What life skills do we want students to acquire before they graduate? As we asked ourselves this question in the Counseling Center, we came up with a comprehensive list of topics to present to students. The presentations are based on a wellness model, incorporating intellectual, physical, emotional, social, occupational, and spiritual components.We are available to give presentations to classes when faculty must be away from the classroom, and also when faculty are present. Whenever possible, we will tailor the presentation to your discipline. For example, if we do a program on conflict resolution, we would use different scenarios for education majors than we would for business majors.
To request a presentation, fill out a Request Form.
Alcoholism. Students will learn about the disease progression of alcoholism and how it effects the individual physically, mentally, and psychologically. Presenter: Jane Owen.
Assertive, Not Aggressive. Self-expression can be a challenge for students who have never been taught the difference between being assertive and being aggressive. A transactional analysis model will be used. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari.
Born to Run: What I learned About Being Religious, After the Fact. This presentation is a basic introduction to worldview. We will define worldview and identify its component parts. Students will also be challenged to consider contemporary worldviews and how they are perpetuated and reinforced in daily living. Lastly, students will be encouraged to reflect upon their own worldview in light of a Christian worldview that should guide all our work and endeavors, including academics. Presenter: Tom Ribar
Building a Portfolio. Students will set goals in order to build a meaningful portfolio of co-curricular, service, and leadership activities to augment their resumes. Targeted especially for first and second year students. Presenter: Marie Coffman
Child Abuse. In the course of their careers, many students will be involved directly or peripherally with children. In this presentation, students will learn the definitions of child abuse, prevalence, warning signs, and long-term effects. Students will also learn what they can and must do to help children in this situation. Presenter: Mary Hamilla
Conflict Resolution. Students will learn the basic skills required to resolve a conflict. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari.
Dating and Domestic Violence. Students will explore the myths and facts surrounding this common social problem. Presenter: Mary Hamilla.
Ethical Decision-Making. Students will examine the decision-making process, based on ethical principles. Presenter: Jay Aultman-Moore.
“Having It All”. Students will learn the principals of living a balanced lifestyle, incorporating study, work, relationships, and personal time. Presenter: Mary Hamilla.
Healthy Relationships. The characteristics of a healthy relationship will be contrasted with warning signs for an exploitive or abusive relationship. Presenter: Jane Owen.
How Do You Do? The Basics of Professional Etiquette. Students will learn the etiquette of making introductions, using the phone, writing thank you notes, etc. Presenter: Marie Coffman
Image of Women in Advertising. In cultures where the “ideal” female body is thin, there is a marked increase in clinical depression among women. The film Slim Hopes, by Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D., will be used to stimulate discussion about how advertising depicts the “thin ideal” and its effects on both men and women. Students will critique ads in popular magazines. A similar presentation using the film Killing Us Softly 3, is also available. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari.
The Internet. The major capabilities, benefits, and challenges the internet offers organizations and society. Computer ethics in organizations. Presenter: Pete Mahoney.
Interviewing Skills. Students will learn the basic questions that may be asked during an interview. Different types of interview formats such as group interviewing, one-on-one interviewing, pre-employment testing, and dinner/lunch interviewing will be covered. Presenter: Marie Coffman
Learned Optimism. Dr. Marty Seligman, University of Pennsylvania, has done extensive research with college students showing that they can be taught the skills needed to increase their optimism, thereby decreasing their risk for underachievement, illness, and depression. Students will be taught Seligman’s ABC model for disputing pessimistic thinking. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari.
Life According to Calvin (and Hobbes) – Examining How We Learn to Value. A synopsis of Calvin and Hobbes cartoons by Bill Watterson reveals a consistent worldview, filled with values and priorities, as well as a systematic presentation of these values. In this presentation, students will be challenged to consider both what they value and how they have come to hold those values. Lastly, we will set the groundwork for judging those things we value relative to different standards available to us. Presenter: Tom Ribar
Lifestyle Risk Reduction. Students will learn how to lower their risk for any type of alcohol or drug problem by using the Five Steps to Risk Reduction. The information given in this class is based on research. Presenter: Jane Owen.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The MBTI can be used to explore issues of personality strengths, learning styles, spirituality, career choice, and teamwork. Each student will take and score the MBTI. Allow two class periods. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari.
Reading For The Road: A Guide To Reading That Will Sustain The Heart And The Imagination. This presentation may serve as a primer to Christian Spirituality. Our closeness to God is dramatically affected by the condition of our heart and the acuity of our imagination. Certain writers through the ages have addressed issues in literature that open the heart to receive grace and be drawn to God the maker and redeemer, and stir the imagination to see beyond the present to imagine the possibilities of a different kind of life. There may be no time in history when care for the imagination has been more important or crucial. Students will be challenged to consider taking up reading for a healthy imagination and heart as part of their growth as mature adults who seek to fulfill vocations in society. Presenter: Tom Ribar
Resume and Cover Letter Tips. Students will learn how to format a resume and cover letter, how to submit the documents in a professional manner, and how to follow up. Students will learn why they should not use Internet templates when doing resumes. Presenter: Marie Coffman
The Pygmalion Effect: Self-fulfilling Prophecy. Viewing excerpts from a video on the phenomena, students will become aware of the relationship between their success and the messages they receive from others. Presenter: Mary Hamilla.
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Students will examine Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits, using them as a basis for self-evaluation and goal setting. Presenter: Jane Owen.
Sexual Assault. Clips from Ally McBeal will be used to illustrate a difficult sexual assault situation. Emphasis will be on prevention from both the male and female point of view. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari.
Sexual Harassment. What is the legal definition of sexual harassment? What to do if it occurs, and how to avoid behaviors that may be considered harassing. The harmful effects of harassment will also be covered. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari.
Small Talk: Conversational Basics. Students will learn how to carry on a conversation with someone they are meeting for the first time. Professional situations will be used as examples. Presenter: Marie Coffman
SOS: Success Over Stress. A stress inventory will be given. Stress and burnout will be defined. Students will learn relaxation exercises and hints for daily stress management. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari
Time, the Equal Opportunity Resource. We each have 168 hours to spend each week. Tips on managing schedules, setting priorities and getting things done. Presenter: Jane Owen.
What is your EQ? The concept of Emotional Intelligence and how it can enhance personal and professional life. Students will learn the Four Cornerstone Model of emotional intelligence in leadership and organizations. Presenter: Jane Owen.
What’s In It For Me? – A 21st Century Traveler’s Guide to Relationships, Dating and Sex. This presentation will raise important questions about the meaning and character of friendship, dating and human sexuality. We will look at the most popular representations of friendship, dating and sexuality. Students will be challenged to look at relationships in the context of being created in God’s image and the preeminence of community in God’s design for humanity. We will raise important questions involved with understanding sexuality given this overarching context in contrast to popular representations. Presenter: Tom Ribar
Why Bad Things Happen to Anyone! – Dealing With Pain, Suffering and Evil. This session will attempt to begin a discussion of how we deal with suffering and pain in life. On one hand, the issue of pain and suffering may be dealt with from a philosophic/theological vantage point in an attempt to explain and answer the question why. A cursory evaluation of different philosophical/theological vantage points will be offered. On the other hand, and what may be more significant, one must learn how to deal with pain and suffering without being fully satisfied as to its purpose. The Psalms of the Old Testament will be a primary focus for this presentation. Presenter: Tom Ribar
How do I communicate with people who appear to be different from me? What can I learn from them? A number of presentations on this important issue include:
Beyond Political Correctness: Your Personal Response to People with Disabilities. A video, The Ten Commandments of Communicating With People With Disabilities, will be used as a basis for discussion. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari.Gender Differences. A video discussing research about gender differences will be shown and discussed. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari.
He Said – She Said: Exploring Communication between Men and Women. Discussion topics will include: stereotypes, values, development, communication patterns, leadership styles, conflict resolution, and how men and women can work together more effectively. Presenter: Mary Hamilla.
Homosexuality. Students will explore myths and prejudices about homosexuality and be provided with research findings about sexual orientation. Presenter: Nancy Ferrari.
Multiculturalism. Understanding the very real cultural differences we encounter when we communicate with people from other countries. Presenter: Cynthia Thompson (with members of the International Students’ Organization, when possible).
Religious Tolerance. In order to be better prepared to interact in a global community, students will examine their stereotypes about non-Christian religions. Learning some of the basic tenets of these faiths, students will be encouraged to examine their own beliefs about these doctrines. Presenter: Skip Noftzger.
