Practicum Experience #1:
Academic Support Services Retention Research in Academic Support Services
Supervisor: Dena Davis, Assistant Dean, Academic Support Services
Student will assist the Director with research projects related to support services and student retention. These projects will assist in the development
of our new Center for Academic and Student Achievement by researching student support needs and academic persistence patterns. The practicum may also involve direct student contact, focus group facilitation, event planning, and curriculum development.
Skills Preferred: Excellent technical skills, some research experience, teaching or tutoring experience a plus.
Practicum Experience #2: Action Plan for Graduate Student Services in Student Leadership and Engagement
Supervisor: Sheila Sullivan, Director of Student Advocacy
Student will complete a variety of assignments designed
to assist the Director of Student Advocacy develop an action plan for three
distinct areas of Graduate Student Services. This assignment includes
working on program development for the Graduate Student Senate; assisting in
research and implementation of a landing page for Graduate Student Services;
and researching/developing/ recommending effective and engaging activities and
programs for a Graduate Student Orientation. This practicum will help the
student gain baseline skills in all multiple competency areas including
governance, leadership, research, and inclusion.
Skills Preferred:Strong organizational skills, a desire to do research,
professional communication skills, ability to work independently, and critical
thinking skills.
Practicum Experience #3: Assessment Processes for Student Housing and Residential Education
Supervisor: Golden Venters, Associate Director for Business Services
This practicum experience is still in the process of
being developed; more information will be available to interested candidates
after October 21.
Skills preferred:Critical thinking and basic analytical skills required.
Practicum Experience #4: Budget Development for ASUSF in Student Leadership and Engagement
Supervisor: Marci Nuñez, Director for Student Involvement
The Associated Students of the University of San Francisco (ASUSF) operates on an annual budget of approximately $575,000 which provides funding for undergraduate student media, performing arts, campus events, advocacy, leadership & organizational development, and more. Through this practica, the student will have the opportunity to learn and assist with advising a goal-oriented budget proposal development and approval process. Time commitment is concentrated in late March-early April.
Skills Preferred: Experience with organizational assessment and development, event planning, marketing, budgeting, technology/equipment, and student organization advising preferred, but not required.
Practicum Experience #5: Civility and Dialogue Program Development in the Cultural Centers
Supervisor: Alejandro Covarrubias, Assistant Director of the Cultural Centers
Student will develop a multi-faceted campaign to foster civility and critical dialogue at USF. The purpose of this practicum is to develop strategies to encourage greater dialogue and public discourse at USF regarding social justice issues as it pertains to multiculturalism and diversity in general. The student will gain a foundation in methods of group dialogue, encouraging civil discourse over contentious issues, ensuring free speech/first amendment rights and how to implement programs with those aspects in mind. Working with the Assistant Director of the Cultural Centers and with the support of the Cultural Centers (CC) staff, this student will develop and implement a critical dialogue program.
Skills Preferred: Experience with program development and event implementation, Familiarity with survey research and analysis, needs assessment and reporting, Prior training in methods of dialoguing and diversity (University of Michigan, NCBI, SJTI, etc.) desired but not required, Knowledge of research on first amendment and free speech issues in higher education desired but not required, Prior education on social justice and systems of oppression.
Practicum Experience #6: Development of Online Leadership Workshops in Student Leadership and Engagement
Supervisor: Keegan Mills, Assistant Director for Student Advocacy
The student will develop an online leadership workshop series targeted for student organizations. This practicum will help the student gain a foundation in assessment, evaluation, and research as well as student learning and development. The student will research online workshop tools and techniques as well as topics areas important and relevant to student organizations leaders at USF. The outcome will be an online leadership development workshop series that will be provided to student leaders to support their needs and growth in student organization leadership.
Skills Preferred: General knowledge of technology and willing to learn new programs (training will be provided), familiarity and/or experience in student organization development.
Practicum Experience #7: Emergency Protocol and Procedure Establishment in the Dean of Students Office
Supervisor: Katie DeChants, Program Assistant
This practicum will help establish Dean of Students (DOS) protocols and procedures and to solidify the office identity. The DOS office is charged with improving student welfare and student advocacy, as well as overseeing crisis response and the case management of student issues. The practicum student will function as a consultant to the office and will gain a foundation in assessment, evaluation, and research, advising and helping, and personal foundations. S/he will research DOS offices at peer institutions in relation to: identity and outreach, emergency response protocols, and methods of tracking student cases. S/he will revise, review, research and submit a plan for ongoing maintenance of the University’s emergency response protocols, as well as help draft new ones. The practicum student will have the opportunity to review office data and statistics and suggest preventative programming.
Skills Preferred: Able to work during regular business hours (8:30a-5:30p) for at least part of the 100-hour requirement
Practicum Experience #8: Greek Expansion in Student Leadership and Engagement
Supervisor: Stacey Longwich, Assistant Director for Student Involvement
In consultation with Greek Council and other campus staff, this student will help expand the Greek Community landscape to two additional North-American Interfraternity Council organizations. This practica would assist in facilitating the expansion process. This includes: review the recommendation from the Greek Expansion Committee, invite prospective fraternities to campus, make final recommendation to Student Life about which organization(s) will be invited to colonize at USF, prepare community for fall recruitment, and conduct historical research to assist in future decisions for Greek Expansions/Reinstatement.
Skills Preferred: Experience with organizational assessment and development, event planning, marketing, student organization advising (Greek organization preferred). Greek Life experience preferred but not required.
Practicum Experience #9: LGBTQ Program Development in the Cultural Centers
Supervisor: Dawn Lee Tu, Director of the Cultural Centers
The Student will research best practices for LGBTQ support service/programs, conduct needs assessment (survey & focus groups, meeting with existing LGBTQ groups) for the LGBTQ community at USF, and present findings to the Cultural Center Staff. In collaboration with Cultural Centers staff, the student will recommend, develop and implement an LGBTQ support program for the USF campus. This practicum will help the student gain a foundation in leadership, organizational resources, equity, diversity and inclusion as it relates to LGBTQ issues.
Skills Preferred: Experience with program development and event implementation, Familiarity with survey research and analysis, needs assessment and reporting, Experience working with/in LGBTQ community, Familiarity with research on LGBTQ student issues, Prior education on social justice and systems of oppression.
Practicum Experience #10: Outreach Initiatives for Counseling & Psychological Services
Supervisor: Barbara Thomas, Director of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
This student will work on outreach initiatives for CAPS. Student will be integral in planning and executing Eating Disorder Awareness week and Alcohol Awareness Day activities for the campus, execute all mental health “tweets” for CAPS; and will create one podcast for the CAPS website (topic TBD). The student will gain a foundation in recognizing and articulating healthy habits for better living, understanding of wellness concepts, identify positive and negative effects on psychological wellness of certain behaviors; or use appropriate technology to aide in reaching out to individuals with diverse backgrounds.
Skills Preferred: Familiar with Twitter/Facebook, experience giving presentations outside of classroom.
Practicum Experience #11: Program Development for Counseling and Psychological Services
Supervisor: Barbara Thomas, Director of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
Program Development for CAPS focuses on other drugs-prescription and nonprescription which are often abused on college campuses. Students will research drugs other than ethanol (ETOH) or marijuana collectively on national/local statistics and reviewing relevant biochemical information; create a 1.5 hour PowerPoint based psycho educational program: co-present information and facilitate discussion with three on campus groups (TBD). This practicum will help the student gain research skills while increasing skills in self-direct, independent “product” development. They also will enhance their ability to articulate healthy habits and identify the effects of a variety of drugs on psychological/ physical well being.
Skills Preferred: Familiarity with biochemical terminology, ability to work independently.
Practicum Experience #12: Marketing and Customer Experience in the Department of Public Safety
Supervisor: Sunny Kaido, Operations Manager
This student will complete a variety of tasks to assist with the marketing and development of the customer experience through the Public Safety website. The practicum will help the student gain basic skills in marketing, leadership, and project management. The student will research department websites and various transportation programs and follow through on the implementation of plans to reorganize the flow of content, update information, and improve the user experience.
Skills Preferred: None listed
Practicum Experience #13: Sexual Assault Awareness Week Program Development in the Cultural Centers
Supervisor: Dawn Lee Tu, Director of the Cultural Centers
Student will develop a multi-faceted awareness campaign to observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April 2012). This practicum will help the student gain a foundation in Sexual Assault Education programs. Working with the Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) Program Coordinator and with the support of the Cultural Centers (CC) staff, this student will function as the awareness campaign lead and will develop a comprehensive awareness campaign.
Skills Preferred: Experience with program development and event implementation, Familiarity with survey research and analysis, needs as
Practicum Experience #14: “SF Engage” Program Research and Development in the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good
Supervisor: Star Moore, Associate Director for Community-Based Learning
This practicum will engage the student in an integral component of the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good’s strategic planning process. The student will research civic engagement, service-learning, immersion, and community-based research models from universities across the country (as well as USF) for the purpose of reporting on and recommending an “SF Engage” program to be developed and implemented by the McCarthy Center. Additionally, the student will shadow select center staff members as they implement their premier programs and services, including: Service-Learning Faculty Seminar, Infinite San Francisco Event Series, and Advocates for Community Engagement (ACE) Student Leadership Program.
Skills Preferred: Organizational skills, data analysis, professional communication, effective problem-solving, ability to work independently
Practicum Experience #15: Peer Advising Program Development in Academic Support Services
Supervisor: Charlene Lobo Soriano, Associate Director, First Year Student Services
Students who participate in this practicum will assist in developing the peer advising program at the University of San Francisco. This practicum will engage with academic departments, student service units, and other departments to develop the program. Students will be able to learn about the Academic Affairs and Student Life side of the University as well as creating a retention program for first year students.
Skills: Prior experience with peer advising helpful but not necessary.
Practicum Experience #16: Technology & First Generation College Student Engagement
Supervisor: Charlene Lobo Soriano, Associate Director, First Year Student Services
Students who participate in this practicum will be given the opportunity to learn more about at-risk student populations and program development for at-risk populations; students will also have hands-on experience working with these students. Practicum students will examine the use of technology in student services and develop new ways of providing outreach to these populations. This practicum is ideal for students who are interested in serving at-risk populations with a lens on academic support.
Skills: Prior experience with peer advising helpful but not necessary. Familiarity with HTML/web coding helpful (or at least a willingness to learn how would be great!).
Practicum Experience #17: Academic Support Program Development
Supervisor: Shona Doyle, Director, Academic Coaching and Student Development Programs
Students who participate in this practicum will be given the opportunity to learn more about students on academic probation, (who are required to participate in our “Back on Track” program), as well as our Undeclared/Exploratory students; this practicum will involve program development for these diverse student populations and students will also have hands-on experience working with these students. Practicum students will review the current programs in place, and assist in enhancing student services for these student populations. This practicum will engage a variety of skillsets including surveying existing campus resources/programs, creating innovative resources/hand-outs, participating in workshops and collaborating with a variety of offices on campus. This practicum is ideal for students who are interested in serving a diverse population of students with a lens on academic support.
Skills: Prior experience with diverse student populations, sensitivity to students in crisis and students at risk, creative marketing techniques, and ability to work independently all helpful, but not necessary.
