Supporting Students: Pause, Plan, Persist
The experience of a global pandemic and the shift to online learning has brought with it new challenges for students and the staff who support them. This webinar presents a three-step approach to supporting your students with a focus on pausing, planning, and persisting during uncertain times. Participants review the key attributes of a successful online student and discuss techniques to help struggling students see a path forward.
Learning Outcomes:
- Discuss the three-step approach of pausing, planning, and persisting and how it ties into student relationships
- Review what actions and behaviors are associated with successful online students.
- Discuss the stages of change and review coaching strategies to assist students overcome objections within each stage.
Laura Corddry is the associate vice president of student experience at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Her role includes oversight of the Office of Dispute Resolution and Student Conduct, Workforce Management and Contact Center Operations, the Office of Online Engagement, student experience support services, SNHU’s Advantage Program, employee engagement, and the learning and development team that supports all student experience staff. In addition, Laura co-chairs the risk assessment team, and leads the employee engagement squad for the online division of SNHU. Laura’s bachelor’s degree is in human services with a minor in counseling from Lesley University, and her master’s degree is in higher education administration with a specialization in planning and policy from UMass Lowell. Laura has spent most of her career in higher education, including roles at Lesley University, Pine Manor College, and UMass Lowell. When her children were very young, she took a brief sabbatical from higher education and worked as a floral designer and as a contractor for the Department of Public Health. When not at work, Laura enjoys spending time outdoors in the summer, watching the Bravo Network, hunting for treasures in local thrift shops and flea markets, planning her next vacation getaway, or hanging out with family and friends.
Julie Sughrue is a learning facilitator for the learning and development team at Southern New Hampshire University. In her role, she provides engaging and high-quality learning experiences for newly hired team members, experienced staff members, and leaders across all student-facing teams. Some of Julie’s specialties include soft skill development, informal leadership development, and employee empowerment. Julie’s bachelor’s degree is in nutritional sciences from the University of New Hampshire, and she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in communication from SNHU. Julie has always enjoyed teaching and interacting with classroom participants. Prior to her role with SNHU, Julie worked for several years as a registered dietitian for the New Hampshire Food Bank and taught healthy cooking classes for low income audiences throughout the state. When not at work, Julie enjoys spending time with her family, experimenting in the kitchen, and has recently taken up gardening (though she hasn’t grown anything consumable yet).
Katelyn O’Clair is a learning facilitator on the learning and development team at Southern New Hampshire University. As a facilitator, she aims to provide an experience for her learners that is engaging, positive, and impactful, and she makes a conscious effort to bring her authentic self to each session to create a safe space for staff. Her specialties include soft skill development, informal leadership development, technology deployment, and bringing fun into her classrooms. Katelyn’s main audiences include newly hired employees, experienced staff members, and leadership across SNHU’s student experience teams for the Manchester, NH location. She also helped launch and provide continued training for SNHU’s Tucson, AZ location. Katelyn received her bachelor’s degree in sociology with concentrations in environmental studies and biology from Keene State College and received her master’s degree in communication from SNHU. Katelyn runs a small calligraphy business with a focus on wedding clientele. She uses the same authenticity and professionalism she has in the classroom to understand the needs of each couple to make the details of their celebrations as unique as they are. When not at work or doing calligraphy, Katelyn enjoys running outdoors, finding a new binge-worthy series to watch on Netflix, taking trips to the beach, adventuring to new restaurants, and spending time with friends and loved ones.
Please Note:
Only those attending the LIVE webinar will receive a certificate of attendance. Thank you!
I thought this webinar was timely with so many changes happening at our colleges and in our schools. To have the opportunity to reach students and help them to make decisions that work for them is what I strive to do daily. The webinar gave me many things to think about – Am I discussing Roadblocks before they happen? Am I helping students to understand their successful and not successful behaviors? How am I sharing with other staff/faculty how I am working with the student, so the student does not have to repeat their story every time they are looking for guidance?
Being present and actively listening to both our students and our colleagues will better help us address the issue of student engagement during this era.
Patience and persistence will serve us well as we work with students. There is no one size fits all solution. Every student has unique issues they are coping with in the COVID-19 era.
– Brian Roberts
This was a very beneficial topic! I have found it more difficult to engage online compared to in the classroom. Prior to or after the on-ground classes, it is very important to be listening. They will sometimes give a 1 sentence statement that we need to grab and to unpack and get some more details. Many times this 1 sentence is a significant reason why their performance level and grades have changed. Persistence is important for the virtual and on-ground students if we see changes in their performance or if we see that they are not doing the required elements of the course.
This webinar provided great information that can be utilized by all in an effort to help our students in these uncertain times. Pause, Plan, and Persist definitely the necessary steps moving forward! Thanks for sharing this awesome resource!
-Shanan Glenn, Student Success Coordinator, Augusta Technical College
This was a very beneficial topic! I have found it more difficult to engage online compared to in the classroom. Prior to or after the on-ground classes, it is very important to be listening. They will sometimes give a 1 sentence statement that we need to grab and to unpack and get some more details. Many times this 1 sentence is a significant reason why their performance level and grades have changed. Persistence is important for the virtual and on-ground students if we see changes in their performance or if we see that they are not doing the required elements of the course.
Jim Scogin, Math Instructor, ASLSPS, Augusta Technical College
I was very surprised by how many of the procedures discussed in this presentation could be used equally well by instructors who are striving to support and encourage their students.
I love being proactive and will definitely start working to help my all my students anticipate roadblocks. This is the major reason why I always make them aware of the demanding course requirements of ACCT 1100 Financial Accounting I by emailing them a course syllabus and detailed assignment sheet well before Day One of the course. I have found that it makes a huge difference. The students really appreciate knowing what to expect prior to beginning the class.
Great presentation.
Dr. Vicki D. Vandervelde – Business Division
It is very important to be present in courses and aware of the changing needs of students. Identifying needs and effectively planning for them is critical to student success especially in these challenging times.
LeAnne M. Lovering, Augusta Technical College
As the Disability Services Counselor on campus I am always assisting my students with success plans. This was great information. I really enjoyed the presentation.
Karissa Wright
Counseling Center
I think students who are engaged by instructors always fare better in class as it allows the instructor to point out student services that may benefit a student.
Beverly Peltier
Augusta Technical College
Great reminder that everything is an opportunity to help students! I appreciate the opportunity to write down thoughts during this webinar on how we can help students. A concrete plan and suggestion can help a student put their goals into action!
Julie Langham, Augusta Technical College
There is really helpful advice here. Thanks.
Margaret Kierath, Columbia County Center
This webinar provided good information. Communication and engagement with students is the key to success.
J Carter
Student support and open communication must be intentional if students are going to succeed. This includes seamless access to academic and socioeconomic support.
Colleges must allow students to utilize their voices and be open to wins and the opportunities to change their programs and processes. For some students, a one size fits all support plan, may not work. Faculty and staff must be willing to tailor support to fit the unique needs of individual students.
I agree with the presenter. We must increase employee efficiency. Wasted time can not be recovered.
Everyone’s ultimate goal must be to the good of the student. When students win, we all win!
Ms. Tangela N. Smalls, Augusta Technical College
Online courses can be frustrating if you are having trouble finding or submitting information. I honestly believe that a technology contact should also be available for first time online students to assist with those technology issues that instructors may not be prepared to answer. The sooner a problem is resolved; the better the student feels moving forward.
Kim McCord
Lots of great information to help students with online classes. Online can be extra challenging and with this information we can help the students be successful.
Karen Hughes