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In Defiance of Darwin. A Four-Year Model to Combat the Forces of Natural Selection and Encourage Persistence. The Old Story . Materialistic Elitist Fatalistic. Pfeiffer University. Private, four year liberal arts institution Affiliated with the United Methodist Church 3 Campuses
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In Defiance of Darwin A Four-Year Model to Combat the Forces of Natural Selection and Encourage Persistence
The Old Story • Materialistic • Elitist • Fatalistic
Pfeiffer University • Private, four year liberal arts institution • Affiliated with the United Methodist Church • 3 Campuses • 2,000 students from 28 states and 17 countries • Achieved re-accreditation this past spring
Our Old Model • Freshmen “Seminar” • 3 SH for Conditionally admits; 1SH for all others • Information-based • Tools for the toolbox e.g., study, time-mgt & test-taking strategies • One semester • Front-Loaded
Pfeiffer Journey • Is the name of the class that is embedded in the First Year Experience. • It is offered as a 2 SH class in the fall, or 201A • …and continues in the spring for 1SH, or 201B • In addition to Pfeiffer Journey we have introduced or revised several traditions woven throughout the academic year e.g., • Convocation and the senior passing of the flame • Social Mixers • Friendly competition in a Journey talent show • An Honor and Integrity Assembly • Passages event in the spring
The Pfeiffer Journey Experience also includes: • Coaching • The use of the EQ-I 2.0 • Challenge Course • Assemblies: Inspirational; Ethics; Honor Code
Concept of a Journey • Grown from a First Year Experience to that of a Four-year Process • Sophomore Seminar as a part of the general education offered as interdisciplinary, competency based offering • Junior Seminar offered as the same • Each level will be linked to co-curricular experiences such as externships, internships, research & travel
Freshman • Theme: Equipping and preparing for the journey • Purpose: Connecting to self and connecting to community • Competencies: Communication & Collaboration • Delivery: seminar and core curriculum
Sophomore • Theme: exploration and discovery • Purpose: Experiencing possibilities, setting forth • Competencies: Critical thinking and information literacy • Delivery: Interdisciplinary encouraged
Junior • Theme: Traveler returns; returning to the center; the heroes welcome • Purpose: Integrating and applying • Competencies: all four • Delivery: team taught interdisciplinary study and problem solving and actionable results
Senior Theme: Launching, reaching and paying forward
What is Coaching? Coaching is about challenging and supporting people, giving them the gift of your presence. • Robert Hargrove, Masterful Coaching
Coaching as Stewardship & Empowerment • Stewardship is taking a stand for the future of the people, communities, complex social systems, and the world we care about. • Empowering people to create a future they desire based on unearthing what they passionately care about.
Pfeiffer’s Coaching Model • Each Pfeiffer Journey Instructor is an advisor and coach • As a result of a Cannon Trust grant we provided training in coaching and the use of Eqi-2.0 2011-12 • Beginning this academic year we meet with each student 3-4 times per semester outside of class
Results to Date • 92% retention from fall to spring • (88% in 2011-12) • 83% retention from freshmen to sophomore year • (78% in 2011-12)
Implications • Coaching students in a personalized way increases success as we are able to more thoroughly custom plan for each student • Student coaching seeks to motivate students to action and move them from an experience of “spectator sport” to a more engaged experience. • Coaching provides an invaluable maturation process to some and nurturing and support to the more ambitious students • Eqi-2. offers a tool for metacognition &
The New Story • Humanistic • Holistic • Infinitely more hopeful
Contact Information • Deborah Burris, Director First Year Experience and Asst. Prof. Communication Studies • Deborah.Burris@pfeiffer.edu • 704-463-3359 Jim Gulledge, Director of Academic Support Services • Jim.Gulledge@pfeiffer.edu • 704-463-3366
Bibliography • Aanstad,J. & Journdan, C..(2012). People skill handbook: Action tips for improving your emotional intelligence. • Egan,G. (2010). The skilled helper: A problem-management and opportunity-development approach to helping. • Stein, S. & Book, H..(2006). The EQ edge: Emotional intelligence and your success. • Zachary, L. (2012). The mentor’s guide: Facilitating effective learning relationships.