Applying a Ministry MindsetImplications for your academic advising practice

AASK Conference2015

Your presenters

• Michael MacLean @MicaroniMacLeanCampus Minister at St. Thomas More College

• Richard Medernach @RichMedernachManager of Student Experience and Enrollment at St. Thomas More College

What does it mean to care?

• Recall a time you felt cared for. What made that time important to you?

• Recall a time you took care of somebody. What made that time important to you?

Facets ofComprehensive MinistryCanadian Catholic Campus Ministry www.cccm.ca

Comprehensive Ministry Mindset Includes

• Pastoral Care

• Hospitality

• Vocations

• Justice and Service/Community Involvement

• Lectures

• Catechesis

• Leadership Development

• Campus Presence

• Ecumenical and MultifaithInvolvement

See – Judge - ActBeing a reflective practitioner

Pastoral Care

• In what ways can I remind myself that each student I receive is coming from a particular place with a particular story and particular needs?

• Am I able to see the student as a whole person, as opposed to a number, or worse, as a problem?

Hospitality

• What does my advising space look like?

• Is it welcoming to students?

• Are they made to feel at home in my office space?

Vocations

• Do I take the time to listen to students’ career plans?

• Do I have the resources to refer them to the right place when they articulate their future plans?

Teaching as Career and Vocation panelheld at STM

Service & Justice or Community Involvement

• Am I aware of community activities and events that students may benefit from?

• Am I aware of volunteering opportunities on my campus or in the wider community?

• Am I aware of community service opportunities that exist for students as they graduate?

STM Just Youth Group

Lectures / Workshops / Retreats

• Am I aware of lectures, film screenings and workshops that are coming up that might benefit students?

Catechesis

• Do I think of advising as a teaching and learning process?

• Am I open to teachable moments that arise in advising sessions?

• Do I create them?"In every casual conversation, with every student, there may be a chance to throw in an illuminating word, to sow an inspirational thought."

- Fr. Henry Carr, C.S.B. STM President, 1942-1949

Leadership Development

• In what ways can the students that I receive lend their gifts and talents to take on leadership roles in your context?

• Am I aware of all the leadership opportunities that exist for the students I advise?

Campus Presence

• Is the only place students have the opportunity to see me in my advising space?

• Are there events or activities on campus in which I can participate that will help me better understand students’ perspectives?

Nothing breaks down barriers like a Bon Jovi song

Ecumenical & Multifaith Involvement

• In what ways can I remind myself that not only is each student I receive is coming from a particular place with a particular story, but that story may also include a unique religious or cultural perspective?

• Working with other departments and units can be a bit like working ecumenically.

• You need to recognize your own bias/perspective and be open to other ways of thinking in order to foster dialogue

Concluding DiscussionThank you for your participation.