The first week of the new year has demonstrated that winter has, indeed, arrived. Monday barely got out of the teens, and Tuesday’s sun couldn’t erase temperatures well below freezing. In this arctic context, I read with great interest an article about a research study out of Northwestern University: “How ‘Chilly’ Universities Erode Student Confidence.”
Researchers studied students exposed to different types of statements about their university’s commitment to helping low income students succeed. Promotional statements that stressed the availability of financial aid or federal work-study were coded as “warm.” Statements touting the amount of money donated by alumni or parents, or the small percentage of students needing financial aid were coded as “chilly.”
Low-income students in the studies reported greater levels of academic confidence and expectations when they received the “warm” messages. They saw themselves as high achievers who belonged at the universities.
In the studies, the researchers intentionally subjected the students to the “warm” and “chilly” messages, but the results made me think about the many messages we send our students every day.
At the beginning of each fall, our “welcome brigade” offers an intentionally warm welcome to our new and returning students, and like me, you’ve probably seen the surprised smiles these simple “hello” or “good morning/afternoon/evening” bring. The student-organized “Weeks of Welcome” that kick-off the fall semester are similarly warm.
And, then the rush of the term begins, and it can be harder to keep the chill away, but we do. Whether it’s the hushed hallway conversation, the guided walk to the correct office, the stolen moments after or before a class, the Starfish message of praise, or even the pause to point in the right direction: you keep MCC warm and welcoming. The importance of this cannot be overstated. For many of our students, education has been a series of chilly messages; they sometimes come to us in layers of negative experiences that weigh them down, bury their confidence, and dampen their dreams. You have the opportunity to change that trajectory, and you take it each and every day. You help our students know that they belong, they can achieve, they can be inspiring.
It may be below freezing outside, but inside MCC, we shine brightly, growing great minds and future leaders. Thank you for making the new year a new beginning for our students!
How else do you think we can send “warm” messages of welcome to our students? Share your thoughts in the blog.
Anne M. Kress
Office of the President
01/06/2016 |