Managing the Bumpy Road of Change

Lisa Steffens and Dana Zahorik

Fox Valley Technical College

Going on a Road Trip

Destination

• Identify typical changes relevant to advising• Understand the stages of the change process• Recognize the signs of change and change talk• Identify where a person is in the change process and how our

behaviors can impact it• Apply the techniques to address change with students

Change is Different for Everyone

Packing for the Trip

Changes to Advising Environments

• Budget cuts• Difficult to plan for the future• Job uncertainty• Unrealistic workload

• Advisors have to be equipped with a new set of skills• Changes in technology• Higher education trends , policy changes,

cultural needs, • Ongoing training

• Millennium Students (Born 1977-1997)• Returning Adults• International Students• Transfer Students• Students with Disabilities• Students with Mental Health Concerns• Parents and Families

The Changing Student Population

Changes in Service Demands

Office Road Rage

Staff

• Burnout, overextending oneself• Family or co-worker conflict• Advising environment not a

great place to be• Ineffective relationship building

with students

Innocent Bystanders

Students• Poor grades or attendance• Detachment• Inability to concentrate• Increased stress • Depression• Dropout

How Understanding the Change Process Helps us Support Students

The Rules

• Stand up• 1 person is in the middle representing the student• 1 person to talk about the reasons of why student stays in college• 1 person to talk about the reasons why student should leave college• The stay in college and leave college should try and talk at the same

time as much as possible• Remaining table members will view the process• No name calling or punching, but you can yell!• 1 minute to complete activity

The WHOLE Story You May Not Know

• From the student’s perspective, were the comments you heard rational and did you feel supported?

•Which way were you swayed and what made the difference?

•What difference does it make knowing the whole story?

Prochaska’s & DiClemente’s Stages of Change

Change happens in an instant

Transition takes longer

Fisher’s Process of Personal Change

What is Change Talk?

Change talk is speech that favors movement:• Desire: I want to..• Ability: I can…• Reason: It’s important…• Need: I should

Not the Change but the What IF?

• Change that is not chosen can be more difficult• Students who can’t make it in their chosen program • Students being forced to choose a new program when in the

early stages of grieving (Financial Aid)

• Resisting the temptation to push students through the stages

• Students who are unwilling or unable to let themselves process through what is happening

Challenges

• Respect student individuality• Identify where a student falls in the change

process• Help a student move through the stages in their

own way and time while keeping the focus on their educational goals

Our Role as Advisors

Have a Ball!

Student Scenarios

• Read the scenario in your group.• Determine what stage of the change process your

student may be in based on your handout.• Share ideas of what you can say and/or do to help the

student understand, deal with, and move on through the process.

Are We There Yet

Did You Arrive at Your Destination?

• Identify typical changes relevant to advising• Understand the stages of the change process• Recognize the signs of change and change talk• Identify where a person is in the change process and how our

behaviors can impact it• Apply the techniques to address change with students

A Little Bit of Change Goes a Long Way!

Thank You For Attending!