Students

Service to Students

Narrative and Evidence Supporting Contributions to Student Growth and Development

Criterion 4 narrative: a discussion of advising and other forms of student support

Advising

I was the sole academic advisor to all our MS students until AY21. I carry a full caseload of MS advisees. I meet with each advisee yearly in the spring and as needed or requested. In the Flipgrid below (see link and instructions), four program graduates reflect on their experience of my advising.

https://flipgrid.com/7e6b656d

The Flipgrid responses can be accessed via link the link above. If you are asked to sign in, choose “Join with Microsoft”, enter your StarID@minnstate.edu and password and authenticate.

Student Association Advising

I advised the Alcohol and Drug Counseling Student Association (ADCSA), with Dr. Goonetilleke as co-advisor, in AY21. It was a pleasure to support the dedicated student leaders, who worked hard to keep the ADCSA going through a tough pandemic year. One success was the 2021 Walk for Recovery, which brings together the Twin Cities metro recovery community. The ADCSA has had a team for several years. This year, they met their fundraising goal.

ADCSA Fundraising Page for the Walk for Recovery

Another success that I had a small role in facilitating was students getting organized to participate in the MARRCH conference in AY21 and AY22. This is a resume-builder for our students and a great event for connecting with internship sites.

3 conference attendees
The ADCSA VP with Dr. Goonetilleke and me

Prospective Applicant Consultation

One thing I will miss about being MS programs director is meeting individually with prospective applicants. Whether in-person, by phone or over Zoom, each of these conversations has been a privilege. Has the individual already chosen Metro? Great, let’s talk about your next steps. Are they interested and need more information? Let’s get your questions answered. Are they in the midst of discerning the right path for themselves? Let’s explore your options together. I love creating spacious conversations that serve the individual. People remember that you were excited to talk with them, help them along the way and not try to hard-sell you. It’s one of the joys of being the face of the program.

Scholarship and Internship Stipend Opportunities

I am a paycheck contributor to the University Foundation. My contributions go toward scholarships specifically for students in our graduate and undergraduate programs. I encourage others to do the same.

I was pleased to attend the 2019 Scholarship Celebration.

I have long been an advocate for paid internships for counseling students. Unpaid field experiences represent a key equity issue In the past year and a half, I’ve been working more actively to see what options are out there. I’ve put in an application with the Foundation. I’ve talked with the NAADAC national office, the MARRCH Executive Director and various other leaders in the field about it. I’m excited that our practicum coordinators work with the tiny number of providers that pay interns. American Recovery Plan money has helped.

Finally, one exciting opportunity arose this year, as I consulted on and assisted Allina’s efforts to secure a DHS grant for paid internships for BIPOC students. The grant was awarded and our practicum coordinators are now working with Allina on the next steps. What makes us especially proud is that the entire effort has been and is headed up by a Metro graduate! Her letter addressing my part in the process can be found among the support letters on the home page (Rosa).