Event Description: Greater awareness of post-pandemic mental health concerns that affect the classroom has led to increased recognition of our guiding roles when we see such struggles among our students. Yet instructors may feel uncomfortable addressing struggles that some may not see as directly related to instruction. We all need further support, and UCR is prioritizing whole health in recognition that more efficient learning and working happen when we are doing well physically, mentally, and emotionally. This workshop therefore offers instructors real-time practice in navigating difficult conversations with students regarding common struggles they face after receiving suggestions on how they might do so; provides an overview of resources available to students; and suggests a peer-reviewed disclaimer for offered resources.
Event Date and Time: Wednesday, May 27th from 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Facilitators:
Dr. Stephanie Fousek started in the University Writing Program as a Teaching Assistant in 2010 and became a UWP lecturer after earning her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature in 2014. Her approach to teaching has always been deeply personal, and the Covid pandemic served as a further call for her to bring her interests in psychology to her pedagogy: she joined the Mental Health Allies program in 2023 not only to help students improve not only their academic careers but also their personal lives. Her classroom today emphasizes mindfulness practices, freewrites, UCR mental health resources, one-on-one engagement, and assignments designed to encourage student self-discovery.
Carrie Jean Schroeder has been a continuing lecturer in the University Writing Program since Fall 2000. Trained as a campus Disability Ally, First Generation Mentor, and Mental Health Ally, Carrie Jean is passionate about fostering student belonging and wellness, meeting students where they are academically and socially, and maximizing student engagement/retention. She delights in watching animals frolic; experimenting with found object collage, printmaking, and painting; and sending silly, unexpected homemade postcards to friends and family to show care – all of which she finds supportive of mental health, resilience, joy, and connection.