1. A Process and Outcome Evaluation of
Kendra Berry
“I’m looking for people who believe in doing things differently”
2. The role of academics
Evaluation of eVOLve
Why this is important
3. Advocate Bridge to Campus Record Keeper
Liaison Safe Place Believer with students
Mentor Organizer
Challenger Educator
Sounding Board Guide
Life Coach Coordinator
Resource Innovator
5. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Meet with
Kendra
Meet with
Kendra
Meet with
Kendra
GAMEDAY!
GAMEDAY!
GAMEDAY!
AND
GAMEDAY!
In Season
I am a graduate assistant in academic support at the University of TennesseeI am also a doctoral student at UT so I get to have this awesome view when I get to see research and practice come together in what I doThis evaluation was birthed out of this idea. I got to collect and look at some data as part of the research piece, but also I got to evaluate a program that is central to what we are doing in academics. I get the best of both worlds
So in my neck of the words there are multiple words for us: academic counselor, academic advisor. We are supposed to guide them academically in some sort. But in addition to my official tile I am also all of these things. Often times more then one in a day. And it gets fun when I am more thatn one at the same time
Duringthe off season typically the coaches get tehm 5 time a week. They will have tremendous influence on our students
I am also hyper aware of the opportunity ti have, this is one of the reasons I enjoy being part of academics. Coming to see me is not optional. They see In the summer they see me on the first day of orientation. In the fall they see me on the first day when we welcome back all of our students. You cant get away from meD some additional support you will meet with me 3 times a week. / lets plan the week. How is the week going and lets get ready for next week. If we are in season. You will see me a lot. I am still relatively new to the field, I am over zealous and I am crazy and try to attend everything. I love my studentsand I want to be around.i am 25, I m a doctoral student and this is what I do.So I get them ,in season, maybe 6 days a week..and my favorite on Friday where they are stuck with me 2wice Obviosuly there favorite day is Thursday..when they don’t have to see meThe students that I meet with, if we feel that you neeI don’t talk aacdemics all of these times. Im incredibly fortunate I get to be the good cop and spend all my extra time forming that relationship. Going the extra mile…im still surprised that people want to pay me to be a part of this
Ok but at some point we do talk academics.Wegot a new director last may and we restructed how we did thingsThe Thornton Center houses “all things academics” for the 500+ student athletes at the University of TennesseeSpecifically for freshmen and transfer student athletes at the University of Tennessee
HighlightsCommunication channels and strength of mentorsGraduate students, praticum students, graduate internsSchool counseling, sports management, sports psychology
Time to tweak small things and see where we are.
We went old school and did pen and paper because I felt we would get a better response rate. In the past when we have done online surveys we get about 90% participation from the rowing team and it is hit and miss everywhere elseThis time it went a lot better and we got just under a 75% reponse rate
Preliminary findings
I suspect that the key here is connection.We are in the most connected time in the history of the world, and yet this generation of students are more alone than everFacebook, twitter, instagram, google hang out, skype, vineWe are now more connected in that we can reach fartherBut I think we miss deep, meaningful, personal connection. The face to face conversation where I can interpret your tone of voice and pick up on your non verbal behavior.We asked the question: what is your mentor helpful with? The first was life lessons and the 3 was everythingMy favorite is when they text me after getting a grade back or rocking a testAccountability. This is one on one. Face to face. No room to hide
I am also hyper aware of the opportunity ti have, this is one of the reasons I enjoy being part of academics. Coming to see me is not optional. They see In the summer they see me on the first day of orientation. In the fall they see me on the first day when we welcome back all of our students. You cant get away from meD some additiaonl support you will meet with me 3 times a week. / lets plan the week. How is the week going and lets get ready for next week. If we are in season. You will see me a lot. I am sstillreletively new to the field, I am over zealous and I am crazy and try to attend everything. I love my studentsand I want to be around.i am 25, I m a doctoral student and this is what I do.So I get them ,in season, maybe 6 days a week..and my favorite on Friday where they are stuck with me 2wice Obviosuly there favorite day is Thursday..when they don’t have to see meThe students that I meet with, if we feel that you neeI don’t talk aacdemics all of these times. Im incredibly fortunate I get to be the good cop and spend all my extra time forming that relationship. Going the extra mile…im still surprised that people want to pay me to be a part of this
Academic Outcomes
Well it’s important because this is the most cause minded generation ever
Internet, social media, google
How many people in this room could identify with at least one of these?And we could probably keep going
We are developing those who have impact. I remind myself of that everyday. When I get lost in the trees of grades and eligibility, I remind myself of the forest. And the fact that I get to develop those who will have significant impact.Developing those who will have an impact helps me “pursue a life worth living.” If you have chosen to the same, Kudos to you and please come find me. I would love to talk to you and hear your story of the impact, the impact you are having on our students as well.