Reimagining Counseling Structures

The following activity is intended to help teams assess their intention in reimagining counseling, identify a focus area, and generate steps toward achieving that identified goal.

Part 1.a: Reflection

Time

Activity

Comments

20 min

Reflection: Think about an image that describes how you are feeling about the value and strength of counseling.  How can its role and function contribute to what the college is facing at this transitional moment in supporting student success?

 

What is the counseling role in GP?

 

Why do you feel it is important to reimagine counseling?

Write your key thoughts and pair-share or group share to capture common values and goals.

Group Lead

This activity can be modified depending on the number of participants and allocated time.  A small group may want to share with the entire group whereas a pair-share may be more efficient in a large group.

 *

Part 1.b: Understanding

Time

Activity

Who

Comments

40 min

Reading Jigsaw: Divide group into 4 groups. Each group read one college profile. As you are reading identify the following:

  • strong lines’*
  • phrases or strategies that resonate
  • questions raised

Share out to the whole group note important and common themes. Consider connecting to the current work at your college:

  • Look at your own landscape to connect possible initiatives with enhanced counseling support.
  • Which college profile may best support the team’s own movement?

Group Scribe

Scribe captures and confirms common themes with group consensus.

 

 

 

Close session by identifying and/or confirming the focus of the group’s work.

*based on Puente Project writing activity

Part 2.a: Examining Your Data

Time

Activity

Who

Comments

40 min

Using the data you gathered, discuss:

  • Where are there areas for improvement in counseling services, hours, locations, and structure?
  • Where are the equity populations most  impacted? Why do you think that is?
  • What would a successful counseling experience look like for the student? Where are the gaps between that and current practice?

Group Scribe

Scribe captures and confirms common themes with group consensus.

 

 

 

Close session by identifying and/or confirming the focus of the group’s work.

Part 2.b: A Path Forward

Time

Activity

Who

Comments

60 min

  • Group the areas for improvement into related areas of work

In small groups:

  • Identify a plan for further inquiry and redesign of each area of work
  • Identify key roles at the college to include in the inquiry and design

In the large group:

  • Each group shares back their plan to the larger group and gathers input and suggestions.  Revise the plan
  • Identify group leads to move each plan forward
  • Set regular large and small meeting times
  • Determine timelines for completion of a proposal for redesign that can be vetted to the larger college community

Group Scribe

Scribe captures and confirms common themes with group consensus.

 

 

 

Close session by identifying and/or confirming the focus of the group’s work.