Momentum for the Movement

I just returned from three different opportunities to speak to people about strengths-based approaches in higher education. The first was the "Dialogue on Learning" that took place at Tompkins-Cortland Community College (TC3) in central New York. Khaki and Chris are doing a great job there introducing other educators in the region to the positive learning outcomes that can occur when a strengths-based approach is used in the classroom. I spoke on Engaged Learning and talked about the research evidence that connects strengths-based approaches to greater levels of motivation and student engagement in the learning process.

From there I moved on to Washington, DC, where Karen Longman and I had the opportunity to present a plenary session to the joint conference of the chief academic officers and chief student development officers of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, a group of 105 faith-based liberal arts colleges. We presented a strengths-based approach to engaged learning and to team building across student life and academic affairs. Once again, the potential impact of a strengths-based approach on student engagement seemed to grab people's attention, as did the possibility of working better as a team by capitalizing on the strengths that each person brings to the table.

And lastly, Orlando, Florida--site of the joint conference between NASPA and ACPA that happens once in a decade! Almost 10,000 people were there. The strengths perspective was well-represented in four different presentations: Dr. Kim Greenway from the University of North Alabama presented "Building on Students' Strengths: A Strategic Partnership Between Academic and Student Affairs" with me, Dr. Eileen Hulme from Azusa Pacific University presented with some of her students on best practices in strengths-based interventions and programs, as well as with her colleagues Sharra Durham (Texas A & M) and Dub Oliver (Baylor) on strengths-based approaches to staff development, and I presented on strengths-based first-year programs and their impact on student engagement. If you're interested in any of the Power Point slides from those presentations, you can find them at the Noel Strengths Academy website: www.apu.edu/strengthsacademy.

If the size and energy of the audiences at these presentations were any indication, the strengths movement is rapidly gaining momentum! Another reason why it's so important that we as practitioners and researchers continue to answer the "so what?" and "now what?" questions that naturally arise once students learn about their strengths.

I expect that we will take a large step toward furthering the movement when people gather at the Noel Strengths Academy April 26-28 to think together about the next steps to be taken. There are three symposia occurring during that timeframe as part of the Grand Opening of the Academy -- Positive Psychology on Campus, Calling and Vocation, and P-12 Education. In each of these critical areas, conversations will center around what we are learning about the contribution that a strengths approach makes to the outcomes that really matter: the growth and development of students from preschool through college graduation. More info about these symposia can be found on the Academy's website listed above.

Even more conversations will occur at The Gallup Organization in Omaha June 27-29, as educators gather there to focus on "Becoming a Strengths-Based Campus." This conference is a great way to learn what others are doing and to bring a team from your campus so that you get the "big picture" about the impact a strengths approach can have not only on students, but on faculty, staff, and administrators as well.

Maybe we'll run into each other at one of these events!