Dave’s Story: College Men’s Identity Exploration through Participation in Qualitative Research

Several years ago I was involved in my dissertation research project.  My qualitative study explored the perceptions a group of first-year male students had about interacting with faculty outside of class.  Talk about exploding one’s research scope; not only were my participants first-year men, but they were also White, and first in their family to potentially graduate from college.  So, I had a veritable smorgasbord of identities to deal with as I set up the study.  

Each participant sat for three individual interviews, each of which lasted between 45 minutes and 2 hours. One of my participants – let’s call him Dave – was one of my favorites (I wasn’t supposed to have those but it happened).  He was funny, open-minded, smart, expressive, vulnerable, confident, and inquisitive.  His story was one of hardship and success, misunderstandings and friendship, and family love and strife.  “Breaking Away” emerged as the central theme from Dave’s three interviews.  He was from a small town and he perceived its people to be racist, homophobic, and intolerant of most non-Christian religions.  All he wanted growing up was go to college away from home, beat the odds most believed he couldn’t, and be successful in college and in life.  He visited the campus by himself over the summer, registered for classes, and when it came time to move into his residence hall, he did so by himself as well.  I was entirely enthralled by his story.  Months later I could still hear his voice and see his smile as I combed through the transcripts working on a publication.

Long story short, I completed the interviews, finished the dissertation, and ended up moving to another state with my family.  I friended some of my research participants on Facebook later that year, Dave among them.  I suppose we stayed in loose contact over the years.  He graduated and moved far away from his home state.  Every once in a while I “liked” one of his posts or he one of mine, but no substantive messages were ever exchanged.  That changed a little over a year ago when Dave Facebooked me indicating how much he had been thinking about the interviews (more than half a decade ago after they took place), how he wondered what he had said then, and how he wished he would have known then what he knew now.  I was elated about him reaching out and inquired more about his motivation to contact me.  He shared more of how much the interviews meant to him, and how I was the first person with whom he wanted to share more of his identity at the time because I was open to listening, because I wasn’t judging him, and because I wouldn’t share anything with anyone.  He trusted me as a researcher - and perfect stranger really - with some of his secrets. This exchange of messages was eye-opening to me and reaffirmed what we as educators hope for whenever we connect with a student: that we can make a difference, perhaps not noticed in the moment, but over time.  

Since reconnecting, I have interviewed Dave twice on the phone and am interviewing him once more in person in a few weeks when I am in his city.  The focus of the manuscript I will write for publication will rest on self-authorship and identity development of college men through participating in qualitative research.  

I have also since talked with others who conducted similar research with college men.  One good colleague mentioned that during a follow-up study with participants two summers ago, most of the men said the original interviews were among the most powerful experiences they had during their undergraduate careers.  One of the most powerful?!  It is telling that research participation can mean so much to students, specifically to college men.  College men are often at odds with the way they perceive to be socialized by families, schools, and society and how they may conceive of themselves.  The resulting conflict can lead to a host of concerns, chief among them the fear to show emotion or vulnerability.  Yet, the need to explore and reflect on these feelings exists and remains in men.  

Dave’s story, and those of so many other college men who participate in a variety of interpersonal, communicative, or expressive activities paint an image of positive identity development through prolonged individual or small group conversation and engagement.  Not all college educators are trained counselors or may have time to engage in qualitative research with young men.  But the rapport qualitative researchers build with participants is near synonymous with the rapport student affairs professionals or faculty must create to reach, guide, counsel, advise, teach, and mentor students.  Finding ways to engage men in deep conversation or reflection is necessary in coursework, during educational programs, during conduct or advising sessions, on alternative spring break trips or study abroad sojourns, during service learning experiences, or simply in everyday face-to-face conversation.  Research has suggested for years that critical conversation and reflection in one-on-one or small group settings may do wonders for men’s positive identity development.  Over time this kind of engagement may lead college men away from attitudes and behaviors associated with performing masculinity and becoming more self-actualized and authentic individuals.  Finally, men who have been encouraged to engage in this personal exploration and reflection may more easily commit to acting in solidarity with marginalized students on campus and members of society.  So, whether you conduct a research study with college men or sit across from them during a regular one-on-one meeting, don’t underestimate the potential influence a conversation will have on them.

Jörg Vianden is Assistant Professor of Student Affairs Administration at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  His scholarship focuses mainly on college men and masculinities.  Please consider following him on twitter at @jvianden.

Seeking Coordinator Positions!

The leadership team for the SCMM had productive meetings in Indianapolis and set some terrific goals for our year ahead. During those meetings, the leadership team has set forth on a mission to move away from a professional development model that emphasizes the five day convention to a more comprehensive 365-day professional development and engagement model. This is only fitting that we embark on this direction in the year of our 30th anniversary within ACPA.

In order to achieve this goal, we are in need of volunteers who would be willing to serve as Coordinators. Coordinator roles are one-year appointed leadership roles that support the Vice Chairs in their work. These are meant as professional development opportunities for individuals to become more directly involved in the work of the SCMM and benefit our group as well as the larger Association. In order to be a Coordinator you must be a current member of ACPA & will be renewing your membership for next year.

This post includes a description of all of the Coordinator roles; please review these descriptions closely. To apply for a Coordinator position or multiple positions, please click here. Applications are due Wednesday, April 30 by 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

In the next few months, we look forward to telling you about upcoming free webinars that will be available to all of our members as well as opportunities for you to connect and dialogue with colleagues through our interest clusters. We hope that you will be excited about the programs we are planning, and I look forward to having several of you partner with us in these available Coordinator roles to see these ideas come to fruition!

Thank you so much for your continued membership and support of the SCMM!

*To apply for a Coordinator position or multiple positions*, please click *here

<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Dln94uK6xvUYBDevrkAB0jW4P2sT5leuWMrVU7Hkgu0/viewform>.*

 *Applications are due Wednesday, April 30 by 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time*.

ACPA Standing Committee on Men and Masculinities

2014-2015 Coordinator Position Descriptions

Coordinator for Scholarship Review

The SCMM Coordinator for Scholarship Review works in conjunction with the Vice Chair for Research and Scholarship reviewing submitted works to be considered for publication. This individual will review proposals and submissions, provide editing and feedback, as well as assess their value in addressing the needs of our constituents. The Coordinator will also help in the recruitment of colleagues to submit works for publication.

·         Work closely with the Vice Chair for Research and Scholarship

·         Review submitted works to be considered for publication

·         Help in the selection of submissions to be published

·         Communicate with submission writers regarding the progress of their work

·         Publicize written works to Committee and larger ACPA/Higher Education communities

·         Encourage authors to submit SCMM sponsored program proposals for ACPA 2015

Coordinator for Webinar Development

The SCMM Coordinator for Webinar Development works in conjunction with the Vice Chair for Research and Scholarship identifying, recruiting, and selecting scholarly presentations for the SCMM Webinar Series. This individual will research individuals who may provide quality presentations, conduct outreach with potential presenters, and coordinate logistics for webinar development. The Coordinator will also help in the promotion of the SCMM Webinar Series.

·         Work closely with the Vice Chair for Research and Scholarship

·         Research and identify scholar practitioners who can contribute to the SCMM Webinar Series

·         Conduct outreach and recruitment to secure presenters for the SCMM Webinar Series

·         Coordinate logistics with presenters for the development of webinar presentations

·         Publicize webinars to Committee and larger ACPA/Higher Education communities

·         Encourage presenters to submit SCMM sponsored program proposals for ACPA 2015

Coordinator for Sponsored Programs

The SCMM Coordinator for Sponsored Programs works in conjunction with the Vice Chair for Convention Programs to recruit, review, and select sponsored programs for the annual ACPA convention.  The Coordinator will help in the recruitment of program reviewers from the ACPA SCMM membership and assist the Vice Chair in all aspects of programming for the annual convention, including sponsored programs, SCMM events, and other programs.

·         Collaborate with the Vice Chair for Research and Scholarship and the Vice Chair of Marketing and Communications to coordinate the marketing of the following:

o   Sponsored Programming Proposals

o   Sponsored Programming Closed Reviewers

o   Convention Programming Marketing

·         Implement planning to identify programing reviewers for the Sponsored Programming Proposals

·         Communicate with various programming chairs regarding sponsorship of programs

·         Work w/ Vice Chair on selection of sponsored programming for Convention. 

·         Work w/ Vice Chair to plan and implement Convention programming

Coordinator for SCMM Blog

The Coordinator for SCMM Blog works in conjunction with the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications to provide oversight of the Blog (http://acpascmm.blogspot.com/). This individual will recruit bloggers, oversee the blog schedule, assist bloggers in editing, and post blogs. This Coordinator is an important position in helping us engage our membership in a 365 day engagement process.

·         Work closely with the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications & the Coordinators for Twitter, Facebook/LinkedIn, & Graphic Design

·         Recruit bloggers

·         Coordinate the blog schedule

·         Assist bloggers in providing editorial insight

·         Share the blogging information to help engage members across multiple identities throughout the year

·         Assist in live-tweeting SCMM programs/events, as needed.

·         Provide regular analytic data to the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications

·         Participate in bi-weekly &/or monthly check in’s

Coordinator for Facebook and Linkedin

The SCMM Coordinator for Facebook and Linkedin works in conjunction with the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications to provide oversight of these two social media platforms. This individual will provide direction for the strategic use, network growth, and use of these two sites. This Coordinator will also help to launch our Linkedin site. This Coordinator is an important position in helping us engage our membership in a 365 day engagement process.

·         Work closely with the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications & the Coordinators for Blogging, Twitter, Graphic Design, & the SCMM Leadership Team

·         Develop Linkedin site

·         Help serve as a primary provider of resources and engagement via these social media sites

·         Help advertise the blog, publications, articles, engagement opportunities, etc. & help connect users to other SCMM Social Media outlets

·         Assist in live-tweeting SCMM programs/events, as needed.

·         Provide analytic data to the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications

·         Participate in bi-weekly &/or monthly check in’s

Coordinator for Twitter

The SCMM Coordinator for Twitter works in conjunction with the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications to provide oversight of the SCMM Twitter Account. This individual will help engage perspective members, other ACPA/higher education organizations (committees, commissions, etc.) & help. This individual will play a crucial role in engaging members in opportunities, research, events, articles, etc. This Coordinator is an important position in helping us engage our membership in a 365 day engagement process.

·         Work closely with the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications & the Coordinators for Blogging, Facebook/Linkedin, Graphic Design, & the SCMM Leadership Team

·         Engage Membership

·         Help serve as a primary provider of resources and engagement via Twitter

·         Help advertise the blog, publications, articles, engagement opportunities, etc. & help connect users to other SCMM Social Media outlets

·         Assist in live-tweeting SCMM programs/events, as needed.

·         Provide analytic data to the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications

·         Participate in bi-weekly &/or monthly check in’s

Coordinator for Marketing & Graphic Design

The SCMM Coordinator for Marketing & Graphic works in conjunction with the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications. This individual will assist in the design, communication, and distribution of materials created for the SCMM to engage our membership in upcoming events, opportunities, research, conferences, etc. This Coordinator is an important position in helping us engage our membership in a 365 day engagement process. Skill in Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Photoshop, or other software is strongly desired.

·         Work closely with the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications & the Coordinators for Blogging, Facebook/Linkedin, Twitter, & the SCMM Leadership Team

·         Design fliers, communication materials, & additional means of advertising for ACPA SCMM that will be geared toward ACPA Members and other higher education community members

·         Work closely with other Coordinators and Vice Chairs to help create marketing materials for special events, including an annual convention schedule or internal publications.

·         Assist in the design of the annual SCMM pin, one of the group’s largest fundraisers

·         Assist in live-tweeting SCMM programs/events, as needed.

·         Provide analytic data to the Vice Chair for Marketing and Communications

·         Participate in bi-weekly &/or monthly check in’s

Coordinator for Fundraising & Sponsorship

The SCMM Coordinator for Fundraising & Sponsorship works in conjunction with the Vice Chair for Special Projects. This individual will assist in the creation and implementation of fundraising activities on behalf of the Standing Committee on Men & Masculinities. This Coordinator is an important position in helping us creating opportunities to engage our membership in a 365 day engagement process. A strong interest in fundraising and development work is necessary for this position.

·         Actively create opportunities for fundraising throughout the year in support of the SCMM

·         Pursue opportunities for sponsorship or grant-funding for the SCMM to help fund new projects and initiatives

·         Work closely with other Coordinators and Vice Chairs to help support work happening throughout the SCMM leadership team

·         Assist in the design of the annual SCMM pin, one of the group’s largest fundraisers, with the help of the Coordinator for Marketing & Graphic Design, and coordinate the sales of these projects.

·         Work to create partnerships, as appropriate per ACPA guidelines, for co-sponsors of our annual convention social and/or other programs, projects, and initiatives

·         Participate in bi-weekly &/or monthly check in’s

Coordinator for Membership Outreach

The SCMM Coordinator for Membership Outreach works in conjunction with the Vice Chair for Interest Clusters & Awards.  This individual will assist in the creation and implementation of membership outreach initiatives on behalf of the Standing Committee on Men & Masculinities. This Coordinator is an important position in helping us creating opportunities to engage our membership in a 365 day engagement process.

·         Create avenues on educating ACPA members on how to affiliate with the SCMM

·         Pursue opportunities with other entity groups (e.g., Standing Committees, Commissions, State/International organizations) to promote the SCMM and the work happening within the group

·         Assist the Vice Chair for Interest Clusters & Awards in the marketing of the SCMM awards nominate process.

·         Work closely with other Coordinators and Vice Chairs to help support work happening throughout the SCMM leadership team to promote opportunities for engagement for our members

·         Assist with the creation, implementation, and maintenance of a database of volunteer opportunities associated with the SCMM to get members connected and engaged with the SCMM.

·         Help the Vice Chair for Interest Clusters and Awards as well as the chairs of the Interest Clusters with any specific projects or tasks, as needed.

·         Participate in bi-weekly &/or monthly check in’s