Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DEVELOPMENT
Outcomes & Evidence
Progress Inventory*
MINOR IN LEADERSHIP STUDIES
Center for Student Leadership Development
Memorial Union
University of Rhode Island
*The Outcomes & Evidence Progress Inventory is the intellectual property of the Center for Student Leadership Development (CSLD) at the
University of Rhode Island and cannot be reproduced in part, or in its entirety, without the written permission of the acting Assistant Director of the
CSLD.
OUTCOMES
• Outcomes (Self-Leadership, Interpersonal and Organizational, Leadership Theories, Inclusive Leadership, Critical
Thinking)
• Targeted Classes
• Experiences
• Evidence
GENERAL INFORMATION
• Regardless of your major, you can minor in Leadership Studies.
• Requirements may be satisfied by completing 18 or more credits related to leadership and offered by more than one department.
• Twelve (12) of the 18 credits must be at the 200 level of instruction or above. A course grade of “C” or better must be earned in each graded course. At least 12 of the credits must be earned at
URI.
• No course may be used to apply to both the major and minor fields of study. Courses in General Education or for other minors may be used for the minor* (*this does not apply to students in
the College of Business). With the exception of internship credit, all courses for the minor must be taken for a grade. The Introductory class must be taken before the internship and the
capstone course.
• Application for the minor must be filed in your academic dean’s office no later than the beginning of the final semester or term.
• Approval of the minor does not guarantee that the suggested courses will be available to you on a schedule correlated with your graduation plans nor guarantee space in any required course.
Introductory Course HDF 190: FLITE Only offered in spring for first-year students
3 credits or
HDF 290: Modern Leadership Issues Offered Fall and Spring for sophomores & juniors
Internship HDF 417: Leadership Internship Requires 40 hours/credit with a min. of 80 hours & a max. of 120 hours of documented internship
3 credits or experience for graded credit
Experience through Office of Experiential Learning & Community Engagement
or
Internship Class in Academic Major The only time the major and minor can overlap
Capstone HDF 412: Historical, Multi-ethnic & Alternative Leadership Offered only in the fall with preference given to seniors
3 credits or
COM 402: Leadership & Motivation Offered in the spring and summer with Dr. Leatham
or
BUS 441: Leadership Skills Development Offered in the fall and spring with Dr. Cooper
or
HPR 411/412: Honors Senior Seminar
Must be in Honors or have GPA of 3.3
Portfolio HDF 492: Leadership Minor Portfolio Taken last spring semester of enrollment (some exceptions)
1 credit
*Additional classes may be appropriate and therefore added to the list; see CSLD for the most updated list or bring a class that you think should be an elective
You need to have your own act together before you can lead others:
2. Lead Yourself
▪ Time management
▪ Organization
1. Know Yourself ▪ Self care
▪ Self discipline
Lead Others ▪ Strengths ▪ Perseverance
▪ Weaknesses ▪ Develop and maintain family,
▪ Values PROGRESS interpersonal, and intimate relationships
▪ Needs ▪ Academic, social, personal goals and
P ▪ Styles objectives
R o Learning
O o Teaching
G o Personality P
R o Membership R
E o Leadership O
S G
S RE-EVALUATE R
former stages as E
you progress S
4. Develop and Refine S
Skills
New for 412 (in green): Revised for 412 (in orange):
13. 12.
14. 17.
25. 18.
26. 142.
33. 74.
34. 131.
43.
44.
71.
72.
73.
81.
82.
Leadership Inventory Revised 08/22/2017 !7
92.
92.
96.
98.
99.
118.
130.
14. Student will show application of HDF 412 This past semester I have had to reprioritize my needs and think about how my identity as a student
Maslow’s theory to own life has been affecting my mental health, and vice versa. I am confident in the first three levels of the
hierarchy and their presence in my life. I always have food and water, as well as a house, a bed to
sleep in, and clothes to keep me warm. In terms of safety needs, I have been employed consistently
for the past four years with sufficient health care (at least for the purposes in which I have needed it so
far). And in regards to psychological needs, I have stable relationships with my friends, family, and
romantic partner. Not only are my close relationships healthy, but those of my coworkers, boss,
classmates, and instructors. However this semester has been particularly arduous in terms of my
esteem needs. I've had to make decisions between going to work versus going to Health Services,
which interferes with my safety needs because I lose hours. Because my self esteem has been
declining, Being recently diagnosed with depression and disordered eating, I've been finding it difficult
to fulfill my esteem needs, as well as my self-actualization needs. Self-actualization for me is so
intertwined with my identity as a student, and as I’ve become less able to complete my schoolwork,
my personal motivation to execute my goals has declined. Though it sometimes forces me to miss
class or work, I've tried to improve by going to therapy every week, as well as meet regularly with a
nutritionist to adopt healthier and more sustainable eating habits. I've reached out to the instructors
that I feel like have not been receiving my full attention in class, and I've given myself permission to
ask for help and to not be ashamed by that. In order to become the best version of myself and keep
growing I've made sure to keep the balance of each of these levels intact, which sometimes means
taking away from one component for a little while to give more to another.
Leadership Inventory Revised 08/22/2017 !20
Outcome Category: Leadership Theories
Outcome Target class Additional Experiences Descriptive notes regarding learning and practice
25. Student will show knowledge of HDF 412 N/A In HDF 412, we learned about MacGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y, which are two styles of
“Theory X and Theory Y” theory of leadership that describe authoritarian and participative management respectively. Both theories are
leadership by MacGregor critical in their ability to help us understand and motivate our team members, and the way that our
actions impact the performance of our team. Theory X is defined by a more strict and hands-on
approach to leading a group, particularly in a way that micromanages. This style of management
assumes that workers dislike their work, avoid their responsibilities, need constant direction, and
aren't passionate about their work, ultimately requiring supervision through every step. According to
MacGregor, workplaces that implement a Theory X style rarely delegate authority and control remains
firmly central. In contrast, Theory Y managers have a more positive and optimistic view of their team
members and use a decentralized, participative management style. There is more trust between
managers and their workers, who have greater responsibilities because they are encouraged by their
superiors to develop their skills. This type of management assumes that workers are more involved in
the decision making process, are self-motivated by the tasks they are given, seek and accept
responsibilities while needing little direction, and view work as challenging and fulfilling.
Value Based Management.net. (2010). Theory X theory Y – McGregor. Retrieved from http://
www.valuebasedmanagement.net/methods_mcgregor_theory_X_Y.html
33. Student will show knowledge of the HDF 412 N/A In HDF 412, we studied Sashkin’s theory of Transformational Leadership. Unlike some of the other
“Visionary Leadership” (now often theories we have studied thus far, Transformational leadership is more of an overarching concept of
cited as “Transformational inspiring positive change within a group, rather than a concrete model with different steps and
Leadership”) theory by Sashkin components. Transformational leadership is defined as a leadership approach that inspires change
individually and systemically. In its most effective form, it increases the drive, morale, and
performance of followers through several different techniques. These techniques include connecting
the follower’s sense of identity and self to the mission and the collective identity of the organization to
which the participant belongs. They also include being a role model for followers that inspire them,
and challenging them to accept more ownership for their work. Additionally, the theory requires the
leader to understand the individual strengths and weaknesses of their followers, so the leader can
delegate tasks that both challenge and compliment them.
Sashkin, M., & Sashkin, M. G. (2003). Leadership that matters. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler.
34. Student will describe personal HDF 412 N/A I spend most of my time on campus working at the Media Equipment Center in Ranger Hall. Being the
application of the above theory Team Leader, I oversee a staff of ten, as well as interact with a wide variety of students and faculty on
(Sashkin) a daily basis. Over the couple years, I have had the privilege to try to cultivate what I consider to be
not only a space for learning, but a safe space for different ideas and identities, both social and
creative. The staff that I lead are all peers, most of whom are younger than myself. I make it a
personal goal every day to check in with each of them individually. Sometimes this ranges from a
quick chat to a deeper conversation, but it's a priority of mine to ensure that I’m supporting their
growth and wellbeing, and that their place of work encourages it, rather than diminishes it. I strive to
lead by example, so instead of just telling them exactly what I expect of them in meetings, I model it
so they know that I not only have expectations for them, but for myself, and I want them to hold me
accountable as they would hold each other accountable. I try to delegate tasks in a way that
challenges each of them, but also tie into their individual strengths. I maintain morality by clearly
explaining the our policies to our patrons, but also by knowing how to listen when things go wrong.
44. Students will describe personal HDF 412 Tracking In HDF 412, we studied constructivism and its differences to a traditional classroom, and the best
examples of implementing example I can think of to describe a course based in constructivism is HDF 412. One of the main
constructivism characteristics of this concept is the instructor’s emphasis on working in groups. In HDF 412, we did
group work almost every day, whether with our assigned small groups, which allowed us to work
closely with almost every other student throughout the semester, or with our neighbors. We were also
given specific tools on how to learn, the most notable being Tracking. This concept prompted us to be
more aware in our surroundings and take mental notes of the individual social differences that
comprised the groups we engage in. Each day at the beginning of class, the instructors would ask the
class whether they had done any Tracking and explain their findings. At the beginning of the course
we also created a group contract, which allowed the students to be upfront about their expectations of
their peers, but also of our teachers. We established a mutual understanding, laying the ground for a
more interactive classroom, rather than an authoritative one. Being taught to analyze the theories we
learned in relation our own lives suggests that the material being taught can be applied in several
different ways, and not just one fixed answer. Our work in groups also helped us to ask questions,
explore, research and constantly reassess what we know and don’t know with the help of our peers.
This class helped us answer our own questions by making us think critically, and ultimately granted us
the freedom to create our own understandings and opinions of the material.
Outcome Target class Additional Experiences Descriptive notes regarding learning and practice
71. Student will demonstrate knowledge of HDF 412 Cycle of Socialization In HDF 412, we learned about the Cycle of Socialization. Roberta L. Harro developed the theory of the
the “Cycles of Socialization” (Harro) “Cycles of Socialization” as a way to explain the social identities into which we are socialized to fit. In
theory and its uses in leadership HDF 414, we spoke about this cycle when discussing how we identify and the way these identities
shape the rest of our lives. The first part of the cycle is “The Beginning,” the moment that we are born.
When we first start out in the world, we aren’t responsible for any choices, so we don’t have any guilt
or blame. As we start to grow up, we socialize with our families; parents and other people that we
trust begin to shape our values, as well as teach us rules and roles. At this very formative stage we
also learn stereotypes, languages, and traditions. The next stage of the cycle is “Institutional and
Cultural Socialization.” As we get older and more aware of the world around us, we also become more
aware of the stigmas that stem from stereotypes that we’ve learned growing up. Other sources beside
our parents influence the way we think and the way we perceive the world, such as school, religion,
and media. Stigma and privilege drive the normalization of punishment and reward discrimination, and
the stereotypes that are instilled in us as children justify it. We carry these notions with us into
adulthood, and as we continue to go on not challenging them, we internalize them. We become driven
by silence and succumb to ignorance, guilt, self-hatred, and sometimes violence. Consequently we
teach the next generation to promote the status quo that’s affected us so negatively, but might not
even be aware of. Ideally, we would try to break the Cycle of Socialization and begin the Cycle of
Liberation.
73. Student will demonstrate knowledge HDF 412 Cycle of Liberation In HDF 412, we studied the Cycle of Liberation, in opposition to the Cycle of Socialization, which
of the “Cycles of Liberation” (Harro) were both developed by Roberta L. Harro. The first section cites how critical incidents can create a
theory and its uses in leadership cognitive dissonance and provoke people to think differently, especially if the incident has
compromised the well being of others. These events hopefully will inspire us to self-educate, and then
become empowered and introspect. After educating ourselves, ideally we could educate others, and
create a sense of community to promote understanding and common goals. From this stage we would
move into action by organizing, lead by example, and be allies to those who need our help even if the
issue doesn’t directly affect us. Next it would be important to create change by instituting policy and
creating a new culture by holding each other accountable. Stereotypes don’t just go away, but are
broken by people who advocate for the people who are suffering from the stigmas. Leaders who
create change should take risks, promote healing, and be brave, knowing that they're not going to
please a lot of people. By creating change we inspire others, model balance, and promote authenticity
and wholeness.
83. Students will demonstrate knowledge of HDF 414 McIntosh’s theory of privilege In HDF 414 we studied McIntosh’s theory of prvilege. In 1988 Peggy McIntosh published an essay
McIntosh’s theory of privilege and its entitled “White Privilege and Male Privilege: A Personal Account of Coming to See Correspondences
relationship to leadership Through Work in Women’s Studies.” This analysis encouraged the inclusion of privilege into
discussions of power, gender, race, class and sexuality in the United States. The theory about which
McIntosh describes in her paper describes personal examples of unearned advantage that she says
she experienced in her lifetime, especially from 1970 to 1988. McIntosh urges individuals to reflect on
and recognize their own unearned advantages and disadvantages as parts of immense and
overlapping systems of power. In the essay, McIntosh writes that "I was taught to see racism only in
individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group.” Many
people were, and are still, under the impression that racism and sexism are brought on by individuals
with the intention of acting as such, rather than deep-rooted systems that set marginalized groups up
for failure in many ways. McIntosh also writes that she thinks white people are carefully taught not to
recognize white privilege, as males are taught not to recognize male privilege.
87. Student will show knowledge of effective HDF 414 Change Agents Reading In 414, we learned what it meant to be a Change Agent. Effective leadership relates to change agency
leadership as it relates to change agency on an individual level, as well as on a group level. An individual can become a change agent when
they discover that they have the potential and frame of knowledge to be a good leader in whatever
role they take on. This self-assurance develops into self-efficacy, and allows the leader to feel
encouraged in their abilities to accomplish tasks. Following self-efficacy comes group efficacy, which
is derived from the capability of a leader to make others feel as empowered and confident in their
skills. Once a group leader has found assurance in their ability, they help other members of the group
become aware of their own voice as leaders and their influence in the group. Together, the group
stays calm and focused on their task and can accomplish it without difficulty. According to the Change
Agents reading, change agents possess a number of qualities, such as resiliency, optimism,
authenticity, competency, empathy, and self-awareness. They are able to clearing communicate ideas,
listen to others, accommodate individual differences, and inspire.
Griffin, P. & Harro, B. (1997). Action continuum. In M. Adams, L. A. Bell, & P. Griffin (Eds.), Teaching
for diversity and social justice: A sourcebook (p. 109). New York: Routledge.
92 Student will demonstrate personal HDF 412 Action Continuum In regards to Griffin and Harro’s Action Continuum, I would currently place myself at Supporting,
application of the Action Continuum Encouraging. The authors define this stage by, “Supporting others who speak out against oppression
by Griffin & Harro or who are working to be more inclusive of target group members by backing up others who speak
out, forming an allies group, joining a coalition group” (Griffin, Harro 1997). I identify as a feminist,
and whenever I have discussions about feminism with people who may not be as informed, I strive to
emphasize that feminism is intersectional. Some close friends and I have hosted two feminist art
shows over the summer and during this semester, and made sure to include the transgender pride
flag to indicate our support. The place where I work on campus is a stop on the tour guide route, so
my boss and I put up safe space stickers in the window in the hopes of illustrating to both current and
prospective students that the university is a place where we are striving to be more inclusive. For my
senior thesis film, I am writing a short narrative film about a trans man who has a conversation with his
father about his gender identity, in the hopes that I could educate and inform others through my art.
Film and media are such accessible platforms, and I wanted to get into the field so I could provide a
platform for issues for which I care very deeply. My coworkers and I have decided to host screenings
for students on campus of films and TV shows that center around the LGBTQ+ community for the
same reason. An example of how I’d like to move toward Initiating, Preventing is to actually volunteer
with House of Hope and the other organizations that I interviewed last year to offer service in a more
hands-on approach. Another example of how I’d like to move closer in Continuum is to become
trained in leading a Safe Zone event concerning trans and non-binary people, so that I may carry
those skills with me after graduation into the working world.
Griffin, P. & Harro, B. (1997). Action continuum. In M. Adams, L.A. Bell, & P.Griffin (Eds.),
Teaching for diversity and social justice: Asource book (p.109). NewYork: Routledge.
96. Student will show personal HDF 412 Multicultural Change Intervention In the Multicultural Change Intervention Matrix, Pope outlines two types of change: first-order and
application of the Multicultural Matrix second-order, as well as three targets of change: individual, group, and institutional (Pope 2014). A
Change Intervention Matrix group that I am involved with on campus is the Student Film Collab, in which film students of all ages
can come together to talk about movies, gain experience on set, ask questions, and get advice about
career choices. Through my involvement with Film Collab and my assistant manager position at the
Media Equipment Center, I have a platform that reaches both students and staff within the Harrington
School. The individual first-order change I took was becoming of aware of how little diversity there is
in the film department. While we have many students who are in the LGBQ+ community, they are
almost all white and cisgender. As aforementioned, I want to screen and expose students to different
films that are made by trans and multicultural directors, and that showcase those corresponding
themes of identity. Going off of this exposure to more diverse media, I want to have conversations
with the group about restructuring the way we tell stories. As young filmmakers, our greatest passions
lie in storytelling and being out there. I want these screenings to spark a change that inspires more
students to use their art to advocate for different groups of people.
Pope, R. L., Reynolds, A. L. & Mueller, J. A. (2014). Creating multicultural change on campus.
San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
97. Student will create a personal code of HDF190, HDF 414 Day of Discovery, Leadership At the Day of Discovery, our small group gathered to discuss active listening techniques, as well as
inclusive leadership Institute identities such as sexual orientation, gender, race, and class. During this discussion, we covered how
to properly demonstrate active listening through body language, asking questions, and repeating back
key points. I hold active listening in very high esteem as a leader because I believe it is the most
effective way to form connections between a leader and their group members, as well as build trust. I
think there's no better way to show a team member that they are valued and included than by staying
engaged while they’re opening up or sharing ideas. The activity concerning identity was one of our
first discussions as a group. We are a very diverse team, and during this retreat we were still relatively
new to each other. Talking about identity allowed us to practice listening as well as patience. If
someone had a different opinion or came from a different background, we knew not to shut that
person down because we were different, but rather celebrate what set us apart. Ultimately, praising
these differences brought us closer together as a team, which granted us the assurance that we felt
included as a team of leaders. Since the retreat, we’ve been able to carry these skill sets with us
during activities in HDF190 throughout the semester among our small groups, as well as other teams.
When I became an Institute Peer Leader over the summer, my partner and I had to enforce the
importance of active listening and confidentiality to our team. This code was especially
important during My Mosaic, an exercise that served as a visual representation of each
student’s background. This included components such as race, sexuality, dis/ability, values,
etc. While it was important for the team members to support each other by staying engaged, it
was also important for my partner and I to display our attention as to not discourage our
students from speaking up. We created a trusting, safe space for everyone to share and be
vulnerable. As the mentors that our students were looking up to, we both abided by the code
of inclusive leadership that we wanted our students to mirror: showing respect, intent, and
giving everyone a platform on which to speak.
Outcome Target class Additional Experiences Descriptive notes regarding learning and practice
98. Student will show knowledge of principles HDF 412 In HDF 412, we discussed the importance of critical thinking in our leadership practices, a concept
of critical thinking and fallacies (logic is that can be defined as intelligent reasoning with appropriate backing evidence that assists in making
used in this minor) smart decisions. It is important for leaders to think critically because they must communicate ethically
and logically, which in turn establishes credibility. Leaders should not have to manipulate their team
members in order to gain credibility, nor should they allow themselves to be manipulated. In addition
to the concept of critical thinking, there are eight different fallacies, or structural errors in arguments
and reasoning, The first fallacy is hasty generalization, which is a conclusion that is based on weak
evidence. Another fallacy is begging the question, which is essentially arguing in circles, and
assuming that the point needs to be proved. Third third is a complex question, which is a biased
inquiry that is asked specifically to be answered in a certain way. Ad Hominem attacks the character
of the person with which one is arguing, rather than the issue at hand. A false analogy is an invalid
comparison between two items. A slippery slope is the unfair assumption that an initial action will lead
inevitably to a series of catastrophic actions ending in disaster. Prejudice is pretty straightforward and
is defined by making judgements based in ignorance. Prejudiced opinions are typically negative and
irrational and can generalize a whole group. Finally group think, the final fallacy in this theory, is the
motivation for a consensus at any cost that does not allow disagreement and prevents the
analyzation of alternate solutions in cohesive decision making.
Caputo, J. S., Hazel, H. C., & McMahon, C. (1994). Interpersonal
communication: Competency through critical thinking. Needham Heights, MA:
Allyn and Bacon.
108. Student will describe examples of HDF 413 Sigma Kappa Retreat Fall My very first shadowing experience for SOLC took place this fall during the Sigma Kappa retreat.
leadership in crisis situations (i.e., 2017 The only prior experience I had facilitating activities and full value contracts was at Leadership
application of James & Wooten; Garvin; Leadership Institute 2017 Institute 2017 when I was overseeing fourteen first-year students. I was intimidated to participate
Covey; Frohman; Lalonde; Schoenberg; SOLC during this retreat with returning members, but I thought that I would be with the facilitator I was
Joni; Braden et al; etc.) shadowing, so I didn’t have much to worry about. During the first hour of the retreat, one of the
students from another small group hurt her leg and needed medical attention, so my facilitator was
called into action, which left me alone with twenty-five people. Luckily we were doing their full values
contract, which I was prepared to go through with them, as well as more energizers. One of the
leads from the retreat came to supervise me in case I needed anything, which I really appreciated
because my facilitator didn’t return for another hour. This retreat served as the two leads’ first
leading experience, and I could tell that they were both nervous about how the events were unfolding
due to the unforeseen injury. However, upon debriefing the retreat among the facilitators, and then
again in class, we found out that the course of action/communication that they took during that crisis
was very appropriate. The facilitator who was overseeing the student who got hurt told the two
leads. One of the leads then informed the advisor, who happened to be the facilitator I was
shadowing, who left to make sure that the student didn’t need immediate medical assistance. The
student was crying in pain, so the advisor took her to the hospital, and then informed Allie of the
situation. Because of the efficient line of communication, the student was able to get the proper
treatment that she needed, and the retreat was able to run normally and successfully.
110. Student will describe examples of using HDF 413, HDF Day of Discovery, Leadership At the Day of Discovery retreat as a part of HDF190, we were asked in our groups to talk about
active listening skills 415 Institute 2017, Breaking Boundaries important identities such as sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, socio-economic status, and gender,
and at what point we realized how these labels affect the people around us. We learned that as we
grew up, most of the time we are taught that these identities were treated more as things that can set
us apart from each other, rather than bring us together.
However during our discussion, we reveled in the different perspectives we each had and celebrated
how they were able to connect us as young adults. No one had the same story to tell; yet we all
listened intently as someone had something personal to share. It wasn’t the content that connected
us all, but the desire for each one of us to feel supported and safe in the environment that we were in.
When I served as an Institute Peer Leader over the summer, I lead and co-lead several discussions
that required creating a very open, safe, and trusting environment for my students. Some of the
questions that we asked made the students feel vulnerable, and in order to maintain that safety, we
utilized active listening skills—a practice that we hoped was reflected in our students. One of the most
important activities that was incorporated into our agenda is called Breaking Boundaries. This activity
was unlike most of the initiatives that take place during the weekend, which were often team-oriented,
discussion-based, and interactive. Breaking Boundaries, while prompted by questions, prohibited
dialogue and required that each member of the group listen intently due to the gravity of the
questions. Some of the experiences that our students were sharing we not ones that they had shared
with many people, if anyone at all, so it was of the utmost importance that they felt not only heard, but
listened to. My partner and I set the tone for the exercise by acting solemn. This was to convey the
seriousness of the topic. Next we laid out some ground rules for the students such as to not speak
unless they had the flashlight that we were passing around (this also meant not responding to the
student who had just shared, even if it was to say something encouraging), to not leave the room
while someone was speaking, and to stay engaged the whole time. While it can be a very difficult
exercise to participate in due its intense nature, we asked all our students to show their group
members respect. Whenever someone was done talking, my partner and I would say something very
brief such as “Thank you for sharing” so that the student knew that we acknowledged and appreciated
them speaking up because it can be an extremely hard thing to do, especially among people they’d
only known for a couple days.
130. Student will show knowledge of HDF 412 Crucial Conversations In HDF 412, we studied crucial conversations and their importance in being an effective leader.
techniques for working with difficult Active Listening Wanting to apply my knowledge of having one to a personal situation at work, I sought out other
people resources to diffuse these discrepancies. I found an article entitled How to Communicate Effectively
and Deal with Difficult People by Preston Li, which outlines ten steps in dealing with difficult people.
The first step is listen fully to what they have to say—this can be enhanced by utilizing active listening
skills, which could perhaps incorporate body language to show them that you’re 100% engaged in
their side, for the purpose to listen, and not for the purpose to react. The second step is to stay calm.
Even when the situation seems to be quickly derailing, stay as calm as possible. Fighting anger with
anger will likely escalate the situation. Thirdly, try not to judge the other person. Though it is not
always an excuse, that person could be going through something troubling that could be activating
their fight or flight response, and they may not know how to express their distress. The fourth step is
to reflect respect and dignity toward the other person. Even if the other person is being unkind, always
keep the situation as level as possible. Talking down to the other person will diminish credibility
between both parties and will certainly not solve the issue any quicker. The next step is to look for the
hidden need: what is really going on with this person? Is their stress something that is surface level or
a result of a deeper issue? The sixth step is to look for others around who may help. Sometimes
having a buffer or another person's opinion can diffuse the situation in ways that you didn't initially
think of. Seventh is to not demand compliance. Acknowledge that this person has a right to feel upset.
Even though their reaction may not be the way you would have expressed yourself, telling someone to
"calm down” will typically enhance their frustration. On the same note, saying “I understand” can
sometimes make matters worse too. If the difficult person can see that you're actively trying to
empathize with them, it might be easier for them to tell you what's wrong. Alternatively, saying that you
understand may come off as a disregard for their feelings and insinuate that you only care about the
outcome. The ninth step is to avoid smiling, as this may be interpreted as mocking and being
insensitive. Finally, the article cites to not act defensively. When dealing with a difficult person, it's
easy to take things personally. Remain level and firm, but in a respectful way.
133. Student will describe personal examples of HDF 415 Peer Mentoring As a FLITE Peer Mentor this spring, I was able to witness my small group go through the stages of
group development in use (Tuckman/ FLITE Tuckman's Group Development Model. The first stage, forming, occurred the day that all the Peer
Tuckman & Jensen, Bennis or others). Walk A Mile in Her Shoes Mentors announced the small groups for the class. My small group was very awkward. While they
Group Development Model were polite, they were very shy and didn’t say much to each other, or me. At this point in the class we
hadn't laid out their projects so they were unsure of what the future would bring. When they decided
on a service project to present in April, they underwent the storming stage. They decided on an event
called Walk A Mile in Her Shoes, but after class, one student expressed her disinterest in the project
for personal reasons. Some of the other students became frustrated because the plan was no longer
certain and her ambition for another project was out of the question for some of the team members.
At this point I thought it was best that I intervene in order to relieve some of the stress that my group
was going through. I told them that there were other options without a workload that was too heavy,
and that as long as they worked together at the same time, they would reach their goal. After a few
weeks, they entered the norming stage. Each team member knew what was expected of them. They
divided up the components from the rubric so everyone had something to contribute. They decided to
go through with the original project but made accommodations for the group member who was
originally uncomfortable. Finally, my group presented their project to the class, and their progress was
so apparent. They were all extremely well spoken, they transitioned smoothly, had done plenty of
research, and collaborated well. They even created small video to showcase their experience at the
event. Our adjourning stage happened during the last FLITE class. This was the last time that this
group of students would probably ever work together because the course was ending. Some students
were excited about the tools that they had gained from the material we worked on, and others were
sad that FLITE was over because they had so much enjoyed getting to know me as well as their
peers.
139. Student will describe personal examples of HDF 415 Walk A Mile in Her Shoes As a Peer Mentor this year, there was some conflict that a student brought up to me during
using the theory of Challenge and Support our one-on-one meeting. For my group’s service project, they selected an event called
(Sanford) Walk A Mile in Her Shoes, a peaceful protest that raises awareness against rape, sexual
assault, and violence against women. This student was suggesting that they participate in a
different project because she didn’t personally feel comfortable participating in an event
about sexual assault, but she also wasn’t comfortable explaining to her group members
why. Some of the other students were becoming frustrated and a little worried that they no
longer had a solid plan for their service project. I reached out to the student privately and
let her know that it wasn’t necessary for her to explain herself to the group, or even to me, if
it was triggering. Instead I told my students as a whole group that there were other options
for them to fulfill the assignment requirements that would include, empower, and support
everyone. I gave them some ideas and tips on how to go about organizing their new
project, but I thought that it was important for them to figure out the logistics and schedule
for themselves. I reminded them that I am available for them to ask questions, but that this
was their project ultimately. Of course in order for my students to grow, they need to be
challenged and pushed out of their comfort zones, which is why we have certain initiatives
in class and group projects such as this one. However, I never want to put a student in a
position that negatively affects their learning experience in ways that are damaging. If the
student doesn’t gain anything because they’ve reached their panic zone, then there’s too
much challenge and not enough support.
141. Student will demonstrate proficiency in HDF 190 FLITE graduation At our FLITE graduation, I was asked to present my Leadership Portfolio as a
informative and persuasive public speaking representative of my class’s section. The purpose of me presenting a speech about my
portfolio was so that I could inform the audience of the effects that the leadership minor has
had on its students. First I introduced myself and declared my majors and minor, as well as
my strengths and values. I briefly touched upon my involvement on campus because I
returned to it later as it related to my outcomes. A Leadership Portfolio, which every FLITE
student makes, incorporates our best outcomes from the five categories of leadership. I
discussed my motives behind completing these outcomes, how I used my strengths and
values to help me better understand and how I lead, and demonstrate the activities and
organizations that I’m involved in. I went through the outcomes one by one and ultimately
explained all the opportunities being in this minor has given me, and all the benefits I've
attained through my continuation with FLITE and CSLD.
144. Student will show knowledge of preparing HDF 413 Most interviews for any sort of job or position, especially if the position includes overseeing other
for and effective answers in interviews (as URI Leadership Institute Peer people, should be conducted and treated professionally. In order to make a positive first impression, it
the interviewee) Leader Interview is important to present oneself as someone who looks prepared for the job and wants it.
Wearing nice attire conveys the seriousness and respect of the interviewee. Most interviews are, of
course, personal, so preparing to talk about oneself is helpful, especially prior experience and
strengths that one believes are important to contribute. For example, during my URI Leadership
Institute Peer Leader interview, I talked about my Gallup Strengths and my prior experience at
Institute as a first year student and related it to how I could serve the Institute team. If the interviewee
has no prior experience or personal connections to the post, conducting research on what the job
entails and about the organization/company depicts interest. For most positions, it helps to bring a
resume and a list of recommendations to advocate for one’s capability to hold the job.
152. Student will describe ways to build HDF 190, HDF Peer Leader Individual In my experience, the key to building a positive relationship between leaders and
relationships between leaders and 415 Meetings members is acting both as a mentor, and as a friend by showing personal interest in the
members growth of the group members. Our FLITE peer mentor accomplished this by setting up
FLITE
personal meetings with us to talk about our feelings toward being first year students, how
Active Listening she could help us complete our work, and any concerns we had about the class. When
we were working on our Servant Leadership project, she offered to stay in the library with
us and listen to our presentation, and she invited us to write outcomes with a group of
other peer mentors in case we had questions. For Valentine’s Day, she brought us each a
personalized card. In our group chat she always reminded us of when assignments were
due and any opportunities we could take advantage of in order to improve our grades or
gain experience. During the last day of class, she presented us with superlatives, which
definitely increased our personal connections with her, as well as small stuffed animals
because our group name was “The Danimals.”
In my experience, the best way to build relationships between leaders and members is
taking an interest in each member as an individual, and more than a general group
member. Debriefing techniques such as a celebration circle and the web allow leaders to
recognize the specific accomplishments of their individual group members, affording the
group members a more personalized experience with the leader. Another way to build
relationships between leaders and group members is to practice active listening. An
effective leader leads by example, so by doing simple things like maintaining eye contact,
nodding, and providing words of reassurance allows the group member to feel
recognized. This can be done in a group or one-on-one. The most important thing a
leader can do for their members is help them to feel empowered, which recognition and
listening will enhance.
158. Student will describe principles of effective HDF 415 FLITE Peer Mentoring In HDF415, we have established exactly what is expected of us in terms of how we interact with our
mentoring, as well as problems particular HDF 190 students, and how we define “mentor.” Our role is to be approachable enough that they feel free to
to the mentoring relationship ask questions even outside of class, which some may hesitate to do with a professor. However, we
aren’t supposed to be too approachable in that they regard us the same way as their friends, or rely
on us too much for answers. Sometimes those lines become blurred and the student-mentor
relationship is too close, or the student feels isolated because they have absolutely no connection to
their mentor. Right away I informed my students of the boundaries I wanted to set, which included not
connecting on social media in order to maintain the right balance that I expect of myself as a mentor.
One of the principles that I’ve learned so far is to know when to step back and let my students be
accountable for their own actions. At first, I wanted to remind them every time they had an
assignment due and offer help and examples. However, I learned that they needed to take that
initiative for themselves and not rely so heavily upon me telling them what to do. A good mentor
guides students in the right direction, rather than showing them exactly what to do. Another principle
I’ve learned is preparedness. If I expect my students to look ahead at their syllabus, I need to look
ahead at theirs too, and also communicate with my fellow Peer Mentors about activities or lessons
they may be leading, as well as the location of class so that my students know that I am taking my role
seriously. I’ve also laid out my availability so that my students know when they can talk to me if they
have questions, or if they have outcomes of their own that they want me to review so that they know
they’re on the right track.
160. Student will describe principles of effective HDF 415 FLITE Peer Mentoring This past year, I’ve had some fantastic opportunities to serve as a Peer Leader, a role that has been
peer leadership, as well as problems Leadership Institute 2017 both rewarding and challenging. From my experiences, I have been able to assess that effective peer
particular to peer leadership leadership is based on being relatable and approachable—after all Peer Mentors are students
themselves. That being said, peer mentorship is also effective when appropriate boundaries are set. I
love being a Peer Mentor because it has afforded me the opportunity to get to know each of my
students as individuals, and relate to them in ways that allow meaningful connections to be made in
order to strengthen our relationships. These relationships make it so that I can focus on their
individual strengths and values so I can support them with aspects that they struggle with, but also
acknowledge their progress with areas in which they thrive. However, something that I had to be
mindful of that arose during my role as a Peer Mentor was personal boundaries. In order to maintain
a professional relationship with my students, we refrained from connecting on social media until our
adjourning class. This was difficult because as a FLITE Peer Mentor, I had incredible students that
were kind, funny, and bright, and I knew that I very much wanted to be their friend while I was still their
mentor. We also refrained from talking about things in our lives that were too personal. During my
casual discussions with the group, and also one-on-ones, I discouraged talking about things like
romantic relationships and parties (unless it was affecting their coursework or mental health) because
I felt like that breached a level of personal boundaries, and also could possibly affect my credibility as
a responsible leader. Another issue that arose was that some of my students tried to take advantage
and get away with things that they knew that would elicit a different response from Allie. There were a
few instances in which they didn’t complete forum posts or turned in certain assignments late but
texted me asking to extend the deadline, instead of speaking with Allie. A couple times when they
were required to dress professionally, they argued with me even though I know they would never
speak that way to a teacher. I had to be firm with them and remind them of what we expect of them in
this course and how its purpose is to prepare them for life outside school, and in order to do that they
need to have a more adult mindset.
I also served as a Leadership Institute Peer Leader in 2017. When we returned to school, even
though the weekend was over, I told them that while they were still first-year students I wanted to
maintain a level of professionalism. I wanted to take a step back and let them transition into that
college environment on their own. A few of them reached out to go to parties together, but I said no. I
still checked up on them when I saw them around campus and made it clear that I was here if they
needed help or support, but that a friendship couldn't be formed until after their first year at URI.