What I learned from my students

When I accepted the role of Academic Advisor for the Lundquist College of Business I assumed I would be doing all the teaching and guiding of students to their successful futures. After four, almost five, years of advising, winning two grants, starting a program from scratch and writing my own curriculum, I have learned a lot more from them that I could have ever imagined.

So what has founding and leading the Building Business Leaders Program and its sister student organization, the UO CEO Network, taught me? Here's my list:

1. I am just a number. Yep, I teach BA 199. It is the primary code that students look for on the course schedule. The course, only worth one credit hour (so we meet one hour a week) and there is no grade assigned to earn. So what in the WORLD would entice a student to take MY class? Their answer: Me. My passion and industry experience, my belief in their dreams and dedication to see them make small incremental steps towards becoming their greatest selves. I wake up every morning and ask myself- will I have the courage to try again today? The woman in the mirror seems to always answer, "Yes."

2. Just because I teach doesn't mean I was taught how to teach- so I better get my act together. Fast. Students are savvy, and have had access to highly qualified and exceptionally trained teachers thus far. As digital natives they know who to access many, MANY examples of what good, great and exceptional education looks and feels like. I tried to fake it and they called me on it! I rose to their challenge seeking mentors and guidance from other campus resources who could guide me to delivering an experience students expect. No, deserve.

3. Higher ed is a difficult, arduous, complicated and in many ways antiquated system. I don't know why or how it got this way. I struggle with how to make it easier. I do know that learning how to bob and weave, problem solve and stay cool and calm under pressure IS a meaningful and growing experience- period. I admire all students who make it through no matter what major or degree they end with because I have seen many fail in their attempt to do so.

4. Mind the gap. In my "hey-day" we were all trying really hard to define diversity as acceptance and celebration of our differences. Why? Because we kept each-other in nice, neat "boxes". Today many of my students don't simply identify with one "culture" they are more and more pluralistic in their identities and their circles span ever further intersections of identity. I am NOT saying racism and stereotyping are dead. I AM saying I have learned a lot about not making stereotypes and keeping my mind open at all times thanks to their beautiful weaving of life experiences.

5. "Go big, or go home." I have learned from my students how to put myself on the ledge of big thinking and dare to jump. They look to me for inspiration, to see long term vision they are just barely able to imagine. They hope I will know what to say right when they need to hear it no matter how hard or challenging it may be to voice aloud. My students need me to be honest, yet compassionate; direct, yet diplomatic. They like to call me things like "Jedi Master" and "Yoda" and they refer to me in their tweets as "#boss." It reminds me to stay honest with myself too.

All my learning stems from a) staying true to my calling to be a mentor, b) bold in my thinking and c) strong of will to be an agent for change in them, in me and in the system I serve.

If you are a student of mine, past or present, I invite you to post below and let me know how I'm doing learning in the thralls of higher ed! Will I pass your witness test??