Student Life Spotlight 2025 View Other Sessions

"Essentialism", by Greg McKeown is rooted in corporate culture, and while many of the anecdotes do not seem relevant to higher education, the 'do less, better' philosophy can benefit many of us. In a profession where many of us are asked to 'do more with less' this book provides tools to help us draw boundaries and make decisions.

Join this spotlight session to learn about staff takeaways from the “Student Veterans: The Power of Peer Support” session from this year’s Mental Health on College Campuses Conference. Presenters will discuss their experiences attending this panel session and what they learned about the Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) Program, in addition to some of the unique strengths and challenges faced by military and military-affiliated students. Presenters will share personal accounts related to this topic and how those, paired with the education and awareness gained from recently attended sessions, inform their work in supporting Housing students. The presentation will also include established resources on campus for students who are veterans or are affiliated with the military, highlighting the community-building and advocacy efforts taking place here at the University of Michigan.

This spotlight will explore the concept of a cycle of shame (authored by D.L. Nathanson) and the connection between shame and feeling a sense of belonging. How to recognize dynamics of shame and understanding the triggers, can lead to how empathy and vulnerability can be the antidote to shame. Responses to shame can include withdrawal, self attack, and avoidance - all behaviors we can observe in our communities. What ways can we help students move through shame toward productive, positive engagement? The presenter will offer reflections that inform restorative practices.