by Carjie Scott on March 28, 2022 at 1:30 a.m. CST
Students do not attend college for the sole purpose of obtaining employment. Studies have shown that a college degree is not required to get a decent-paying job anymore. Instead, college fills the gap between teenage years and adulthood to prepare students for the real world, particularly for first-time freshmen. College communities are successful when deliberate about engaging in activities to create a culture of belongingness, confidence, and lifelong learning. These institutions encourage students to improve their critical thinking, goal setting, time management, living habits, civic engagement, emotional intelligence, and learning skills. Faculty and staff shape the environment to allow students to accomplish these goals. Oftentimes, higher education employees are required to do more than what’s assigned in their job description to make this happen. Below are 11 ways to improve social impact in higher education.
- Learn with the students
Most colleges offer discounts to employees enrolled in a course. This is a great way to sharpen your skills and meet incoming students who’ve registered for classes at your school. You could also impact retention and increase the number of students who graduate from your institution.
2. Join an advisory council
An advisory council works collaboratively across departments to educate faculty and staff on upcoming events, opportunities to engage in fun activities, and ideas on how to improve current policies. You can benefit from joining these organizations because you can network with other employees and create changes and lasting impacts for future employees.
You are Accepted: How to Get Accepted into College and Life
Carjie Scott provides a first-hand account of her experience as an administrator serving at trade schools, graduate institutions, and HBCUs. You are Accepted, is required reading for first-generation college students and higher education professionals. It encourages readers to own their story and accept themselves so that they can transform education for individuals who were historically excluded from attending college.
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3. Become a student club advisor
Students appreciate faculty and staff who are accessible to them. They value your expertise and want you to guide them during their collegiate journey. Most colleges have hundreds of student-led clubs, fraternities, sororities, and affinity groups to join. When you serve as a student club advisor, you impact future graduates for years to come. Also, if a club doesn’t exist yet, you could become a founding member of a new organization.
4. Attend an affinity group event
You might not have the time to serve as a student club advisor. However, you could consider attending a student-led event. Students want to see faculty and staff attend events as participants and guest speakers. Please volunteer your time and share your professional networks with students.
5. Attend sporting events
Student-athletes have added responsibilities that require them to manage their time to perform on the court and in the classroom. Most of their time is spent in the gym and library. These students are role models on campus since they represent the university through sports. You should bring your friends to attend athletic events to show support for your collegiate teams.
6. Donate to a scholarship fund
You don’t have to donate your money. You could volunteer your time by asking individuals, groups, and organizations to donate theirs. Students need scholarships to afford their education. Studies have shown that poor financial planning is a leading cause of students who drop out of college. Money raised to solve this problem is one of the best ways to make a difference in higher education.
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Visit the You are Accepted shop.
You are Accepted, encourages readers to own their story and accept themselves. Shop for the paperback, ebook, and host an in-person or virtual book signing with Dr. Scott.
The Education Equalizer Foundation
The Education Equalizer Foundation empowers middle through high schoolers with the tools they need to get ‘to and through’ college.
Book me for a speaking engagement to learn four more ways to make a difference in higher education:
8. Work collaboratively with support departments
9. Become a higher education entrepreneur
10. Start a blog, write a book, or podcast
11. Challenge the status quo
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