February Bengal Family Network Newsletter

February 2020

Supporting the wellness of ISU students

Every aspect of the work done by Student Affairs professionals is about supporting, empowering, and contributing to the development of our students. I regularly meet with our students, staff, and peers to learn how best to meet these goals. During one such discussion, a colleague was speaking about the environment on her campus: the increased demands for mental health services, the importance of fostering resilience in our students, and the need to work more effectively with staff on prevention of mental health crises. I realized that she wasn’t just describing her campus, but many campuses, including Idaho State’s. Several other peers have confirmed that they are working to increase resources in support of student mental health. This is a challenge confronting institutions across the nation.

Utilizing the ISU strategic plan, we are taking on the challenge. Goal 4 of the plan states that we will strengthen communication, transparency, and inclusion within the University. Part of this work entails revitalizing systems and facilities across the university, including those that support wellness.

To directly address this goal, Counseling and Testing has worked to increase mental health services on the Pocatello and outreach campuses with the addition of a new counselor on the Meridian campus and the CALM initiative. CALM stands for Caring, Action, Leadership, and Mindfulness. Its primary goal is to improve interpersonal relationships and promote student wellbeing in order to foster achievement of college career goals. CALM promotes effective interpersonal communication through a variety of public education and intervention efforts. Students do not have to come to Counseling and Testing Center to participate in CALM activities; rather these activities and interventions are brought to students through events on campus.

In an effort to meet students where they are, Counseling and Testing has also created a self-guided resource library https://isu.libguides.com/CATS that addresses concerns over relationships, personality, substance abuse, trauma, and more. We understand that students may not feel comfortable speaking to someone about their mental health, so we are working to provide other options for these students.

Supporting wellness during our students’ college years helps to prepare them to better manage the challenges they will face when they move into their careers, continue their education in graduate or professional schools, or provide essential services and care in deep volunteer positions. Ultimately, our collective work at Idaho State should help to ready students for success in life and career, and that is worth every ounce of prevention.

Roars truly,

Lyn Redington

Vice President for Student Affairs

Student mental health

With all the national headlines regarding mental health problems faced by college students, you might find yourself asking, “Is this happening in Idaho? Can I do anything to support my ISU student?” The answer to both questions is a resounding Yes! Unfortunately, the trends seen across the country are true in Idaho as well, but, with your support, we can do a lot to ensure the well-being and success of all the Bengals in your family.

Students experience tremendous stress and anxiety. Often they want to pretend the stress isn’t real or assume that it won’t happen to them. They may fear they are letting you down by telling you that things aren’t going well. They need us to ask how they are doing while, critically, being open to hearing that things aren’t good. As parents, partners, and loved ones, we sometimes don’t want to hear there’s a problem so we look for opportunities to skip the conversation ahead to positive things. In reality, we need to slow things down, talk less, and listen more to what our college students are telling us. If they indicate that things are hard, validate their feelings. It’s normal to struggle. It’s by overcoming those struggles that they will experience success and grow as a person.

If your student is struggling, encourage them to seek support on campus. The Counseling and Testing Service (CATS) helps students with all sorts of concerns—and it’s free. CATS sees students struggling with all sorts of issues: anxiety, fear of making friends, and other serious issues, including suicidal thoughts. If talking to a counselor one-on-one isn’t their cup of tea, no problem. CATS has many options (groups, biofeedback, Single Session Programming) that can help students find the kind of support that works for them. If your student doesn’t want to talk to a counselor, have them reach out to any of the tremendous number of offices dedicated to helping students who are struggling. The Dean of Students Office, Academic Advising, University Health Center, and many more resources form a web of support that helps students be well and succeed.

As you stay in touch with your loved ones at college, ask how they are doing, validate those concerns, and help them connect on campus. With your support, they will be ROARing with health and success.

Rick Pongratz, Ph.D., LPC

Director | Counseling and Testing Service

ISU's Career Path Internship Program gains national recognition

In 2011, Idaho State University (ISU) launched its Career Path Internship (CPI) program to enable students to work as paid interns in their field of study. Emily Jahsman, Associate Director of the ISU Career Center, explains why a CPI is a great idea: "The CPI program helps students engage in their studies by showing them how what they're studying relates to their future real-world jobs. Having CPI internship experiences has often helped our students land full-time positions after graduation."

Recently, Idaho State University’s CPI program was recognized by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) on January 13, 2020 by the NACE staff. Established in 1956, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) is a professional association that connects over 9,300 college career services professionals, over 3,400 university relations and recruiting professionals, and over 300 business solution providers that serve this community.

Being recognized by this organization for the CPI program is an honor for Idaho State University. According to Dr. Lance Erikson, Director of the ISU Career Center, “The CPI program helps make ISU a first-choice destination for many students.” The program sees about 1,000 internships per year from various colleges that partake in this opportunity. This program is particularly unique because there isn’t a similar paid internship program of this size on the west coast.

Do you have a student who might interested in a CPI? You can find more information on our website https://www.isu.edu/career/cpi-program/, or you can call the Career Center at (208) 282-2380. To be eligible for the CPI program, individuals must be current ISU students, enrolled full time (taking 12 or more credits), and in good academic standing with a GPA of 2.0 or above. All CPI positions are funded by the university. Undergraduates receive $9.00 per hour, while graduate and post-baccalaureate students are paid $11.00 per hour.

Outdoor Adventure Center launches new no cost initiative

The Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) is a university based, outdoor education and recreation program offering outdoor recreation adventure trips, classes and workshops, and outdoor informational services. It’s a place for students who are already outdoor enthusiasts and those looking to ease into that world. The OAC has activities for students at little or no cost. In addition to weekly classes and workshops on biking, hiking, kayaking, climbing, and more, the OAC offers trips to major recreation destinations throughout the Intermountain West .

This semester, the OAC is offering students the opportunity to join them for one trip/activity of their choice at no cost (see OAC at https://www.isu.edu/outdoor/ for details and restrictions). Students can select from snowshoeing/cross country skiing to an overnight adventure in Yellowstone or a day trip exploring Craters of the Moon. OAC participant Tiffany Hatfield says, “The most incredible thing about the OAC is not just your exposure to interesting classes, activities, and destinations, but the skill and knowledge of the instructors who share this information with you. They are true experts in their field and have that local one-of-a-kind knowledge about the hidden gems of Idaho.”

If your students would like to see a waterfall that’s tucked away in a snowy wilderness, Mesa Falls in the Targhee National Forest might be for them. Are they tired of the snow and hoping for warmer destinations over spring break? The Moab spring break trip might be exactly what they are looking for. This week long trip to the Moab desert includes mountain biking, hiking, relaxing, stargazing, and the opportunity to connect with themselves.

If a week in the wilderness seems like too much, students can also join daytrips exploring the rocks around south Idaho. The OAC is offering two different trips—one to Massacre Rocks and the other to Castle Rocks. Students with all levels of rock climbing experience may participate and enjoy these beautiful natural features of Idaho.

The OAC wants to share their passion with students. Activities are available for all skill levels, and students who participate in outdoor e xperiences and project-based activities are more effectively engaged in their education. The OAC staff knows this first-hand because they are out there working with students and seeing the outcomes.