Caring (Courageously) at Scale

Like so many first-generation college students, I was profoundly impacted by the duality of my existence. On one hand, strong academic abilities secured my place at a pristine, private college set against the backdrop of an “unprivileged minority childhood.” I grew up fast, worrying constantly about my family, about basics like food and safety. I was also keenly aware of the need to maneuver 2 distinct worlds- to be bicultural- at once staying endeared to my teachers in order to thrive while also trying to survive the uncertainty and dangers of inner-city life.

Now, a seasoned, first-generation university educator, I know that that decision to attend college 2 decades ago demanded tremendous courage- to say yes to and reach for more than what I saw around me. This virtue of courage is the kind that Dr. Maya Angelou believed is key to unlocking human potential “…because without courage, you cannot practice any other virtue consistently … it is only with courage that you can be persistently and insistently kind and generous and fair."

She is also credited with saying that there are 4 unconscious questions humans ask each other: Do you see me? Do you care that I’m here? Am I enough for you, or do you need me to be better in some way? Can I tell that I’m special to you by the way that you look at me?

Since 2012, the First-Year Success Center at Arizona State University has responded with a resounding, heartfelt Yes! We are an award-winning, high-impact, dynamic Center that treats every student like a VIP through a variety of peer coaching services. This VIP approach permeates all our offerings even as we average 17,000 coaching appointments per academic year.

Do you see me? We have seen and provided solutions to a myriad of needs - validating, normalizing and helping actualize thousands of students’ lives through our personalized coaching services, through a foundational belief that they are all indeed VIPs. We have seen-vigilantly noticed the trends and gaps in services and seized the opportunity to be part of the solution via a scholar-practitioner approach, rigorous training and partnerships- embracing anyone who wants to move students closer to their dreams.

Do you care that I’m here? We have demonstrated that caring and doing so at scale is a possible and powerful best practice. We have shown that access and impact hinges of excellence in our holistic service model, program design, collaborations and daily innovated solutions to persistent problems in person and digitally, on four campuses and 7 sites. We have impacted thousands of student lives, that of their families, and of future generations.

Am I enough for you, or do you need me to be better in some way? We embrace the full student package- the diversity of student challenges and opportunities through an asset-based lens, whether they are from across the state or the world, from the reservation, or creating a first-generation legacy. Believing that every student is already enough, we seek to eradicate the imposter syndrome or other barriers that prevent them from being their best selves. Through holistic peer coaching and persistent advocacy, we mirror what is possible strengthening them with skills and resources to navigate and achieve their dreams successfully.

Can I tell that I’m special to you by the way that you look at me? We mindfully engage, keeping people as our focus thus transforming what seems like a simple transaction into an intentionally transformative interaction. One where students can exhale, are heard, coached, and empowered in ways thought only possible at small private schools. At the largest public university, we have decreased attrition and debt, increased confidence, bolstered resilience, optimized satisfaction, boosted retention and expanded life options. We have done this in a community characterized by care and courage. By being persistently and insistently kind, generous and fair, we have had immeasurable impact. The right people at the right time have changed lives. With YOUR continual courage and heartfelt yes, we will all continue to do so on our respective campuses.