1. Using Strengths to Build a Strong Residence Hall Community
Amy Bockelman
Maximizer
Woo
Developer
Communication
Positivity
Christina Hurtado
Activator
Empathy
Strategic
Communication
Command
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

2. You know you’re a Resident Advisor when…

3. EDCEP 311 Guidance for the Paraprofessional
Every spring, prior to first semester of employment
8 week course
Importance of role as campus leader vs. day-to-day tasks as RA
May or may not have staff members from team in class
Focus Areas (Developing identity and confidence)
Personal growth
Responsible community membership
Academic achievement

4. EDCEP 311 Utilizing Strengths Quest
Values exercise prior to Strengths
How have you developed morals/values?
Strengths is only required text
Taught over two class periods
Individual reflection
Team dynamics and the role they play

5. EDCEP 311 Utilizing Strengths Quest – Day 1
Why Strengths?
Thoughts on taking the survey
First year students
Creating a community using Strengths
“Always Me, Sometimes Me, Never Me activity”
“Picture of Excellence Worksheet”
Programming for residents

6. EDCEP 311 Utilizing Strengths Quest – Day 2
Spectrum Activities
How clean is your desk?
Going to a party
Your themes and academics
Academic conversations with resident
Relationship/Career/Future

7. EDCEP 311 Evaluation of Strengths
72% response rate
Strengths Quest was a helpful tool in the development of my leadership skills.
Strongly Disagree
2 (4.55%)
Disagree
Neutral
9 (20.45%)
Agree
10 (22.73%)
Strongly Agree
21 (47.73%)
N/R
0 (0%)

8. What was the best part of EDCEP 311?
Knowing that we as RAs are going to be able to use Strengths Quest in ResLife to creative a more inclusive environment.
the open atmosphere and strengths-quest
Strengths Quest was a very beneficial activity.
The strengths quest activity and the interactive class activities we did.
strengths quest and learning how to use our strengths effectively and learning what struggles we may have because of those strengths
Campus Resources Project, Strengths Quest, and the book "How to Lead and Still Have a Life" that I read for my book report.

9. Fall Training Planning and implementation of programs
1st six weeks of community building model
How strengths will fit into day-to-day
Bulletin Boards
Door Decs
Roommate/community conflict
Working with your hall staff

10. Plan for the year
Providing professional staff with team builders for the year
All campus leader training
Semester Evaluation
Continued training in the winter

11. Student Quotes
“It was interesting to compare my themes to academics. I think knowing your strengths could be a good tool in discovering what you want to do with your future. I think it will be interesting to utilize next year.”
“I have been very excited about realizing my strengths and learning how to use them to benefit the people around me and also the strengths of my fellow staff members. I am also glad that K-State is becoming a strengths Quest university because I think it would be extremely beneficial to my residents to do a program that involves Strengths Quest so that the [residents] can create a strong community!”