By Ryan Allen Wight
In January of this year, Kristine Goodwin moved into her new position as Vice President of Student Affairs here at Western New England University. Goodwin brings with her nine years of experience as a VP of Students and 18-20 years as a dean of student life, as well as having been a faculty member teaching ethics and a first year experience course.
Additionally, she has lived in residence halls and even worked as a hall monitor; and most recently, Goodwin has become a lawyer. With her dynamic education and extensive experience working with students and sharing their experiences, Goodwin approaches her role prepared to be a constructive force in the University community.
Goodwin’s recent time in law school indicates her familiarity with Title IX, Title VI, the Higher Education Act, and other pieces of legislation that are directly relevant for students. Becoming a lawyer also prepared her for the 2% of all situations in which “affective education,” or appealing to people’s sense of goodness, proves ineffective. Thus, she attended law school to equip herself more holistically for life and her work as VP of Students.
In this role, she has already connected with students and student groups in all corners of campus. Judging by her words and actions alike, Goodwin is already tackling what has been a persistent communication breakdown on campus and establishing rapport.
Perhaps most significantly, Goodwin expressed that she sees agreement between student values and administration values: “I want to live my life by choice and not by default… that’s what I mean by values.” She notes that even students who were very critical expressed a sense of communal belonging – and this was impressive and attractive.
But she heard most that students want an explanation. Give a rationale for this administrative decision; be transparent, so we can understand how this institution chooses to handle the resources that define – and can empower – our education. Education is the greatest civic privilege, and the most significant civic responsibility.
When discussing this, Goodwin directly stated that “being a Vice President means helping people understand why.” As someone who shuns to heed rules that make no sense, our new VP of Students prefers a communicative attitude to a retributive one. Further, Goodwin understands that she will “need to be called out” if the reason for a decision is not given in detail and transparency.
Goodwin has taken an intentional step in this direction by floating her email communications to some students prior to sending them to the community in order to get feedback on the language; for example, is what she attempts to communicate being understood? Or are there significant student concerns regarding the topic of the email that are not addressed?
Goodwin also addressed other student issues – particularly, preserving mental health and empowering diversity – emphasizing their objective importance and personal significance to her. Overall, her approach to the VP of Students position has involved asking questions, communicating, and more communicating; it’s exciting to see what will happen on this new two-way street!
