Course Description:
This three week short course is geared to entry-level and mid-level staff and will provide participants with the opportunity to focus on core supervisory skills such as 1) supervisory communication and successful meetings, 2) goal-setting and expectations, 3) generational issues, 4) supervising diverse staff, 5) performance appraisals and 6) staff motivation. Through readings, participation on a discussion board, and case studies, participants will explore basic tenets crucial for successful supervision of both student and professional staff.
This course is presented in conjunction with the Web site Reslife.Net.
Course Outline:
The first week will provide participants with the principles, philosophies, and basic skills of supervision.
The second week will cover specific supervisory skills. Skill
development will focus on the following:
Communication and meetings
Goal-setting and Expectations
Feedback and Evaluation
The third week will cover additional supervisory issues and skills in the following areas:
Generational issues
Supervising diverse staff
Recognition, Motivation, and Team Building
Course Objectives:
Participants will gain an understanding regarding supervisory principles and philosophy, supervisory skills, and selected supervisory issues. Participants will be able to identify a personal philosophy of supervision, express clear expectations, learn motivational techniques, and understand how to provide formal and informal performance feedback. Additionally, participants will be able to identify and understand issues related to supervising specific populations of staff.
Expectations of Participants:
Participants should expect to devote approximately 12-15 hours on the course (4-5 hours for each of the three week modules). Assignments will include selected readings and short exercises. Active participation in online discussions is expected of each participant.
Discussion Thread: Twice each week the instructor will post a new supervisory question or case study. Participants will be expected to read the questions and case studies, post their thoughts, and react to other students' postings. All discussion threads will be asynchronous, meaning that students may check in and post at their convenience.
Individuals registering for CEUs will receive 1.0 CEU upon successful
completion of the course.
Instructor Bio:
Wendy M. Wallace is currently freelancing from the greater Seattle area for student affairs organizations. Most recently, she worked at Colorado State University as an Assistant Director of Residence Life for Staff and Administration. She has supervised residence life staff members for seven years and during that time earned her Master's Degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Colorado State University. She has also served in student affairs and residence life roles at Western Washington University and Yakima Valley Community College.
