Ellie Frazier, MSS Intern

Reflection #9: Presentation Feedback for Vincent

I just had the opportunity to listen to a presentation that Vincent will give to a
group of influential professionals who are honing their expertise in serving the
diverse community at Bucknell. In order for these professionals to serve students
well, they need to be more fully aware of the challenges specific to minority groups,
the challenges present at Bucknell and how they relate to the national literature,
and models for understanding and fostering positive racial identity development.
This was the first time that Vincent was delivering this presentation, and I was
charged with the responsibility to give him feedback in terms of presentation
format, pacing, content, and how it might be more engaging and pointed to the
target audience.
Presentation Title:
On a path toward understanding: A summary of domestic racially
underrepresented students experiences at Bucknell university.
Target audience:
-Teaching and Learning Center staff, Associate Deans, Advisors, and CSDC staff
Objectives:
-InformationSelf-ReflectionImpact on professional development efforts
-Present thorough resources relevant to topic, including Vincent himself and the
materials he has prepared (e.g. theoretical frameworks, local and national data,
research articles relevant to college student development)
I vigorously took notes on the slides and annotated the materials he was
presenting, trying to think in the frame of mind of Teaching and Learning Center
staff, Associate Deans, Advisors, and Counselors. It was difficult because I dont
have the discreet knowledge bases and experiences they do, and I was trying to
think beyond my student perspective and familiarity with my peers challenges. But
I think I could imagine how the material might be framed and followed up with

probing questions to promote reflection on how they personally can apply the
material to their offices and serve students. Vincent said that the feedback I gave in
terms of formatting and pacing was indeed helpful, and together we brainstormed
some pointed questions that would allow room in the presentation (or more of a
conversation, in cases where he is only meeting with two people at a time) for
interaction, reflection, and recognition of action steps for specific positions.
While I was frantically scribbling down notes about the structure, pacing,
format, and delivery of the presentation, I was also trying to process and absorb as
much of the content as I could. I think for me, the presentation helped me realize
how much I have gained in the context of the MSS office, including a working
knowledge of the literature around minority student struggles. I even got to help
Vincent compile a slide specific to Hispanic/Latino students and their identity
development challenges at 4-year institutions. It was satisfying to be able to
contribute something to his presentation. But of course, I also recognized
throughout this presentation how much I have left to learn, and how this is such a
dynamic field that I will never be done learning. There will always be a growing
body of literature and evolving best practices pertaining to student affairs and how
professionals can best serve students in various stages of identity development and
navigating the challenges of college. Im so impressed and humbled by the breadth
of Vincents body of knowledge. I admire his professionalism, his ability to
communicate effectively with different groups of people, and his command over a
really challenging and dynamic body of knowledge. I am eager to become a
professional in my own right in the near future, and make meaningful contributions
to education somehow.