Helping students share their stories of grit and transition
TRANSFER STARS - LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Narativ’s 12-week Leadership Development Program for John Jay College(CUNY) students was designed to publicize powerful transfer student stories of transition and perseverance, ending with a final performance at a black-box theatre off Broadway in New York City. As a storytelling trainer, I co-designed, supported and co-instructed the training program.
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Experience: Sep. 2014 - Dec. 2014, New York City
My Role: Narativ Co-trainer, Program Designer
Contribution: Storytelling, Education
Collaboration: City University of New York - Adam Joncich; Research Foundation CUNY (RFCUNY); John Jay College of Criminal Justice; Ford Foundation (Art and Culture Subcommittee); A.R.T New York; Abingdon Theatre; Blue Lotus Research - Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment; Horns and Tails Productions - Program Documentation
Team: Narativ Inc - Jerome Deroy, Benaifer Bhadha
Project Copyright Narativ Inc. All rights reserved.
CHALLENGE
Majority of college students (over 60%) in the U.S are now considered transfer students. Often coming from different countries, working 40 hours a week as they finish their degrees, or coming back to school after having a career in a different field, transfer students are often desperately searching for a way to understand their experiences, and feel like they are part of the community.
OPPORTUNITY
Adam Joncich, a counseling psychologist at CUNY, enlisted the services of Narativ Inc to design and facilitate the program with a 1-year Ford Foundation educational grant. This program was designed to provide the participants new skills training in oral presentation and performance, essential skills for college students readying for graduation.
ACTION
The students were trained in Narativ’s Listening and Storytelling Method, and practiced the skills of non-judgmental, open listening, and story construction.
Program Details:
1 semester pilot: program implemented Fall 2014
12-week seminar format: 2 hours per week
11 students, 3 group trainers
Performance:
Venue: Off Broadway Abingdon Theatre, NY
Each performer ~ 6 minute story
Audience of 90 family, friends, peers, public
OUTCOME
“You learn how important it is to listen to somebody without discriminating and just listen to what that person is saying. It can really change your life.” - Program participant after the training
100% program completed
93% student attendance
99% of students said that they were completely satisfied
99% of students said the training was extremely helpful
The Leadership Development Program was also presented by John Jay College at the 13th National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students National Conference (2015)