Meeting Students' Basic Needs: From Community Colleges to Graduate Schools | Norma Hernandez

TL;DR

The speaker discusses the need for colleges and universities to address food and housing insecurity among students in order to promote their success.

Transcript

thank you very much everyone for joining us and we're glad that you're here today um so for the last uh six years seven years i was working at a hispanic serving community colleges richard mentioned and um you know i had made the jump from a graduate university and prior to that i had done some undergraduate teaching at a private at my alma mater a... Read More

Key Insights

• 😋 Food and housing insecurity among students is a widespread issue that hinders their academic success.
• 🪡 Institutions need to provide tangible support through resources, policies, and partnerships.
• 🆘 Building relationships with students and creating a culture of support can help address the stigma associated with seeking help.
• 🧑‍🎓 Childcare is also a significant concern for student-parents and should be included in basic needs programs.
• 🧑‍🎓 Ongoing communication, reminders, and awareness campaigns are necessary to ensure students are aware of available resources.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can colleges and universities provide support for students experiencing food and housing insecurity?

Institutions can establish food pantries, provide resource guides, offer counseling services, and partner with local organizations to address students' needs.

Q: Are there specific policies or initiatives that can help combat food and housing insecurity?

Implementing syllabus statements, creating awareness campaigns, and conducting research on student needs can all contribute to tackling food and housing insecurity.

Q: How can faculty and staff identify signs of food and housing insecurity among students?

Faculty and staff can monitor students' attendance, engagement, and performance in class, as well as establish open communication channels to discuss any challenges they may be facing.

Q: How can colleges and universities change the culture around seeking help for basic needs?

By normalizing discussions about food and housing insecurity, providing regular reminders of available resources, and fostering a supportive campus community, institutions can create a culture where seeking help is encouraged and shame is reduced.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker shares their experience teaching at a community college and realizing the extent of students' food and housing insecurity.

• They highlight the importance of addressing students' basic needs in order to support their academic success.

• The speaker discusses the need for institutional policies and resources to assist students who are struggling with food and housing insecurity.