STUDENT SESSIONS

Possible Selves: Envisioning, Accomplishing, and Giving Back Presenter: Dr. Bethanie Tucker

Imagine that you are a sapling, and you have the power to determine what you, as a grown tree, will look like. Imagine your future “tree” self with four large branches. One branch represents your future self as a person. What will the characteristics (twigs) be? The second main branch represents your future self as a worker. What work will you be doing? How will you feel about your work? The third branch represents your future self as a learner. How will you continue to grow? How would you like to label your fourth branch? What skills can you develop to strengthen your entire tree? Would strong language skills help your future self to grow? What elements could damage your growth? What effect would a lightning strike have on a tree? What effect might addictions have on your future self? During this session students will create a tree mental model of their possible future selves, and in the process, enhance self-awareness and future orientation.

Introduction of Social Marketing Project: Voices for Change Presenter: Ms. Marissa Meyers

The presenter will provide students insights on the Voices for Change project at the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice that captures students’ struggles with basic needs insecurity. This interactive and collaborative session will also serve to engage participants in a social marketing project aimed at tackling the symposium’s key themes including “addressing students’ basic needs” and “creating a culture of caring, collaboration and completion.” Students will be assigned to project teams and instructed to utilize all available resources including the information tables positioned throughout the venue. Projects will be judged according to a rubric and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be awarded prizes.

FACULTY, STAFF, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS & OTHER GUESTS’ SESSIONS

Identifying Solutions to Addressing Students’ Basic Needs Insecurity Presenter: Ms. Marissa Meyers

Stakeholders will be informed on research related to addressing students’ basic needs insecurity and best practices from

the field. Discussion will involve what is being done within institutions of higher learning and communities to address

issues that impact individuals’ ability to achieve their academic, career and personal goals as they face life’s challenges.

A Framework for Understanding Poverty Presenter: Dr. Bethanie Tucker

Poverty can be measured in terms of resources. The financial resource (money) is important, but it is only one of many that help individuals to survive and thrive. During this session, we will examine eleven resources that can help provide stability and satisfaction to lives and how each can be enhanced. Some of the resources that will be discussed include Knowledge of Hidden Rules (knowing what is expected of us in particular environments), the Mental Resource (knowing how to plan, focus, etc.), the Spiritual Resource (having a future story), Support Systems (organizations and people who will be there when we need them) and the Language Resource (knowing how to code switch between formal and casual register and when each is appropriate). Strategies for developing personal and community resources will also be discussed.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS – ALL ATTENDEES

Action: We Have More Work to Do Presenter: Ms. Marissa Meyers

The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice is a nonprofit research center focused on rethinking and restructuring higher education and social policies, practices, and resources to create opportunities for all students to complete college degrees. Presently, the Hope Center maintains a portfolio of over 20 research projects focused on food and housing insecurity among college student nationwide. Many of our projects include multi-sector partnerships from housing authorities, social service agencies, colleges, and more. Join me in thinking about how to promote collaboration and communication between students and administrators from all sectors.