From Bench to MVP

UNC Asheville embark OrientationPresenter: Stephanie Watkins-Cruz

• Participants will analyze and reflect on their program structure, and current leadership opportunities.

• Participants will explore ways to implement a strategic team structure in order to encourage the creation of student leadership opportunities.

Learning Goals

ABSTRACT

Creating student leadership opportunities within a team setting is difficult.

Using components such as : upward mobility, appropriate levels of challenge and support, delegation, and

empowerment…

This presentation will discuss how to build and develop great student leaders via the implementation of these components.

Challenge & SupportDr. Newitt Sanford (1962) Upward Mobility

This presentation: Upward Mobility

signifies the moving through the team

structure, rising from one position to the

next.

Challenge – a step that pushes a learner to acquire new growth.

Support- an environment conducive to student exploration in a safe & encouraging

way.

Ensuring that most, if not all roles can do BOTH

Empowerment & DelegationAn intentional, ongoing process,

centered in the local community

involving mutual respect, critical

reflection, caring and group-

participation/decision making

(Friere 1968)

• Can be used to show trust or confidence in someone.

• Can be used to enhance the commitment of individuals receiving the work.

• Can be used to encourage personal mastery of experiences.

Empowered Delegation (Mishra 1992 and Gabetta 1988)

UNC Asheville embark Line-Up

3 Professional Staff

20 Students

*varies year to year*

What does YOUR team look like?

Why is structure important? – Upward Mobility & Empowerment

1. Expands our service and support to incoming students and families.2. Simultaneously provides additional opportunities for leadership skill

development within the Blue Crew.3. Facilitates Blue Crew to be invested in their work (crossover into

empowerment)

Without upward mobility in the program:• Stagnant/Stunted Leadership Development• Miss out on opportunities to improve our outreach efforts• Hinders our ability to respond to the changing needs of incoming

students and families

2011-2012

Director

Orientation Leaders

Head OL Head OL

2012-2013

Director

Program Assistant

Head OL

Orientation Leaders

2013-2014

Director

Head Orientation Leader

Executive Council

Orientation Leaders

Program Assistant Program Assistant

2014-2015

Director

Orientation Programming

Supervisor

Head Orientation

Leader

Executive Council

Orientation Leaders

Program Assistant

Program Assistant

Executive Council– Upward Mobility, Delegation and Empowerment

Returning Blue Crew members have the opportunity to serve as Chairs on Executive Council.

• All members of the Blue Crew are surveyed about committee interest; assignments based on their responses• Provides opportunity to focus on their strengths/passions, which facilitates

empowerment• Preparing for SROW• Big Project little pieces = back-tasking

• Stipend increase acknowledges additional responsibilities

• All Returners serve as partners/mentors for new Blue Crew members for Campus Research Projects • One-on-one relationship further develops leadership skill set

Each player on the roster matters!

Role of the Blue Crew & Executive Council

Challenge & Support: Roles & Responsibilities

OL Programming Supervisor

Connect with and serve as resources for incoming students and families

Serve as ambassadors/recruiters/mentors for incoming students

Physically lead our incoming students and families through orientation sessions.

Head OL

Transition the Head OL

Develop New Programs

Assist with assessment data & results

Supervise the OLsDevelop Training ScheduleJobs Lists

Motivate, Mentor, &

Educate

Blue Crew Leadership Class: Challenge & Support

Challenge is in the Campus Project – Which allows them to develop their leadership style represented by

the outer ring.

Inner Ring represents the support given through knowledge in the 1st half of Spring Training.

Challenge & Support: Professional Staff

“Support through providing professional development opportunities”

“Being there in the one-on-one, teachable moments”

-Marianne Martinez

“…set a precedent… that they are capable of serving in these roles, and that they feel empowered to make decisions, think critically, and problem solve in their various positions”

– Lindsay Whitner

“…to develop every member of the embark Orientation Blue Crew into a competent, responsible student leader who models appropriate strategies and approaches for succeeding in higher education to their fellow peers. “

– Stephanie Franklin

The story of OL A

2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014

OL A served second term as Head Orientation Leader

2014-2015

OL A became Orientation Programming Supervisor

• Gained Communication Skills

• Gained Leadership Skills

• Developed Professional Skills

• Challenged to work in a team effectively.

• Gained Administrative Skills

• Further cultivated leadership skills

• Improved communication skills

• Learned elements of training, and leadership development

• Created the Executive Council

• Implemented creative training programs

• Increased participation and retention of OLs

• Further cultivated leadership & professionalism skills

OL A became the Head Orientation Leader

Became an Orientation Leader

• Led the transition of the new HOL and Executive Council

• Assists with survey data & assessment

• Developed a presentation for SROW

The story of OL B

2013-2014 2014-2015

OL B became an Orientation Leader

OL B became Head Orientation Leader

• Gained Communication Skills

• Gained Leadership Skills• Developed Professional

Skills• Challenged to work in a

team effectively.• Taught school spirit &

engagement as effective leadership tools

• Gained Administrative Skills

• Further cultivated leadership skills

• Challenged to lead peers.

• Assisted In the supervision of the Executive Council

• Engaged through professional development sessions

2015-2016

Expected2nd term as HOL

Believe me it works!

OL A OL B

What can YOU do to implement these concepts and create more student

leadership opportunities for your team?

Email: orient@unca.edu

Find us on the following social media formats:

: UNC Asheville embark Orientation

: @ OrientationUNCA

Stay in Touch!