Presentations share King's innovative approaches to counselling and programming

Members of Student Affairs presented at the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services (CACUSS) conference, which took place virtually from May 30 to June 1, 2022.

Jenny Richmond-Bravo, King’s Promise - Experiential Learning Coordinator, did a presentation on the King’s Promise. Joanna Bedggood, Manager, Student Wellness, and Melissa Page Nichols, Personal and Accessibility Counsellor, presented on incorporating “practice wisdom” into their counselling work.

Bedggood and Page Nichols define practical wisdom as “ways of deep knowing that exist outside of research and theory, especially knowledge gained through personal, professional and vicarious experience.”

As part of the presentation, Bedggood and Page Nichols gave concrete examples and strategies incorporating "other ways of knowing," alongside theory and evidence in their clinical counselling work. “We are working from a belief that counselling is both a science and an art, and that some of the skills we develop in our individual practices defy conventional description and measurement,” says Bedggood.

After the presentation, Bedggood and Page Nichols facilitated a reflective discussion of how other clinicians have paired practice wisdom with work based on theory and evidence. “We think it led to some great conversation from our colleagues at other colleges and universities,” says Bedggood.

Richmond-Bravo’s presentation, “The King’s Promise – A Co-curricular Approach to Career Development,” offered an introduction to the King’s Promise program, based on her work at King’s. Richmond-Bravo asked participants to think about the power of experiential learning (EL) and work-integrated learning (WIL) in career development, and how the King’s Promise is approaching assessments of EL and WIL. “This will hopefully inspire consideration for similar programs elsewhere,” says Richmond-Bravo.

“Sharing my work is an important part of my role. Knowledge mobilization helps encourage other practitioners to consider collaborating or offering similar programs to their students. It also raises more awareness of the ways in which student affairs professionals can be leaders in offering innovative approaches to co-curricular student programming,” says Richmond-Bravo.

As part of these presentations, our student affairs staff facilitated constructive conversations and explored ways that programming can be enhanced. While showcasing the incredible student programming already in place at King’s, the collaboration with colleagues will also lead to further enhanced programs for our students.

“I am very proud of our team in Student Affairs at King’s. They continue to provide innovative experiences to our students and, at the same time, contribute their knowledge to support the growth of other professionals. This signals to me why King’s is truly a place to be, become and belong,” says Joe Henry, Dean of Students.