A Pathway to Progress from the NASPA Western Regional

November 16 2010, 11:10am

Just as life is a journey, it also offers many paths that shape our course and create the experiences that make us who we are. That is why Progressive Pathways was an excellent umbrella for the collective thinking and sharing of the NASPA Western Regional Conference to take place. The setting of Portland, Oregon was an allegory for the diversity and evolution of Student Affairs thinking. Its many species of trees all at different stages of change–from stalwart evergreens to some just starting to turn and finally those erupting in bright shades of red and orange. One of the most revolutionary thoughts came from James Donnelly of Azusa Pacific University with his twist on a classic saying. “If it’s worth doing, its worth doing wrong” feels counterintuitive, however it magnifies how we can sometimes get caught up in detail, process and “analysis paralysis” instead of acting on an idea. It doesn’t have to be perfect from the beginning—it’s OK to course correct as we learn. In other words, while you’re busy thinking, students are waiting. He was specifically referencing struggles with engaging commuter students, which had many in the room nodding in agreement. However, he embarked on commuter-specific research and found that at APU commuter students did feel engaged—academically. His study revealed that they saw their school experience as “I’m here for a purpose” which was driven by everything from their first generation student status to transferring in from a school with little in the way of student life to work and family demands. In response, James was able to focus on when the commuter segment was flowing onto campus and show the University’s availability and support then versus planning activities and events outside of that window. Weekly informal extended breakfasts allowed them to make a connection with their school and each other without creating an added demand on their time. He even went mobile by setting up a makeshift office in the Commuter Parking Lot—literally bringing progress to their “pathway” onto campus! So draw inspiration from James and start acting vs. overthinking. The students are waiting.