Using the Pedagogy of Real Talk for Student Support

A group of dedicated Student Support staff engaged in professional development in the pedagogy of real talk (PRT), and, as a result, conducted a student climate survey in fall 2023. An impressive 44 percent, or 2,323 students, responded to this survey. The survey benchmarked students' sense of belonging and will be repeated next year. The Student Support PRT group shared their data to enable others to appropriately use it to identify demographic differences and trends for targeted interventions. They presented survey findings to the Middlesex Community College community in spring 2024 and facilitated a Student Affairs panel to identify key goals to increase a sense of belonging on campus. The PRT group is focused on providing a relationship-rich environment in which students feel seen, heard, valued, and validated. They are working with the President and Provost to expand PRT efforts across the college.

Innovators

• Christine Bell, Director, Academic Centers for Enrichment
• Kayla Caron, Registrar   
• Fay Hourihan, Associate Director, Enrollment Management Center
• Beth Kelley, Learning Specialist, Academic Support
• Winny Oyamo-Twombly, Senior Director, Career Integrated Learning
• Jeffrey Tejada, Director, Diversity Outreach and Recruitment
• Yohanka Tejada, Assistant Director, Pathways and Academic Advising
• Rina Tenore, Advisor, TRIO
• Vera Vasconcelos, Administrative Assistant II, Career Integrated Learning