Ready or not, here they come!

Millions of students are about to return to campuses all over the United States.

Those of us in the student housing world have been busily preparing since the day our residents walked in the door last year. Currently, last minute details are being finalized, rooms are being prepared, staff are being trained, and opening details are being finalized. As one student who worked for Macy's previously pointed out to me, this is our "holiday season." This time of year will shape the rest of the year, for better or for worse.

Are you ready?

• Do you have a plan in place to build a sense of community among your students?
• Will you have a smoothly orchestrated move-in that leaves students feeling excited and parents reassured?
• Are your service levels up to par with the high expectations of today's students (and their parents)?
• Do you have a plan for helping your residents to engage with their academic institutions?
• Do you have social, educational and developmental events, activities and resources ready to go?
• Is your staff well-trained to effectively build community, handle crisis, connect students with the unique resources and services they need?

Hopefully, your answers to each of these questions are each a resounding YES! If so, you have set the foundation for success this academic year and beyond.

Good luck!

Setting Goals... and Reaching Them

When was the last time you took a look at your short, medium and long-term goals? When was the last time you revised them? For the past 10 years, I've had the opportunity to speak to thousands of college students and other college leaders about leadership. Much of what I share centers around a topic I'm very passionate about, the topic of "VISION."

Part of having a strong vision as a leader is being intentional about operating within that ever-refining vision, and working to make sure that what you are doing today is moving you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.

That brings up some key questions:

1. Do you have a broad vision that is guiding your goal-setting? Setting goals without a broader guiding vision is pointless
2. Based on your guiding vision, have you set key goals for the short term, mid term and long term?
3. How often do you review these goals, and are you defining, taking and tracking action steps to accomplish them?

Find 1 hour this week to visit your goals and honestly ask yourself what you are doing to further them. Are you treading water? Are you running in place? Are you just shadowboxing, or are you actually getting somewhere in accomplishing your goals?