1. Life as Triage: Crisis, Compassion, and Resiliency in Student Affairs
Marijo Russell O’Grady, Pace University
Katie Treadwell, University of Kansas
Monday, March 5, Convention Center, ROOM#
How do Student affairs leaders balance deep desires to care for students with sustainable personal wellness? Building upon an in-depth research study and forthcoming book, this session will illuminate the personal impact of crisis response, explores wellness in the midst of professional chaos, supports staff during disasters, and shares best practices for student affairs professionals. Today, we will share diverse stories of high-profile crisis responses and explore the professional and personal struggle to maintain wellness and achieve healing when the work demands round-the-clock dedication.

2. “An institution reveals its soul during a crisis.” (Sandeen, 2006)
Art Sandeen (2006) states that that “an institution reveals its soul” during a crisis. The concept of caring for the campus community, self and others is challenging and requires attention to “dealing” with our emotions and fatigue for the long-term and for our own resiliency. Dr. Treadwell’s ground breaking study (Learning from Tragedy: A Phenomenological Study of Student Affairs Leaders Following College Campus Disasters) allowed her to interview 11 student affairs leaders on their experience with crisis, from bonfire collapse, active shooters, 9/11, hurricanes, campus fires, protests and student death.

3. “There is always grief somewhere in the room.” (Dutton et al, 2002)
The common thread from Senior Student Affairs Officers, is we give our all, 24/7/365, perceive there is no time for self-care, that we are planning, training and re-tooling for the unexpected, all while concerned about our faculty, staff and students, external partners, and managing and communicating “up” and out and down to our staff and campus partners.
Katie will discuss compassionate leadership framework here…

4. Group Reflection
What is the most significant crisis you have encountered as a student affairs leader?
What three things might you have done differently?
Which actions seem best to you now, after the crisis?
What did you learn?

5. Crisis Response Case Study
Citywide terrorism
Active shooter
Student organization accident
Natural disaster

6. Wellness Strategies for Student Affairs Leaders

7. Professional Wellness:
Leading the Team
Focus on short-term objectives. Never loose sight of the goal.
Instill optimism and self-confidence, but stay grounded in reality.
Reinforce the team message. We are one. We live or die together.
Appreciate the diversity that people bring to the table.
Minimize status differences. Insist on courtesy and mutual respect.

8. Professional Wellness:
Leading the Team
Master Conflict. Deal with anger in small doses. Engage dissidents.
Find something to celebrate. Laugh about things.
Set an example with visible, memorable symbols and behavior.
Recognize that crisis shows up for people in unique ways.
Be willing to take BIG Risks.

9. Personal Wellness
Take care of yourself. Maintain your stamina and let go of guilt.
Be proactive about self care and protective of re-fueling time.
Eat, rest, and disconnect from the phone.
Realize that the work is PTSD most of the time.
Ask yourself: What can I control? What can I not control?
Be with loved ones, family, and friends (both within and beyond student affairs) to gain clarity and rejuvenation.

10. Personal Reflection
Why was the “event” so significant for you? How will this influence future behavior?
What underlying issues (societal or interpersonal) surfaced as a result?
How have your previous experiences impacted your daily work and personal life?
How do you think campus incidents and national crises events will affect your institution?
What outside events have you studied in order to prepare your campus for crisis communications and disaster management?
How has your university has prepared faculty, students, and staff to address both campus incidents and national crises?

11. Questions? Katie Treadwell (katie.treadwell@tc.columbia.edu)
Marijo Russell O’Grady

12. Thank you for joining us today. Please remember to complete
your online evaluation
following the conference.
See you in Los Angeles in 2019!