Take-Aways

One of my strengths is learning. I don’t confine my curiosity to any one field. I love learning about all kinds of things, and I have a habit of taking a lot of notes in order to reflect on what I’ve read or heard. Unfortunately, my handwriting is almost illegible, so I miss a lot of the content of what I’ve read or heard because I can’t decipher my own handwriting. When I review my notes, I feel as if I’ve accomplished something if I can decipher enough of my handwriting to glean at least one take-away.

The following are take-aways from a few of the webinars, podcasts, editorials, and random readings I engaged with between April 2018 and June 2020:

• 41% of all undergraduates attend community colleges and there are fewer community colleges today than there were 20 years ago.
  “Social Justice Summit: Advocacy, Access, and Engaging Equity in Community Colleges,” Western Illinois University, Webinar – Moderator: Laila McCloud; Speaker: Eboni M. Zamali-Gallagher, Director, University of Illinois Office of Community College Research and Leadership (June 9, 2020)

• “A society not grounded in ethics, self-reflection, empathy, and beauty is one that has lost its way.” (Brian Rosenberg, 17 years as President of Macalester College)
  “The End of College as We Knew It.” Frank Bruni, The New York Times Opinion Piece (June 4, 2020)

• Do assessments, consider the context, address multiple identities, and determine who the interventions serve.
  “The Upended Student Life Cycles-How Student Affairs Can Serve Students in a Chaotic Time,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, Webinar – Host: Ian Wilhelm, editor; Speakers: Nancy Young, Vice President, Student Affairs, University of Maryland Baltimore County; Christie Kracker, Dean of Students and Campus Life, Susquehanna University. (May 29, 2020)

• Gamification is everywhere; you just don’t think about it. It uses game-inspired tools rooted in psychology (motivators, fun) to influence behavior.
  “What is Gamification?” Eric Myers, Mindspace-The Creative Learning Agency, ATD Monthly Webinar (April 27, 2020)

• MOVE, EAT, RECOVER. What’s one step I will take to move, eat, and recover more effectively?
  “Healthy Living for Busy Professionals.” Tyrone Holmes, ATD Monthly Webinar (March 26, 2020)

• Expect people to learn and grow; don’t freeze-frame others. Meet people where they are and scaffold the learning.
  “Dynamics of White Privilege,” Kathy Obear, Founder/Director, The Center for Transformation and Change, Webinar (November 8, 2019)

• The interpersonal level is not enough. We must scan the environment with trifocals and analyze our organizations at all three levels: interpersonal, group, and organization.
  “Recognizing and Interrupting Racism in Your Organization: Our Role as White Allies and Change Agents,” Kathy Obear, Founder/Director, The Center for Transformation and Change, Webinar (October 2, 2019)

• Each election becomes a way people measure their self-esteem. When their party loses, all of their identities lose. If your group does well, you feel better.
  “The Age of ‘Mega-Identity’ Politics,” The Ezra Klein Show, Podcast (April 30, 2018)