Last May, I marked 25 years in higher education, with 24 of those years in student support or learning roles. Over time, I’ve seen many great initiatives fade away, losing all the hard work and goodwill they had built up. Don’t want that to happen to you? Well, here are my top tips to ensure your program continues.
1. Know what happens when
Avoid getting overwhelmed by mapping out what needs to happen and when. Weekly mini to-do lists help me manage tasks effectively and keep my stress levels in check and while avoiding mistakes.
2. Network regularly
Insularity is your enemy. Keep reaching out to promote, fund, and support your program. In U:PASS, I encourage student leaders to meet with academics each semester to build trust, keep the program visible and show the quality of our team, as well as supporting academics and learning initiatives with U:PASS leaders as appropriate.
3. Systematically evaluate
In U:PASS we provide both qualitative and quantitative reports each semester to show the impact both on well being and grades. Struggling to evaluate? Delegate! My senior student leaders help compile these reports, which I then review and disseminate.
4. Engage passion
In our training, we start with a review of the historical roots of PASS: the Civil Rights movement in the 50s and 60s. This helps to connect leaders to the program’s bigger purpose and history.
5. Consider student participants as future leaders
Those who have benefited from the program often become the best leaders. Previous mentees can become mentors and coordinators, sustaining the program with minimal support. This happened really well in a pre-COVID mentoring program I was involved in, and I continue to have experienced leaders care for my newbies each semester. Also, there’s no way I could sustain my passion without the ongoing enthusiasm of each generation. It’s one of the great benefits of student-facing work.
6. Write it down
Keep your processes and procedures up to date. Documentation is crucial for smooth management, especially during transitions of personnel. I must confess that I’ve been madly writing and updating the U:PASS procedures as I prepare to go away.
7. Know when to take a break
Recognize when you need rest. After my mother’s illness and passing last year, I have once again realised the importance of taking leave to recharge, and so I’ll be taking 6 months off soon.
At the next FFYE Forum, we will explore ways of embedding and sustaining Students as Partners projects into our practice. Hear more from Georgina Baratt-See, alongside Sascha Jenkins, Francesca Harrison, Gavin Paul and Misha Damon, at a panel discussion as part of this event. Register here: