In Defiance of
Darwin
A Four-Year Model to Combat the Forces of Natural Selection
and Encourage Persistence
The Old Story
• Materialistic
• Elitist
• Fatalistic
Pfeiffer University
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Private, four year liberal arts institution
Affiliated with the United Methodist Church
3 Campuses
2,000 students from 28 states and 17 countries
Achieved re-accreditation this past spring
Our Old Model
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Freshmen “Seminar”
3 SH for Conditionally admits; 1SH for all others
Information-based
Tools for the toolbox e.g., study, time-mgt & test-taking
strategies
• One semester
• Front-Loaded
Pfeiffer Journey
• Is the name of the class that is embedded in the First Year
Experience.
• It is offered as a 2 SH class in the fall, or 201A
• …and continues in the spring for 1SH, or 201B
• In addition to Pfeiffer Journey we have introduced or revised
several traditions woven throughout the academic year e.g.,
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Convocation and the senior passing of the flame
Social Mixers
Friendly competition in a Journey talent show
An Honor and Integrity Assembly
Passages event in the spring
The Pfeiffer Journey Experience also
includes:
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Coaching
The use of the EQ-I 2.0
Challenge Course
Assemblies: Inspirational; Ethics; Honor Code
Concept of a Journey
• Grown from a First Year Experience to that of a Four-year
Process
• Sophomore Seminar as a part of the general education offered
as interdisciplinary, competency based offering
• Junior Seminar offered as the same
• Each level will be linked to co-curricular experiences such as
externships, internships, research & travel
Freshman
• Theme: Equipping and preparing for the journey
• Purpose: Connecting to self and connecting to community
• Competencies: Communication & Collaboration
• Delivery: seminar and core curriculum
Sophomore
• Theme: exploration and discovery
• Purpose: Experiencing possibilities, setting forth
• Competencies: Critical thinking and information literacy
• Delivery: Interdisciplinary encouraged
Junior
• Theme: Traveler returns; returning to the center; the heroes
welcome
• Purpose: Integrating and applying
• Competencies: all four
• Delivery: team taught interdisciplinary study and problem
solving and actionable results
Senior
Theme: Launching, reaching and paying forward
What is Coaching?
Coaching is about challenging and supporting people, giving them
the gift of your presence.
• Robert Hargrove, Masterful Coaching
Coaching as Stewardship &
Empowerment
• Stewardship is taking a stand for the future of the people,
communities, complex social systems, and the world we care
about.
• Empowering people to create a future they desire based on
unearthing what they passionately care about.
Pfeiffer’s Coaching Model
• Each Pfeiffer Journey Instructor is an advisor and coach
• As a result of a Cannon Trust grant we provided training in
coaching and the use of Eqi-2.0 2011-12
• Beginning this academic year we meet with each student 3-4
times per semester outside of class
Results to Date
• 92% retention from fall to spring
• (88% in 2011-12)
• 83% retention from freshmen to sophomore year
• (78% in 2011-12)
Implications
• Coaching students in a personalized way increases success as
we are able to more thoroughly custom plan for each student
• Student coaching seeks to motivate students to action and
move them from an experience of “spectator sport” to a more
engaged experience.
• Coaching provides an invaluable maturation process to some
and nurturing and support to the more ambitious students
• Eqi-2. offers a tool for metacognition &
The New Story
• Humanistic
• Holistic
• Infinitely more hopeful
Contact Information
• Deborah Burris, Director First Year Experience and Asst. Prof.
Communication Studies
• [email protected]
• 704-463-3359
Jim Gulledge, Director of Academic Support Services
- [email protected]
- 704-463-3366
Bibliography
• Aanstad,J. & Journdan, C..(2012). People skill handbook:
Action tips for improving your emotional intelligence.
• Egan,G. (2010). The skilled helper: A problem-management
and opportunity-development approach to helping.
• Stein, S. & Book, H..(2006). The EQ edge: Emotional
intelligence and your success.
• Zachary, L. (2012). The mentor’s guide: Facilitating effective
learning relationships.