Mentoring for New Professionals
Individuals moving into leadership roles and student affairs/student services, especially in small institutions, have the breadth of institutional and cultural knowledge and understanding but sometimes require mentoring to assist them in understanding a variety of service/discipline specific requirements for the successful transition. The professional may have the aptitude and ability yet require short-term mentoring to make the transition successful for the team, the institution, himself/herself and for the benefit of students. Mentorship can include:
Orientation to Canadian Student Affairs
Building multidisciplinary teams for teamwork and collaboration
Key performance indicators for student affairs
Integrating divisional objectives & institutional strategic plans
Blaine Jensen has had several years of mentoring new professionals in the student affairs vocation. He has provided new professionals with insights and a sounding board in a way that values personal leadership styles yet adheres to professional standards and perspectives.
The Secret to Success
A key component of student engagement is providing students with the opportunity to explore their personal strengths, expand their range of experiences, and develop principle centred and value-based leadership skills. MásAlta Education Solutions assists institutions in developing student leadership programs based on Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness.
Using these principles found in Dr. Covey’s seminal works, and using True Colors © Certified strategies, BJ Jensen has developed student leadership programs that include:
- Value-based prioritization and time management
- The art of meetings (attending and conducting)
- Self-awareness and personal leadership style
- Team dynamics and building better teams
- Communication (listening and understanding then speaking)