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One day a community college administrator was walking to a college event that was promoting student development at the college. The administrator saw a student seated at a table working on some homework. The administrator called out to the student and asked, “How do I get to the student development event?” The student thought for a moment and said, “If I was going to the student development event I wouldn’t start there.”
So where is common ground in our efforts to promote and advance the success of students?
It begins with a belief that every professional on campus counts. There exist no “different sides of the house,” a notion many professionals in community colleges adhere to in their conversations with each other and with students (this side of the house versus that side of the house).
Seeking Common Ground
Students are looking for a home, not a house of divided sides. They are the beneficiaries of our collective labor and are seeking common ground of treatments for themselves to support them and other students as they achieve their dreams and hopes—all of which are dependent on how well professionals have integrated their professional “presents.”
In short the common TASK of student services and instructional services is “STUDENT DEVELOPMENT.”
Setting the Tone
Setting the tone for the Common Ground of student development falls on the vice presidents of instruction and student services. If their relationship is sour, not much will be done to encourage student development in an integrated approach. If their relationship is friendly, and built on “party lines”(this side of the house versus that side of the house) there will be instances of collaboration that produce moments of student development.
If the vice presidents are truly committed to student development, they will exemplify in their daily work the development of students to be their common task.
How will you see this commitment?
The vice presidents will co-chair the deans council. They will co-chair the enrollment management team. They will attend academic senate meetings together. They will develop college wide letters together. They will work on all dimensions of student recruitment and student retention together. They will each make office calls to all deans throughout the semester. They will attend meetings of student government and of course attend board of trustees and president’s cabinet together. The office of research will be shared as projects must address campus-wide needs.
Solid Trust
Underlying this is solid trust between the vice presidents and a lot of give and take. There are unique responsibilities that reside with each vice president such as accreditation liaison, student discipline, personnel issues, etc. Yet even these issues have common ground for both vice presidents.
Trust is a key ingredient as well as a healthy respect for other points of view. Egos are big in higher education and prevent little collaboration and few opportunities that advance and promote student development.
Silos are in service at many community colleges today. Maintenance of these silos and related boundaries become more important to administrators than the service of student development. Silos allow administrators to divide the college into sides, which frankly cause hurt to students as huge amounts of energy are lost between warring professional factions in the college.
By keeping students at the heart of our common artwork, their development will have a chance.
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