to engage the dis-engaged.
Authenticity is the key to being taken seriously.
The dis-engaged on your campus won’t come to you— you have to go to them.
RULE #4 – It’s Cheap: Mark handmade his costume. The financial cost for him to wear his costume and change the day for hundreds of people is very nominal. Mark, however, is very clear that low cost shouldn’t mean low quality. If you are going to commit to hosting a low cost event on your campus, don’t let low cost equal low quality. “Authenticity is the key to being taken seriously. If it weren’t 100%, I’d be letting down the costume. I’d be letting down the people looking at it.” One final lesson of Mark’s story that every campus leader could take away is that he approached his activity with vulnerability and passion. He’s not blind to the fact that wearing a Superman costume isn’t normal. He is, however, willing to be vulnerable to give others a positive moment in their otherwise boring day.
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800.681.5031
Your Campus Life Budget has been CUT!
www.apca.com
Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities
NOTICE:
Many programmers have nowhere to turn when they read this announcement. But if you’re like hundreds of other progressive thinking APCA student life advisors, you’ll know exactly what resource to use to combat this problem.
Who is APCA?
The Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities specializes in low and no cost programming for campus life. Our mission is to help student life departments with limited resources make more of an impact on their campuses. APCA is a staunch advocate of purposeful programming that incorporates meaningful, assessable learning outcomes that can improve retention levels on your campus.
Why should I participate in APCA? Devel-
opment! We will keep you up to date on the latest professional development trends and student theory, organize and motivate your student boards and give you the resources to stretch your programming dollars. Our workshops and campus event programming conferences feature nationally known student life theorists and cost saving programs to keep your budget under control.
PREVIOUS KEYNOTE PRESENTERS
Dr. Vincent Tinto Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University, Former Chair of the Higher Education Program, Author of Leaving College and Completing College
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Dr. Gwen Dungy Executive Director of NASPA from 1995-2012
Dr. Connie Boronot Director of Assessment and Evaluation for Dr. George Kuh Student Affairs and Indiana University Undergraduate Chancellor’s Professor Education at Florida Emeritus and Director International University
How does APCA help my budget? We bring val-
ue! APCA membership fees are the lowest by far in the marketplace, at only $299 per year. That fee covers every club and student organization on your campus. Our value packed conference fees also include 4 hot meals, student life educational sessions for advisors and students, showcases, conference swag and access to all conference events. If you program campus activities events or facilitate professional or student development programs, we will help you stretch your dollars!
Who else has tried APCA? APCA has been serving the college marketplace with cutting edge campus activities resources and training for over 20 years: “APCA: Friendly, Family, Affordable and Fun. The staff is professional and genuinely appreciative of school members. They offer quality programming, seasoned educational speakers and affordable conferences to schools of all sizes. Our students enjoy their experiences with APCA and call APCA family!” Yonna Pasch, Director of Student Activities - Northwestern State University “I cannot describe how excited my students are every year for the APCA Conference. With the discounts that we get from the Co-op buying process, we are able to save enough money to pay for the entire conference experience. Beyond that, however, it’s great to be able to work with the other schools in our area in a synergistic way. My students have developed great relationships with their peers at other schools as a result of the experience.” Jeff Foote, Director of Student Life - SUNY Cobleskill “I would encourage all colleges to attend APCA. It’s worth every penny! The staff are extremely friendly and make everyone feel a part of the APCA family. APCA is a great opportunity to see very talented performers from all walks of life and block booking helps to place them in a price range that we can afford.” Nancy Agan, Director of Student Life - Corning Community College
Not happy with your APCA experience? Money back guarantee! All APCA event delegate fees come with a
money-back guarantee of satisfaction. If for any reason you are unsatisfied, by the end of the first day of the event, simply return your conference materials and request a refund of your fees. All fees, minus your prepaid meal costs, will be returned to your school after the event. APCA is the only campus activities conference system to guarantee your delegation a positive experience!
APCA – the most value in the campus activities market! APCA is
the best decision you can make to further your professional and student development. We ensure the best value for your event programming dollars, and have a long track record of success. Our event experiences are guaranteed, with an excellent reputation for consistently exceeding our delegates expectations. Contact us now to incorporate affordable, assessable and meaningful campus activities resources and training into your campus event programming!
www.apca.com
800.681.5031
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DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME YOU…? By Amiee Mueller
Have you noticed changes on campus? How do you navigate those changes and adapt to them so your events are still impactful and well attended? Here are some ideas to help you be a master of change and a creator of enriching experiences.
had to discuss the way to address an envelope. I was shocked she lacked this knowledge because she is a smart girl. Apparently, it’s just not as relevant to her world.
...it’s more important than ever that we continue to develop ourselves so we can adapt and seize new opportunities.
At the APCA Houston event, Dr. George Kuh said (according to the Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics), “Every year, 30 million Americans are working jobs that didn’t exist the previous year, and that the percentage of the workforce who are changing jobs in a given year is 33%.” Both are evidence that the world continues to change at an even faster pace than any time previous.
I hired an assistant recently—a junior in college—and I asked her to send some thank you cards. I found out she had never sent anything by postal mail. We 26 #APCACLT
As the world changes rapidly, the questions we need to ask ourselves are, “Will we change along with it or stand by wishing we didn’t have to?” and “How can we help our students navigate their ever-changing environments successfully?”
Important note: No matter the pace of progress around us, we still choose the pace of our own growth. CHANGE BEGINS WITH ONE PERSON When I think of the innovations in the last few decades, I’m reminded it’s more
important than ever that we continue to develop ourselves so we can adapt and seize new opportunities. The awe-inspiring part of history, to me, is every accomplishment began with one person or one idea. Other than time, nothing and no one moves forward without a person deciding to make progress. Changes in our environment are inevitable, but outside of aging, a person changes by choice. W. Clement Stone, a poor boy who sold newspapers at 6-yearsold, owned his own newsstand by 13-yearsold, and went on to be a self-made millionaire and subject of the autobiography The Success System That Never Fails, once said, “Little hinges swing big doors.”
nizes changes on your campus, but who also leads the charge in innovating to adapt to those changes. THE POWER OF FIRSTS Brendon Burchard said, “After peering into thousands of people’s brains with advanced imaging machines such as the MRI, neuroscientists have concluded that the brain is hardwired to seek and enjoy novelty and challenge. Your brain becomes much more activated when something novel (new) or challenging occurs. It also releases dopamine and energizes your brain to go into ‘let’s figure this out’ mode. And an engaged brain is a happy brain.”
If you’re aiming for something you have yet to
EXPERIENCE, then you’ll be going for a first.
My interpretation: small changes can yield large results. It’s exciting that you can lead others through change and set the example for growth. You could be the person with that next idea that transforms your campus or helps students be successful. What is one change or innovative idea you can implement in your programming? Don’t feel like you are an innovative person? There are many ways to source ideas including talking with fellow programmers—on campus and on other campuses. When’s the last time you had a conversation with someone from another school? Important note: You can be the person who not only recog-
In addition to the positive neuroscience behind it, doing things for the first time is both exciting and memorable. Do you remember your first kiss? Without a doubt. Do you remember your thirtieth? Probably not. Do you remember your first time on a roller coaster? Your first public speech? A child’s first word? I’ve found the most fun strategy, and the one most magnetic to others, is to create a plan to have firsts. If you’re aiming for something you have yet to experience, then you’ll be going for a first. Will it be the first time you’ve been the lead on a class project? The first time you attend a campus function? The first time you take a fitness class? The first time you defuse a nuclear weapon with only three seconds left on the timer? You haven’t done 27 #APCACLT
that yet? Take your first drama class and maybe you’ll get your chance. What firsts are you giving the students on your campus? Maybe creating that memorable, first-time experience will give them more reason to show up to the next first-time experience you offer or motivate them to get involved at a greater level. Managing a team of more than 80 members and weekly team meetings, was one of my favorite aspects of my first company. To foster team bonding, to create an environment they’d be a part of by choice rather than obligation, and to enjoy my own work more, I also ran weekly team events. The event followed the meeting and was never mandatory. Because every week was some new, crazy activity they had never heard of or taken part in before, we had 80% or more of our team join us for those events. To give you an example of some of these activities, they included: Dog Bone Baseball, Spaghetti Dots, Bigger and Better, Photo Road Rallies, Play Doh Wars, Mingle Bingo, Wishing Well, Company Family Feud and many others (email me and I’ll send you a PDF of Team Activities with descriptions). Most weeks, our members were doing something they had never done before, so they were constantly getting the thrill of new experiences. We had a great team and I credit a lot of our great culture and success to those fun experiences we had together. Important note: Create new experiences for your people and you’ll be enriching their lives and fostering retention. This means you can also create change. 28 #APCACLT
Dr. Kuh also shared with us just how crucial student involvement in activities outside of classes is to their overall success. I’m sure it’s no surprise to you that it takes a whole campus to educate a student and how important it is that students attend activities on campus. In Summary 1. Things will continue to change. We have to learn to adapt and seize the new opportunities it brings. In fact, in some cases, we can lead the change. 2. If our campus is getting lackluster activity results, it may be up to us to instigate innovation. Innovation begins with one person. That person can be you or someone on, or connected to, your programming board. Old ideas or tasks implemented in a new way can still be innovative and effective. Have you thought about doing a new program on campus or promoting a repeated program in a new way, but since it’s in the land of the unknown, you’re hesitant? Will students show up? Will they like it? Just remember, the fact that it is new may be a little boost to help it be successful. Even if only because your board gets to work on a new project and that rekindles their own fires of promotion and effort, the novelty may be just what you need. Do not fear the unknown. Embrace it as an enhancement to programming.
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Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities PO Box 4340 Sevierville, TN 37864