Topic Area: Pandemic Pivot
Presented by: Mary Beth Heeder, Annie Heeder
Abstract:
"My family” “My parents/supporters”
These are two of the most frequent responses to Who most impacted your college experience? a question a Western Michigan University professor has asked college seniors for many years. Productive partnerships between students, families, and schools are foundational to student success. The pandemic, however, has disrupted this partnership at all levels of education, including higher ed. An analysis of government data by Zillow indicates that about 2.9 million young adults moved in with a parent/grandparent between March 2020 and May 2020. For most students and their families there was little choice in the matter and little time to prepare. “Welcome home! You’re our kid in our house; these are our rules” “Well I’m not a kid and I didn’t really ask to be in your house right now” were common exchanges. During this session a faculty-staff member along with one of her MSU students will talk about their experience living under the same roof and how this experience has impacted them, including their wellbeing, student success, work, and relationships. As we reflect on the complexity of the familial system, which has the potential to bring new closeness but also old tensions, participants are invited to ask questions and share stories to inform lessons learned that can help us navigate this surreal experience. Although there is little precedent to guide us out of this pandemic, we can consider lived experience to help us support each other, student learning and success.
