Discovering the Student Experience

This past week Winebrenner Seminary hosted a gathering in which we deepened our understanding of the “typical” student experience. We followed a process rooted in “design thinking” and outlined a few weeks ago (click here to read more about the specific actions in each step).  This post is an update with photos to help illustrate and to encourage others to consider the experiences of those you serve!

The photos somewhat speak for themselves but supplies included magazines, scissors, tape, markers, and glue. Large sheets of brown paper were provided so that the profiles could be life size!

Step One: Building a Profile of a “Typical” Student

Each participant worked in a group composed of students, faculty, staff, and Board members.  Using the various supplies provided, they created a fictional character that represents their best understanding of a “typical” Winebrenner student.  This particular group was creating Candice (who you will meet below).

Step Two: Developing the Journey of the Student

Next, each group mapped out their Profile’s journey, identifying both past milestones and future possibilities. Once the profiles and journeys were complete, a team member presented the creations to the full room.

At the end of Steps One and Two, the student participants had the opportunity to vote and help filter the Profile and Journey most closely matched with their actual experience. This feedback helped sharpen our collective understanding and open up new conversations across the community. The following Profile (meet Candice!) and Journey were selected as the ones most closely aligned with the student experiences present in the room.

Step Three: Understanding the Problems Students Face

Building on the chosen Profile and Journey, participants explored the challenges a “typical” student encounters. This deepened the opportunity for conversation around the table.

Each group was encouraged to create a single “problem statement” that summarized the various items identified when reviewing the Profile and Journey. Here is the problem statement created by the group in the photo above.

Step Four: Understanding Winebrenner Theological Seminary as one Solution

In coming weeks I’ll be sharing more that emerged from discussing the following questions:

What problem(s) exist in the life of Candice that Winebrenner Seminary can help solve?

or

How can Winebrenner Seminary help serve as a solution to the problems you’ve identified?

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Thank you to the In Trust Center for Theological Schools for providing a Resource Grant to fund this activity! This was the first day of the Board of Trustees meeting – next week I’ll share more about that group and the second day of the gathering.

• Brent C. Sleasman, President