Breakout Session 2 | 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
“Choosing What Really Matters: A Spiritually-Grounded Alternative to Transactional Living” | McKenna 204
Tami Schmitz, Elizabeth Thomas, University of Notre Dame
Strategy 1: Culture of Wellness, Strategy 4: Restorative Practices
Have you ever felt the pressure to live up to others’ expectations? To be perfect? To judge your worth on your performance? We invite you to consider another way of living. In a world constantly telling you who you should be, spiritual well-being is about remembering who you truly are. Building a lifestyle that is spiritually grounded can make a huge difference in your personal life and in your impact on others. Learn the difference it makes when you have a healthy spiritual core rooted in compassion, growth, reflection and integrity.
I Can Fix It (No Really I Can): Leading Through and After Crisis | McKenna 206
Meghan Luzader, Angel Bowers, North Carolina State University
Strategy 3: Reintegration Post Crisis
We learn who we are, as people and as leaders, in navigating difficult situations. Because crisis is inextricably linked to the work we do on a university campus, we plan and prepare, but must also acknowledge that the road map only goes so far. Preparedness needs to also include having a plan for supporting staff and residents in the days and months after a crisis, so that when you are emotionally charged or emotionally depleted, you are still able to move forward in a way that has in mind the vision of how you support those around you.
This session reviews strategies that are trauma-informed to provide leadership, empathy, support, and guidance to units after a crisis to rebuild struggling communities. We will discuss postvention practices from NC State University, impacts to University Housing staff training, data-informed decisions, and opportunities for support in the residential and campus community environments.
More Than Just a Scholarship: Creating a Program with a Mission-Based Identity | McKenna 207
Jennifer McNabb, Mount Mercy University
Strategy 1: Culture of Wellness
Interested in using your university’s mission to shape the work that you do with students and the ways in which you support them? In Fall 2023, Mount Mercy University redesigned the Catherine McAuley Scholarship into the McAuley Scholars program, a multi-year, renewable, need-based initiative. It provides financial support and connects students with staff and peer mentors to promote service, leadership, and career readiness. This new program strengthens funding, adds a community service component, and establishes a clear mission-based identity. This session will review the program’s structure, benefits, implementation, and the challenges faced along the way.
The Fearful Hippo Paid Attention: How to Use Accountability Conversations to Foster Betterment and Belonging | McKenna 205
Sweh Velilla, University of Notre Dame
Strategy 2: Early Intervention Tools
Few situations create awkwardness more than conversations in which supervisors must give corrections to employees. But when done in a healthy way, these conversations can actually lead to a greater sense of belonging. Employees who feel valued and are bought into the company’s vision feel happier, less stressed, and are more productive. In this session, learn one model of accountability conversation that can lead to this outcome.
Tools for Success | McKenna 202
Nathan Elliot, University of Notre Dame
Strategy 2: Early Intervention Tools, Strategy 3: Reintegration Post Crisis, Strategy 5: Dissemination and Sustainability
During the course of the grant, materials have been created to support the work of those across campus. The Step Care model supported students’ understanding of their own wellness and the resources available at their time of need. The Red Folder project invited staff and faculty stakeholders resources to be agents of wellness for students. Post-hospitalization toolkits have helped collaboration across areas to understand their role when a student returns to campus. This panel discussion will offer an overview of these materials, how they are used in practice, and how we intend these resources to live beyond the grant.