Every Conversation Matters: Four Conversations Every Higher Education Professional Should Be Prepared to Navigate
Course ID: SA111
Title: Every Conversation Matters: Four Conversations Every Higher Education Professional Should Be Prepared to Navigate
Facilitator: Dr. Monica Galloway Burke
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.
OVERVIEW
Every day, student affairs professionals engage in conversations that have the potential to influence students’ confidence, decision-making, sense of belonging, and academic success. Whether a student says, “I don’t think I belong here,” “I’m completely overwhelmed,” “I don’t know what to do,” or simply asks, “Can you help me?” these everyday interactions often become defining moments in a student’s college experience. Regardless of role or title, professionals across higher education have opportunities to foster trust, promote resilience, and empower students through intentional helping relationships.
Through four common student conversations, participants will explore evidence-informed helping strategies that strengthen relationships, foster belonging, promote student autonomy, and support appropriate referral practices. Drawing upon the newly updated Helping Skills for Working with College Students (2nd ed.), this highly interactive webinar uses realistic scenarios, guided discussion, and practical application to help participants build confidence in navigating the conversations they encounter every day.
BRIEF OUTLINE
- Every Conversation Matters
- Why helping conversations matter
- Small interactions with lasting impact
- Reflection: Who Helped You?
- Conversation 1: “I Don’t Think I Belong Here.”
- Building trust and belonging
- Validation and psychological safety
- Activity: What Would You Say First?
- Conversation 2: “I’m Completely Overwhelmed.”
- Listening before solving
- Supporting students through stress and transition
- Activity: Helping Skills in Action
- Conversation 3: “I Don’t Know What to Do.”
- Guiding decision-making through effective questioning
- Encouraging reflection and student autonomy
- Activity: Questions That Empower
- Conversation 4: “Can You Help Me?”
- Professional boundaries
- Referrals and campus partnerships
- Activity: Where Is the Line?
- Putting It into Practice
- Integrating helping strategies across common student conversations
- Practical takeaways
- Reflection: One Helping Strategy I Will Strengthen
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Apply helping skills to common conversations encountered across student affairs settings.
- Respond to students in ways that foster trust, belonging, and meaningful engagement.
- Use questioning, reflection, and validation to promote student autonomy and growth.
- Differentiate helping from counseling and recognize appropriate referral opportunities.
- Apply contemporary helping approaches that support positive student experiences and success.
- Identify practical strategies to strengthen everyday helping interactions within their professional roles.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
This webinar is designed for:
- Student affairs professionals at all career levels
- Faculty who regularly support and mentor students
- Graduate students preparing for careers in higher education and student affairs
Get access to a special coupon for 30% off the publisher’s list price for Burke’s’s book Helping Skills for Working with College Students (2nd ed.) (Valid Sept 4 – Dec. 4). After you register, just email us to request the code.
Monica Galloway Burke, Ph.D., is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Counseling and Student Affairs at Western Kentucky University and serves the Faculty Fellow for ONE WKU in the Office of the Provost. With more than 28 years of experience in higher education and a professional background in mental health and student affairs, her teaching, scholarship, and professional service focus on helping relationships, student development, student well-being, leadership, and student success. READ MORE →