Ms. Behavior

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! There was once a time college professionals wouldn't have imagined that virtual work could also be engaging work. Then came Covid, and higher ed got creative. Then came now. Some staffs use imaginative self-reinvention in response to student needs. Some employers set strict expectations of in-person work. Some employees demonstrate questionable work ethics and...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! In higher education, we sometimes refer a little too casually to difficult challenges as "crises," but there is a realm of the truly unthinkable. Craig Allen and his staff lived through one of the most well known campus tragedies in the country, and he not only modeled learning, but he put his experience to use by educating others. As Dr. Allen says, bein...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! We've talked about challenging work situations before, but what if you don't have the option to leave? Dr. Tiffany Shierling did her doctoral research on resilience for student conduct professionals, and we tap her brain for her findings. We know you know what we're talking about, and probably much worse. Please, generous soul, click the "Send U...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Your campus hears a case, issues the lowest warning it can give, and now it's on the front page because seven students have issued a lawsuit. What went wrong at Florida International University, and was there anything that could have prevented the conflict? Glad you're not at FIU? Well, we'd better all pay attention, because this legal case could set...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! You've got students, alumni, fraternity chapters and even a dad charged with participating in a massive cocaine distribution ring at Penn State University. Who are all the players and could this have been prevented? Colette and Kurt (a Penn State alum) pull the pieces apart and examine what can be learned by Penn State and all of us in the world of student con...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! You're a professor at a university that prides itself on making education accessible through online learning. You're no stranger to the world of AI-assisted cheating, but suddenly you discover the "students" you thought you'd caught cheating might be a sign of something much worse.  This week, Ms. Behavior examines the case of a real facult...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! When summer flies way too fast, and a new academic year looms, taking a breath to consciously plan for staying well and identifying your trusted professional confidantes might be the best thing you can do for yourself. Colette brings back gratitude from the recent New England Conduct Conference and reflections on celebrity idol inspirations. Kurt makes a plea to a...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! This week's episode was inspired by Gregory Boyle's book The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness . Father Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries, and his work with the most marginalized provides a model for student conduct professionals. Colette and Kurt reflect on Boyle's examples of authenticity, humor and humility in true resto...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Have you ever felt intimidated by the breadth and scope of your Campus Safety Report duties? Colette admits that she's felt bullied by so-called Clery Report trainers who use scare tactics to build their consulting hours. Enter Cecilia Dockery and Paul Hinkle from the Clery Center! They are kindhearted, mission-driven trainers who help make crime reporting as...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! The first dissertation book club is in the... well... in the books. Participants from around the country discussed Dr. Erin Kaplan's research about student conduct and how our processes do or don't contribute to a sense of belonging, retention, trust and more. Kurt and Colette break down lessons learned, themes they heard and ideas for the future. Thanks...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! It's easy to toss blame around in considering Brown University Professor Roberto Serrano's discovery of mass cheating in his course "Welfare Economics and Social Choice Theory." He had tried to be compassionate, after the tragic campus shooting that had devastated the entire community, so he offered a take-home exam, only to be faced with the be...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Samantha Collette promotes learning, respect and care in student conduct - all while slaying in kitten heels and flowy skirts. Her disarming style and strategies, in both community standards and student affairs fashion, live in a wide-open closet we can all borrow from. Listening to Sam, you can't help but recognize that kindness and curiosity aren't just...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Colette and Kurt are shameless fans of the show Traitors, but also curious about how the game demonstrates human dynamics we see in conduct work. From examining evidence, recognizing our biases, making decisions about responsibility, and responding to intense emotions, we've got some fun lessons to learn. Don't forget to register today for the Ms. Behavio...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! "Chris" was a college student. According to Chris's long post on Reddit, they were expelled from their institution and learned lots of lessons the hard way. Chris wrote their post to pass those lessons on to future accused students. This episode explores Chris's "Guide on Student Conduct," and their unfiltered perceptions of their camp...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Do you ever feel like the perfect hearing plays out like a beautiful collaboration with a fellow musician? It's not your imagination. Renowned conductor and composer Dr. Brian Norcross shares his insights on leadership, humility, challenge and support (yes, THAT challenge and support model), and the profound impact of empathy in education and community buildin...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Colette and Kurt are excited about summer reflection and planning time. They lay out favorite resources, tips for policy updates, the importance of community engagement and the need for innovative strategies to enhance campus life and student success. Don't forget to register today for the Ms. Behavior virtual summer book club "Just Desserts & Dissert...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! This summer's Ms. Behavior book club features Dr. Erin Kaplan's dissertation How Student Conduct Process Impacts Students Sense of Belonging . We'll we've got the author herself discussing her groundbreaking research and highlighting key findings. Colette and Dr. Kaplan explore how scholarship itself can transform student affairs practices. Regi...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Meet Ranaysia Burrell-Holley. Only one year out of grad school, her vast experience as a grad assistant set her up for all facets of student conduct. That experience led to a career change and a passion for helping students and student organizations move through conflict. Ranaysia has lessons to teach us about the intersection of kindness and strength. Discover how...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Higher education practitioner and innovator, Mark Salisbury shares insights on applying improv principles to improve student conduct outcomes, fortify leadership, and manage what he describes as the gnarly problems of everyday life. Discover practical activities, mental models, and the transformative power of 'Yes, and' for fostering authentic connections...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! In this mini end-of-year recap, let's reflect on the academic year, graduation celebrations, summer plans, and innovative ideas for professional development in student conduct. Colette and Kurt share personal stories, future plans, and invite community engagement as staffs ponder what sorts of creative work they can do to learn, grow and update practices. Don&...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! In this mini end-of-year episode, Colette and Kurt explore the concerns they've heard from colleagues who fear being "too nice" to students. Themes explored include the long-term impacts of clarity and kindness in disciplinary processes. Our hosts explore a misconception that since the outside world is harsh, we're preparing students for life by...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Ethicist Jeffrey Nesteruk, author of the new book Seeking Your Better Self , explores the deeper purpose of ethics in higher education, the importance of humility, and how to foster meaningful student development through seeking out students' whole selves. We can use Jeff's practical insights on modeling and cultivating ethical self-reflection and support...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Join us as we explore the intersections of creativity, rule-breaking, and education with bestselling author Dr. Keith Sawyer , a renowned expert in educational innovation and creativity. Discover how constraints foster creativity, the importance of improvisation in learning, and insights into nurturing innovative minds. Don't forget to register today for the M...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Conduct professional Logan Lasher shares his journey from musical theater major to criminology scholar to student conduct professional, highlighting the importance of authenticity, empathy, and keen investigative skills in higher education. Discover insights on campus culture, supporting marginalized students, and innovative approaches to educational outcomes. Don&...

Send Us a Text or Voice Message! Most college students are taught to follow rules blindly—until neurodivergence, anxiety, and unspoken expectations turn that obedience into a double-edged sword.  In this eye-opening episode, Jamie D'Amico, an executive leadership coach and former RA, reveals the surprising ways institutional policies can do more harm than good—and what we can do to change tha...