Service & Products

On-Campus General Sessions

Helping Students Lead Extraordinary Lives

For years the work of theorists such as Arthur Chickering has provided a conceptual framework to understand the natural maturation process of college students. This seminar will present an overview of positive student development theory, an emerging theory of student development that explores the psychosocial factors in college students that go beyond natural maturation to thriving. Positive student development theory includes such constructs as hope, zest, altruistic love, curiosity, and self-regulation which are foundational to enabling students to lead extraordinary lives. This highly interactive seminar will provide both a theoretical and practical roadmap for innovative work in this arena.

Taking a StrengthsQuest Program to a New Depth by Integrating Hope, Persistence, and Zest

Many campuses that have been engaged in strengths programming over the last five years are left asking: “Strengths, now what?” The identification of strengths of competency through the Gallup Organization’s Clifton StrengthsFinder and other tools, have provided literally thousands of college students a new perspective on their unique identities, majors, and relationships. However, recent research has indicated that identification is not enough. Students must be taught how to use their competency strengths to build enduring character strengths such as hope, persistence, and motivation. This seminar reviews emerging research on character strengths and provides practical examples of how to develop those strengths in college students.

Faculty

Creating a First-Year Experience Based on New Research from Positive Psychology

Over 80% of colleges and universities have some type of first-year seminar. The purpose of these seminars ranges from academic preparation to retention. It is clear that all seminars have as their ultimate goal to increase the likelihood that a student will be successful at their particular institution. However, student psychosocial concerns are rarely considered in the course development process. This engaging and participatory seminar enables colleges and universities to enhance their existing classes through the theoretical framework found in positive psychology. This session will demonstrate that by enhancing the range of positive emotional and behavioral responses available to students, the chances of them experiencing academic and social success are greatly improved.

Student Development Professionals

Student Development - Building the Psychological Capital of our Student Leaders

As the pace and demands of global change continue to escalate, developing the psychological capital (Psy Cap) of our future leaders becomes paramount. Psy Cap is an integrated approach to leadership development that explores one’s inner landscape. Grounded in research that demonstrates the importance of developing self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resiliency in leaders, Psy Cap offers a proven framework that may be applied to dent leadership destuvelopment programs. This interactive session provides institutions the tools necessary to translate Psy Cap theory into practice with college students.

E-Learning

Introduction to Positive Student Development Theory

Don Clifton, CEO of the Gallup Organization before his death, would ask: “What would happen if we studied what was right with people?” The same question could be asked of college and universities in terms of their students. Positive student development theory provides an emerging framework to explore the character traits in college students that lead to flourishing in college. The e-learning module will review the central tenants of positive student development (hope, curiosity, altruistic love, zest and self-regulation), provide the latest information on accessible assessments, and outline practical strategies for application.

Developing Hope in College Students

The existence of hope in a person’s life results in a multitude of positive outcomes ranging from general life satisfaction to longevity. For college students it correlates highly with academic success, engagement, and relationship satisfaction. Yet, it has remained an elusive college outcome that most have dared not consider. Research emanating from the field of positive psychology has provided new insights into the theoretical structure of hope and practical interventions to improve hope. This on-line seminar will outline the central aspects of hope theory and consider innovative ways campuses can weave a hope emphasis through curricular and co-curricular initiatives.

Putting the Life Back into Your Work: Building Hope, Curiosity, and Zest

Have you ever wondered how you could help students not just go through life but rather lead lives filled with meaning, purpose, and energy? Do you need a new perspective on your work that reclaims or reenergizes your own original desire to deeply impact the lives of college students? This approximately 60 minute e-learning journey will cover practical ways to develop hope, increase curiosity, and engender more zest/energy in life. This presentation is for those people that are successful in their careers but want to learn how to take it to the next level of satisfaction and meaning.