2015 Student Assistant Training and Assessment Cycle

Dean of Students Office Student Assistant Training and Assessment Cycle
DSO Online Training
Pre-Competencies
In-Person Training
The online student assistant training gives an overview of
Prior to working in the Dean of Students Office, each
The in-person training allows all new student assistants to meet
the Dean of Students Office functional areas and their
responsibilities. During this training, student assistants
take a pre-assessment to determine their level of
knowledge about the office. After watching a series of
videos and reading through PowerPoints, the students
complete a post-assessment to compare their level of
knowledge about the Dean of Students Office.
student assistant completes a pre-competency survey that
is based on the NASPA Professional Competency Areas for
Student Affairs Practitioners. The University of Florida has
adapted these to fit with student assistants, and have
created six areas: knowledge acquisition, construction,
integration and application; cognitive complexity; practical
competence; humanitarian and civic engagement;
intrapersonal development; and interpersonal competence.
each other, understand what it means to provide a culture of care,
and comprehend the expectations/values of becoming a successful
student assistant in the Dean of Students Office. In addition, the
students are trained on specific scenarios that may occur in their
role through participating in the FISH customer service philosophy
program, StrengthsQuest program, and a variety of diversity
activities. This training allows the student assistants to reflect on
their personal goals and the goals of the Dean of Students Office.
Pre-Competencies
Fall Retreat
DSO Online
Post-Assessment
DSO Online
Pre-Assessment
Pre-Test Retreat
In-Person Training
DSO Online
Training
Post-Test
Fall Retreat
Fall Retreat
The fall retreat allows all student assistants to come
together to prepare for the upcoming academic year.
The retreat activities provide students with an
opportunity to bond through group activities while
participating in personal and professional development
activities. An assessment is sent out to the student
assistants to determine if the information the students
gained from the retreat was useful and staff utilizes the
results as recommendations for the upcoming year.
ASSESSMENT RESULTS
OVERVIEW OF THE RESULTS
More than 90 student assistants work in the Dean of Students Office
Nine of the twenty-six competency areas scored
each year. During the assessment process, student assistants were
asked to rate their level of competency based upon the skills they
developed since they started in the Dean of Students Office. All of the
percentages below are based on the student assistants that rated
themselves as Advanced (4) or Expert (5) on a Likert scale. Please note
that student assistants do not receive training on the italicized topics.
100%, thirteen competency areas scored above
85%; the remaining four competency areas scored
under 85%. The main focus of the 2015-2016
academic year has to be on those areas under 85% in
order to contribute to the holistic development of the
student assistants in the Dean of Students Office.
Knowledge acquisition,
construction, integration,
and application
Connecting knowledge
to other knowledge,
ideas, and experiences
Relating knowledge
to daily life
STUDENT ASSISTANT
TRAINING AND AS SES SMENT
Monthly Training
Student assistants participate in monthly trainings
Exit
Interview
Post-Competencies
Monthly
Training
Performance
Appraisal
Post-Competencies
Monthly Training
Post-Assessment
Exit Interview
throughout the year. These training inform students of
new happenings in the Dean of Students Office and
provide opportunities for personal and professional
growth. Monthly training sessions that are provided
include understanding diversity, resolving conflict,
knowing how to respond to a crisis, and working with
students in distress. Before leaving each training, the
students are asked to fill out a survey to determine
what they learned and what trainings they wish to
attend in the future.
Performance Appraisal
A post-competency assessment is provided to student
Exit interviews are completed with student assistants who are
Each year, student assistants in the Dean of Students
assistants who are graduating or leaving their position in the
Dean of Students Office. The staff in the Dean of Students
Office compares each student’s pre-competency results to
their post competency assessment in order to determine
their individual growth. The pre and post-competency
assessment tool is based on the NASPA Professional
Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners.
graduating or leaving their positions in the Dean of Students Office.
This is an opportunity for the students to reflect on their
experiences, give feedback, and discuss the competencies they
developed during their experiences working in the Dean of Students
Office. In addition, these exit interviews provide student assistants
with the opportunity to discuss their level of preparedness for
obtaining a job or applying for graduate/professional school.
Office complete a performance appraisal. The student
assistants and their supervisors fill out the appraisal
separately. During the evaluation meeting, the
supervisor discusses the student assistant’s strengths
and areas for growth. The performance appraisal is
used to set personal goals for each student assistant.
Performance appraisals are used to determine merit
raises amongst student employees.
Understanding and
appreciation of cultural
and human differences
Global Perspective
Cognitive Complexity
Reflective Thinking
Effective Reasoning
Creativity
Sense of Civic
Responsibility
93.33%
76.70%
93.33%
93.33%
100%
100%
86.67%
Realistic self-appraisal,
self-understanding,
and self-respect
Identity development
Commitment to ethics
and integrity
Spiritual awareness
100%
93.34%
86.66%
100%
60%
93.33%
Interpersonal Competence
Technological
Competence
100%
Meaningful
Relationships
Managing Career
Development
Demonstrating
Professionalism
Students Office student assistant program will
include activities that focus on improving or
enhancing the following competencies:
Creativity
Maintaining Health and Wellness
Global Perspective
Spiritual Awareness
Developing Meaningful Relationships
Interdependence
100%
Communicating
Effectively
Managing Personal
Affairs
During the 2015-2016 academic year, the Dean of
Intrapersonal Development
Practical Competence
Pursuing Goals
NEXT STEPS/RECOMMENDATIONS
100%
Social Responsibility
Critical Thinking
Fall Retreat
Recommendation
Survey
100%
Humanitarian and
Civic Engagement
100%
93.33%
93.33%
Maintaining Health
and Wellness
80.67%
Living a Purposeful
and Satisfying Life
93.33%
Interdependence
Collaboration
Effective Leadership
86.66%
80%
93.33%
93.33%
STUDENT VOICES
“The DSO family truly fosters an environment of care. “
-Care Area Student Assistant
“I strongly believed the DSO assisted me in helping
communicate with others, especially other students and
faculty members. It allowed me to know how to work on a
team with other staff members and to come out of my shell.”
-Collegiate Veterans Success Center Student Assistant
“I truly felt I was not just an employee, but part of a family and
felt cared for from the staff. The Dean of Students Office team
made me feel that I was not just a student assistant, but
mattered to the office and the role the Dean of Students
Office plays at the University of Florida.”
-Disability Resource Center Student Assistant
“I appreciated the opportunity to work under the same people
for several years. I felt that I was able to continue to grow and
was thankful for my supervisor’s flexibility, support outside of
the office, and the encouraging and positive atmosphere.”
-New Student and Family Programs Student Assistant
“I became less reserved over time, friendlier, and learned how
to calm upset students and combat those concerns with
genuine care.”
-Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Student Assistant
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