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NACADA Annual 2016 Double Dose First Gen 1

Double Dose First Gen: Achieving a Sense of Belonging as a First Generation American and First Generation College Student

Tara Connolly, M.A. & Sione Lavaka, B.ANACADA Annual Conference October 8, 2016

A couple of double-dose first-gens . . .

Sione Lavaka

Pre-Professional AdvisorTruckee Meadows Community CollegeReno, NV

Tara Connolly

International Services Program ManagerTruckee Meadows Community CollegeReno, NV

W ill run for food!

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NACADA Annual 2016 Double Dose First Gen 2

Cultural Dimensions Theory• Geert Hofstede – Dutch social

psychologist• Research focused on cross-cultural

groups, organizations, and communication

• Systematic framework for assessing and differentiating national cultures

• National culture approach is ecological rather than individual

Cultural Differences

Power Distance

Individual vs Collective

Masculinity vs

Femininity

Uncertainty Avoidance

Short vs Long Term Orientation

Indulgence vs Restraint

“Culture is the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one group from another.”

~Geert Hofstede

Cultural Dimensions• High vs low power distance

• Equality vs inequality• Individualism vs collectivism

• “I” vs “We”• Masculinity vs femininity

• Values• Uncertainty avoidance index

• Degree of discomfort with uncertainty and ambiguity• Long vs Short Term Orientation

• Preference to maintain time-honored traditions vs encouraging efforts in modern education as a way to prepare for the future

• Indulgence vs Restraint• Allowance for or restraint against relatively free gratification of basic and

natural human drives related to enjoying life and fun

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NACADA Annual 2016 Double Dose First Gen 3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100 91

30

20

46 48

3225

14

68

97

24

42

26

42

0

Cultural Dimensions Comparison

Individualism vs Collectivism Indulgence vs Restraint

Strengths-Based Advising

• Method to engage students in the learning process and motivate them to fulfill their potential.

• Instead of focusing on "risk factors," student and advisor focus on the student's strengths.

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NACADA Annual 2016 Double Dose First Gen 4

Strengths-Based Advising

1. Identify students’ talents2. Affirm students’ talents and

increase awareness of strengths

3. Envision the future4. Plan specific steps for students to

reach goals

5. Apply students’ strengths to challenges

Cultural View of Strengths-Based Advising

Strengths & Challenges

• Identifies students’ talents

• Planning specific steps for students

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NACADA Annual 2016 Double Dose First Gen 5

Appreciative Advising“Appreciative Advising is the intentional collaborative practice of asking positive, open-ended questions that help students optimize their educational experiences and achieve their dreams, goals, and potentials. It is perhaps the best example of a fully student-centered approach to student development.”

Cultural View of Appreciative AdvisingStrengths• Truly student centered• Explores possibilities• Facilitates relationship

development• Supports student through

growth mindset

Challenges• Discover may feel like prying• Future vs present oriented• Exploration of dreams may lead to

stress between student and family• Don’t settle – yet place may be

predetermined

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NACADA Annual 2016 Double Dose First Gen 6

Sense of Belonging

IdentifyHeritage

☛ Appearance☛ Behaviors☛ Name

CulturalKnowledge

☛ Communication☛ Dimensions☛ Norms

BuildingRapport

☛ Donotassumeanything☛ Culturalsensitivity☛ DDFG?

MeetIndividualNeeds

☛ Deepknowledgeoftheory☛ Adjustpractices☛ Support

The Double-Dose Approach

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NACADA Annual 2016 Double Dose First Gen 7

DDFG From Start to Finish• DDFG Pakistani-American• College experience• Advising approach• Outcome

55

14

5070

50

0

40

91

6246

26

68

020406080

100

PD Ind vs. Col M vs F UA L vs S I vs R

Cultural Dimensions

Pakistan United States

Conclusion• Double-dose first gen: first generation American and

first generation college student• Consider each student’s unique perspective on a sense

of belonging• Critically examine advising styles

through a cultural lens• Inquire about culture rather

than assume

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NACADA Annual 2016 Double Dose First Gen 8

Reflection• What role did your cultural identity play in your college

student experience?

• What role does your cultural identity play in how you advise students today?

• How does an exploration of “double dose first gen” affect your role as an advisor?

References• Schreiner, L.A. (2013). Strengths-based advising. In J.K. Drake, P. Jordan, & M.A. Miller, M.A.

(Eds.), Academic advising approaches: Strategies that teach students to make the most of college (pp. 105-117). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

• Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2013). Appreciative advising. In J.K. Drake, P. Jordan, & M.A. Miller, M.A. (Eds.), Academic advising approaches: Strategies that teach students to make the most of college (pp. 83-99). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

• Jandt, F.E. (2013). An introduction to intercultural communication: Identities in a global community. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications

• Bloom, J.L., Hutson, B.L., & He, Y. (2008). The appreciative advising revolution. Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing

• http://geert-hofstede.com/national-culture.html

Sione Lavaka – slavaka@tmcc.eduTara Connolly – tconnolly@tmcc.edu