A presentation Ashley Ransom and I did at the TexAAN conference 2011 and will present at NACADA Region 7 conference 2011. The presentation is about using appreciative advising to help a student overcome bad news and let the experience of choosing a second-choice major be a positive one.

1. Silver medals Helping Students Adjust to a Second-Choice Major Patrick Morton – Texas State University – Round Rock Higher Education Center Ashley Ransom – Texas State University – San Marcos

2. Outline: Introduction Appreciative Advising Delivering the “Bad News” Helping Students Adjust to a Second-Choice Major Conclusion Questions?

3. Appreciative Advising: An Overview A series of steps or phases that “intentionally use positive, active, and attentive listening and questioning strategies to build trust and rapport with students.” Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

4. Appreciative Advising Phases Disarm – Put the student at ease by a warm welcome, a professional and comforting environment and giving your full attention Discover – An attempt to find the values and strengths of the student by using positive inquiry and open-ended questions, active listening and reinforcement Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

5. Appreciative Advising Phases Dream – Encourage the student to let go of everything else and simply wish, then connect the dream with the values and strengths of the Discover phase Design – Determine actionable goals and incremental steps needed to achieve what is put forth in the Dream phase Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

6. Appreciative Advising Phases Deliver – The follow-through of the Design phase, give the student positive support and encouragement as they move toward their goals Don’t Settle – Encourage and help the student forward in the goals, a time to challenge the student to exceed their own expectations rather than simply meet them Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

7. Share Think of a time when you may have used Appreciative Advising…

8. *Disarm you with a smile… The Disarm Phase should be used every time you interact with a student but it is crucial when delivering bad news. Advisor Tips: Greet them warmly with your full body facing the student 2. Smile 3. Good posture, but not rigid 4. Remove distractions Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing *Smashing Pumpkins. (1993). Siamese Dream.

9. Advisor Tips continued 4. Maintain eye contact 5. Call student by name 6. Use teamwork pronouns when possible – “we” “us” 7. Small talk 8. Treat the student as you would have your son or daughter or best friend treated Disarm Phase Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

10. Delivering Bad News Stick to the facts If relevant use personal disclosure, it shows empathy and triumph over adversity Focus on their potential, be sure to discuss the courses where they did well

11. Let Them Grieve “If advisors quickly dismiss students’ voluntary or involuntary abandonment of their plans for the future and encourage students to move on, advisors trivialize the predicament most students confront. Perhaps in hindsight, most students will see their loss as “minor,” but for most it’s anything but as they confront it.” ~ Maura Reynolds Reynolds, M. M. (2004). Now What? Some thoughts on advising students in selective majors from a faculty member with no training as a counselor. Retrieved from NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/SelectiveMajors.htm

12. Recover with Discover For the current advisor: “I think we need to figure out a Plan B” For the new advisor: “I need to know what other majors are out there.”

13. Recover with Discover How to utilize the Discover Phase Use open-ended questions to discuss their passions and strengths: “What do you like to do?” Let them ramble and actively listen, feed it back to them Be non-judgmental and be authentic Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

14. Recover with Discover Disclose when appropriate Affirm/rephrase what they say: “I am impressed by…” Highlight initiative, praise proactive behavior Don’t be afraid of silence Emphasis on their potential Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

15. Discover Phase Activity Pair up and discuss the following: Tell me about a time where you feel you made a difference. Describe your most important accomplishment as an advisor.

16. Discover Phase Questions for the Student Describe three life events that have made you who you are Since coming to this institution, what is something you have accomplished that you are proud of? Who are the most important role models in your life? Why? What qualities in these people do you hope to emulate? Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

17. From Discover to Dream

18. LISTEN Remind the student to be open to possibilities; there is more than one way to achieve their dreams Looking for connections to the values and strengths revealed in Discover Phase Dream Phase Tips for Advisors Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

19. Dream Activity Think about one of your wildest dreams Narrow that down to a part you think would actually be achievable Now, what would you need to know/have in order to actually achieve this part of the dream? Name one step that you could do next week that would move you towards your own dream

20. Dream Phase Questions for Students Twenty years from now, you are on the cover of a magazine. What magazine is it? When you were in grade school, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up? What about now? If salary, education and time were irrelevant, what would be your ideal job? Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

22. Information on how to declare the new major

24. Resources: Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008) The Appreciative Advising Revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing Reynolds, M. M. (2004). Now What? Some thoughts on advising students in selective majors from a faculty member with no training as a counselor. Retrieved from NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: http:// www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/SelectiveMajors.htm