Humanizing Academic Advising: The Ted Lasso Effect
Let’s be honest: academic advising can sometimes feel more like a rushed transaction than a meaningful conversation. Advisors are juggling impossibly high student-to-advisor ratios, training is all over the place, and too often, compliance takes precedence over actual student development. What should be a formative and inspiring experience for students sometimes ends up as nothing more than a logistical checkpoint.
Beyond the Emerald City: Essential Skills and General Education Matter in Higher Education
Today's students might not need to fly on a broomstick or lead an army of flying monkeys, but they do need to navigate complex work environments, solve unpredictable challenges, and collaborate with people from all walks of life. A well-rounded education doesn’t just prepare students for a single job; it equips them with the broader skills they’ll need to apply their expertise in meaningful ways.
Perfecting Program Learning Outcomes: A Recipe for Success
The journey to developing effective program learning outcomes can seem daunting at first, much like trying to perfect your first recipe. However, with careful thought, clear definitions, thorough research, aligned outcomes, expert input, and continuous feedback—you can create a robust framework that supports student success.
Embracing Empathetic Curriculum Design
Some have defined practicing empathy as being “too nice.” To those critics, I would clarify that empathetic leadership—active listening, emotional intelligence, compassion, open communication, support, development, and inclusivity—is not a liability; it’s a superpower, and one that is particularly synergistic in curriculum design.