Recognition UnpluggedJessica CurryResidence Life CoordinatorTowson University

&Brittany TaschStudent Life Coordinator/Assistant for Residential EducationLycoming College

Learning Outcomes Understand and analyze how recognition

can develop self worth, team effectiveness and morale and encourage leadership involvement.

Discuss the theory behind recognition and how recognizing applies to student development, the community and future career experiences.

Develop recognition tools that will applaud, appreciate and reward your staff or department.

What is TRUE positive reinforcement?

The Little Frog

Doing Happiness!

GET PRAISE! GIVE PRAISE!

So what IS recognition? Being acknowledged Feeling valued and accepted Being approved of

“We all possess the need to be recognized as individuals and to feel a sense of

accomplishment.” -First Break All the Rules

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow tells us that…Needs drive motivationWe are driven to fulfill our needsOur need for recognition can be

the most difficult to achieve

So, why recognize others?Recognition impacts cultureRecognition improves team

moraleRecognition creates camaraderie

So you’ve done a good job,

SO WHAT?

Recognition is your secret weapon to…ApathyPoor performance and

involvementLow motivation and prideStressLack of loyalty and ownershipComplaints

Brainstorm!Pair & Share

Brainstorm a new way to recognize or praise student staff, graduate assistants, coworkers, or even your supervisor that you have not currently implemented.

Recognition and Student Development Recognition increases self-worth Higher self-worth can alleviate painful

emotions Stress and negativity add to low self-

worth Social support can be a buffer for high

stress levels and increase self-worth Decreasing stress through social

support increases self-worth

Closing the Loop Chickering’s 7 Vectors of College Student

Development

“Our students are evolving, and the possibilities are limitless.”

-Jeanne L. Higbee The University of Georgia

Enhance Your Future with Recognition… Builds positive relationships A powerful communication tool Pre-establish any recognition

opportunities Increases productivity in future job

placements Relevant in the diverse and evolving

workforce

Case Study Fun!Your senior RA has been overwhelmed with academic and last year obligations. It is the second week of October and you realize that she is not performing like she was in the previous year. You overheard a staff member say that she has been complaining about her job and does not understand why she needs to invest in her first year residents when she is about to graduate. This is not her normal behavior and you believe a boost will help.

Case Study Fun!You have been working at your institution for 2 – 3 years. This year you are a mentor to a new professional on staff. Your colleague has jumped feet first into your department and institution, taking on numerous initiatives that have recently come to surface for the department. In your conversations, you have noticed that his/her enthusiasm is high and they are “doing happiness” for the department and students.

A Simple Recipe1. Thank the person by name2. State what the person did to earn the

recognition3. Explain how you felt about the person’s

behavior or actions4. State how said behavior/ action added

value to the team, community or institution

5. Thank the person again by name.

Electronic Tools Free E-Praise by Baudville

http://www.baudville.com/epraise/epgrp/1

Free Certificate Templates and Ideas for any time… any day!http://www.123certificates.com/ http://

www.gocertificate.com/

Celebrate Bizarre & National Holidayshttp://www.holidayinsights.com/

http://www.brownielocks.com/

Free E-Cardshttp://www.care2.com/ecards/

http://www1.egreetings.com/

Funny Recognition (to purchase or to inspire for personal creations)

http://www.knockknock.biz/

Caught Up in Recognizing...

the same people?What about those who do not

make the recognition cut?the same things?too much?

Random Recognition Time!

Questions? Jessica Curryjcurry@towson.edu

Brittany Taschtasch@lycoming.edu

References Intrinsic Motivation. http://education.calumet.purdue.edu.

Higbee, Jeanne L. Defining Developmental Education: ACommentary. Ohio Association for DevelopmentalEducation: Empowering Learners. Retrieved October 2011from

http://www.oade.org/defining.htm.

Grazier, Peter B. (1995) Starving for Recognition: UnderstandingRecognition and the SevenRecognition Do’s and

Don’ts. Teambuildinginc.com. Retrieved November 2010.

Mitchel, Katie, Smith, Stephanie, & Simpson, Jenny. Self-Esteem and Class Standing in Liberal Arts Undergraduate

College Students. Huntington Univesrity: URJHS Volume 7.

www.baudville.com

Thank you for coming!