Hannah Brock, AS Personnel Director, on her success with large student trainings

How do you go about coordinating large scale student trainings?
I first look back at the work of my predecessors and their styles, borrowing some old parts and adding new things with my own style. I start off by creating a map of ideas with my style; I like using humor and fun activities for training sessions. I split the work within committees that I assemble. Recently, I organized about 13 full days of (student) training, about 2 weeks of training for Fall quarter AS staff. I created a 10-person committee, which worked on logistics, presentation sections, etc.

How would you describe the success of the Fall and Winter Quarter student training sessions?
So far, reviews have been really good! My favorite was the Fall Quarter training because I had more time and freedom to plan for the session. I included a bonding aspect into the training session, and really encouraged the idea of us being a ‘team’. I reserved the Lakewood Challenge Course, and we were able to do fun things like and paddle boating, kayaking. Something I also included was team t-shirts design to imitate sports team shirts to really encourage the feeling of being in a team.

What are some work tips you would pass on to an employee with similar job duties?
It may get overwhelming, but the most important thing is to always ask for feedback and not to be afraid of that feedback, and work with it. It’s important to keep an open mind and not be too critical of yourself if mistakes happen during the first events that you plan, and to keep a positive attitude. You are there to serve students, and even if the reviews may not all be positive, the training sessions are there for (the students’) benefit.

What are some work practices that works best for you in your position?
Definitely stepping back and allowing others to lead – I am not that good at delegating tasks, so I practice being collaborative and asking what other staff members would want to do or would want to see. Making the work a group aspect works best.

How do you envision improvement within the student trainings?
I am totally on board with Christina Van Wingerden on working to make training materials available and accessible online; that way, students can access these materials at any time if they miss training, and can still learn everything that other staff are learning at the trainings. This will also find the appropriate training materials/sessions that pairs well with staff.

What is the most difficult and interesting part of your position at WWU?
The most difficult part of my position is when employees come and have life commitments that cause them to leave their positions, and I have to say goodbye. It’s also hard to follow through with disciplinary processes because of the work relationships and friendships that have formed, while keeping in mind that all students are equal and the same processes must be used despite whatever relationship we may have. The most interesting part is definitely getting to know almost every single person working in the AS, getting to interact with them and branch out, which is really great!