Brycen Waters Professor Daly Internship Report April 25, 2012

For the past two weeks I have very busy wrapping up my internship and the various assignments that I have been given. First off, I completely finished my research paper about sophomore retention. I chose to write the paper about Arthur Chickerings theory of the Seven Vectors of Student Development and Nancy Schlossbergs Transition Theory and how they apply to sophomore retention. I made arguments such as with Chickerings theory, if students do not reach certain vectors as quickly as other students, it may be discouraging and they may be hesitant about returning to college. Also, the challenge of being unsure of who you are as a person in a college community can be a very difficult task to overcome. These reasons can challenge retention rates at colleges and universities across the country. Nancy Schlossbergs Transition Theory also applies to sophomore retention rates because students are challenged with many problems of transitioning through adulthood. If they are unwilling to cope and deal with transitioning their developmental process may be hindered. This paper has given me valuable skills in researching a particular topic related to student development and applying what Ive learned and already know to a particular topic. Along with finishing my research paper, I also presented to the Student Activities Council (SAC) on transitioning between executive boards and passing on power. This presentation was very much needed and relevant to the organization because over the past two weeks they have been working on transitioning between this years executive board and next

years executive board. My presentation focused on the role that general members, along with those in positions of power have in making it an easy transition. Also, the steps that need to be taken in order for the organization not to take a step back were covered. The presentation was met with allot of positive feedback from Advisor Jennifer Craig and the Student Activates Council as a whole. All in all, their transition period has been a success so far. Finally, I have been working on creating a Transitioning Guide Book for Clubs and Organizations here on Campus. I am creating this in a newsletter format that has 4 pages in total. It covers topics such as the importance of holding club retreats and transitional periods, why developing a clubs mission and vision statements can benefit a club in the short and long term, effective leadership skills, and ways to improve club recruitment, involvement, and retention. I have also included 3 special sections including Hyatts Five Traits of an Authentic Leader in a pyramid styled format, Tuckmans Theory of Group Development, and finally Words of Wisdom from current student leaders and advisors on what they feel is the most important thing to focus on when transitioning between executive boards. This Guidebook will be finished within the next few days. In the remaining days of my internship I will be wrapping up everything that I have focused on in this report along with writing on reflection paper on my experience with advising. This will all be collected onto my ePortfolio, documenting my time as Celias intern.