Empowering and Equipping Academic

Recovery Students for Academic and Career

SuccessElizabeth Cole, M.A., LPCC

Jeffrey T. Hicks, M.A.Counselors/Professors

Big Sandy Community and Technical College

Academic Recovery:Suspension Reinstatement■ Probation = cum GPA <2.00■ Three semesters suspension■ First suspension = 1 semester■ Resuspension or after Second Chance admission = 2

semesters■ Summer is not a semester■ Persistent underperformance

Academic Recovery:Second Chance Transfer Students■ Transfer or readmit transfer with combined college GPA

<2.00■ Must sit out one 16-week semester■ Or write an appeal for immediate admission to President■ Admitted as second semester probation/subject to

dismissal■ Must get term GPA of 2.00 or higher to remain enrolled

Financial Aid Limits:Maximum Time Frame■ 150% of program credit hours■ “Slack” allowance of 50% of program credit hours■ Developmental, W, failing, electives that don’t count in

program■ Particular issue for those who change their major/program■ Academic Plan of Action, commit to major and graduation date■ Cannot fail or withdraw—must pass all attempted courses■ Must stick to checksheet

Counselor Attitude and Approach

■ No “shaking a finger,” hiding behind administrative bureaucratic language and position, or being the “disappointed parent”

■ Ally – partner – cheerleader ■ Unconditional positive regard■ We are on your side!■ Trust in the person and their ability to rise to the challenge

Desire

■ Fire in the belly – how bad do you want it?■ Contrast current life situation and desired future

– Career– Lifestyle– Social position– Meaning– Satisfaction

Change for Success

■ The same changes in attitude and behavior required to become successful as a student are the SAME as those required for career success

■ Emphasize career connections throughout the conversation■ “You don’t suddenly graduate and wake up with a

professional level work ethic.”■ From this point forward is an opportunity to learn, practice,

and develop this level of professionalism

Commitment

■ 110% Committed■ Gut level decision – I am doing this!■ Translate that decision to daily behaviors■ Emphasize producing results

Treat Being a Student as Your Job

■ If being a student was your job, what would your boss say about your performance?

■ Performance Review■ Would you qualify for a raise?

Strategies for “Bumps in the Road”■ Because they will most likely happen!■ If they don’t, great!■ If they do, it makes a great story for a job interview and

you can tell an employer that how you dealt with the challenge and delivered results anyway would make you a terrific employee

Compartmentalizing

■ Keeping different parts of your life in different boxes■ Not getting swamped or overwhelmed if something goes

awry in one box■ Manage your transitions between boxes

– Playlist of upbeat, positive songs– The commute between locations

■ Be where you are – focus■ Men tend to be better at this

Problem Solving

■ Think about what needs to work well for your life and activities to work

■ What can go wrong?■ Pre-plan: Plan A, B, and C■ Emergencies will happen■ Stress response: breathe, reach out and connect, then think■ Brainstorm solutions■ Implement and evaluate and try again

Ask for Help

■ Don’t suffer in silence■ Need others to brainstorm with, or people who are

knowledgeable about accessing resources?■ ASK!■ Not a sign of weakness.■ Women tend to be better at this.

Visualize

■ Even Olympic athletes get nervous and stressed■ Visualize success

– Graduation Day– A day in your future life doing that desired career

Offer Help■ I am here to help you■ We all want you to succeed■ But you have to do the work, day by day—we can’t do it for you■ List resources of what’s available to help■ If time, walk them around and introduce them■ Finish with humor and cheer

– Cheerlead spell their name– Rocky theme music– Victory pose (arms up)

Questions?

■ Thank you for attending our session!■ Jeff Hicks

– 606/889-4841– Jeffrey.Hicks@kctcs.edu

■ Elizabeth Cole– 606/218-1215– Elizabeth.Cole@kctcs.edu

■ This presentation will be uploaded to http://www.slideshare.net/ElizabethCole