Guess Who is Guess Who is Coming to College?Coming to College?

Guess Who is Guess Who is Coming to College?Coming to College?

Dr. Ginny BarnesDr. Ginny Barnes

Generation Y…• Soviet Union has never existed as is about as

scary as the student union.• They have known only two presidents.• “You sound like a broken record” or “ring it

up” means nothing to them.• There’s no such thing as a busy signal or no

answer at all.• Coffee has always taken longer to make than

a milkshake. • Computer, internet, cell phone--not

technology, just part of life.

Generation “Y”• Born 1980-1994• Children of 78 Million Baby Boomers• More diverse • 60 million strong & enormously powerful• $200 Billion market• Market savvy• Technologically savvy

Generation Comparisons

•Matures 1902-45•Baby Boomers 1946-64•Generation X 1965-79•Generation Y 1980-94•Generation Z 2000’s

Generation Y Profile• Later children of Boomers.• Time of economic growth and personal

wealth.• Menu driven society.• Many exposed to busy schedules and

activities.• Lots of things given to them.• World not as safe.

“Y” Formative Experiences

• School shootings,/Oklahoma City/ 911• Clinton/Lewinsky• AIDS, drugs• Technology • Child focused world• Growth in diversity• MTV/Talk Shows/ Reality TV

Product of Postmodern World

• “We live in the postmodern world, where everything is possible and almost nothing is certain.”

• Vaclav Havel, former president of Czech Republic

Product of Different Social Reality

• “…their postmodern sensibilities and consumer approach to education may be a remarkably poor fit with what schools traditionally offer…

• And be very different from faculty and staff from another generation.”

• Dr. Mark Taylor, ASU

Next “HERO” Generation?

• Extraordinarily well rounded.• High self esteem.• Desire Fame and Fortune.• Civic Minded.• Achievement oriented.

OR “ME” Generation?• What’s in it for me?• Uninterested in tradition?• Focused on what it takes to get

where you want to go.• Self fulfillment.• Raised to believe could do anything,

but may not know how to get there.

Seven Core Traits 1. Achievement Goals: Money, Fame,

Leadership.2. Parent Connection.3. Consumers and Net-workers.4. Psychological and Physical Comfort.5. Basic Life Skills and Ethical Values.6. Attention Span and Communication.7. Diversity and Adaptability.

1. Leadership and

Achievement• Optimistic about their future.• Cynical about current leadership.• Build trust one day at a time.• Civic minded; prone to acts of service• Free agent mindset: can do it “my way”.• Achievement oriented: I can do anything.• Less loyalty to organization.

2. Parent Connection

• Parents act as helicopters, (Black Hawk?) rescue shock and awe!

• High expectation of being cared for and being served.

• High sense of entitlement.• Parent Interface Offices

3. Consumerism, Networking and

Power.• Money, status, networking are

important.• Northwestern Mutual Poll stated:• 73% “ think they are likely to

afford lifestyle they grew up in.”• 26% “having more money is what

would improve their lives forever.”

Consumer Orientation

Pew Research Center Poll, January, 2007:

• 81% “ Getting rich is their most important goal.”

• 51% “Being famous is their most important goal.”

Gallup Panel Survey, December, 2006: • 74%: “Being financially well off was very

important” (41.9% in 1967).

Consumer of Education• Entertainment• Negotiate the best deal• Instant gratification• Syllabus like sticker price on car• Paid my fee; get my grade

Consumer Negotiations

• Outspoken and not afraid to challenge authority.

• Respond negatively to threats of discipline or consequences.

• Apt to leave/drop the class/change products if not being treated fairly.

• Apt to “network” or negotiate to solve a problem.

In the Marketplace• Respond to warp speed in music,

language, lifestyle.• Early adopters and innovators.• Shop on line (estimate $7.4 billion).• Frequent upgrading.• Products disposable.

4. Physical & Psychological

Comfort• Highly motivated to seek physical

and emotional comfort.• Confident; desire praise.• Silence is often seen as negative

response.• Desire immediate feedback.• Control over environment matters.

Psychological Needs• Self esteem is superficially high, yet

shallow and fragile.• High achieving, yet don’t know how to

fail.• Increase in panic attacks. • Confident, yet pressured.• Increasing numbers seek mental health

services.• Preserving self really important.

5. Basic Life Skills and Ethical Values.• Reported disturbing lack of:

– critical thinking, – problem solving, – risk taking, – long term planning, – ethical values– character development

• Doing more important than knowing: access knowledge that always changing.

Ethical Values• Respect for diversity; high tolerance

for different values.• Global perspective. • Spinning the message vs truth

telling.• Entitlement vs earning reward.• Avoiding consequences.

6. Learning and Communication

• Bored easily and need new challenges. • Fast Paced; get it done attitude.• Chronically stimulated, but don’t know

how to deal with dead time.• Decline in undivided attention span.• Feedback is immediate and honest.• Instant gratification.

Hyperlink Communication and

Thinking• Have “loopy” thinking and

“hyperlink” or “hopscotch” from one idea to another.

• Old linear patterns don’t work anymore.

• Multi-focused; Multi-task• Manage many ideas at one

time.

Preferred Learning Methods

• Variety different methods in addition to didactic lecture.

• Interactive, hands on diverse work groups, new material, independent reading and web based learning.

• Trust was significant influence on learning.

Student Learning• Student engagement• Real life application• Creativity & activity• Multiple learning options• Applicable assessments:

portfolios, projects etc.

Learning •“Learning needs to be eye-popping, ear-ringing, nose-tingling, mouth-watering, finger-licking good.”

7. Diversity & Adaptability

• Familiar with different lifestyles, cultures.

• Adaptable to new situations and expectations.

• Pragmatic about “doing what is necessary”.

• Willing to take a “better offer.”

“Generation Y” in 12 Words

• Impatient• Entitled• Wary/cautious• Skeptical• Cynical• Net-workers

• Stressed• Fast paced• Adaptable• Consumers• Relational• Self focused

Values • Openness• Efficiency• Friendships• Excellence• Diversity• Access

• Meaningful• Justice• Opportunity• Attention• Reward• Comfort

To Mentor Generation “Y”

• Be consistent & set clear written and verbal expectations.

• Discuss and reinforce logical consequences.

• Model and teach character development.

• Create opportunity for feedback; change.

To Mentor Generation “Y”

• Accommodate diverse needs.• Coach leadership roles.• Provide rewarding relational

environments opportunities.• Get creative in teaching styles:

technology, scheduling, etc• Prepare for parent scenarios.

Our Colleges Must Assess and Evaluate

• Leadership & Policies• Student Services• Admissions Processes• Recruiting & Marketing Service• Classroom teaching/management• Faculty & Staff Support/training• Technology Services• Campus Philosophy

Creating a revised college climate is the challenge of serving Generation Y. This will require active participation of every member of the college community working to establish policies, teaching and service strategies that contribute to overall student development, learning and life success.

The Challenge