“Basic Introduction” is a scenario where the only opportunity is to provide students with a basic intro to the learning culture. It is one of five scenarios addressed in the “How!” guide with recommendations for application of the learning culture praxis model. Other scenarios include: Summer Bridge Program, Academic Support Program, Class, and Other opportunities for introducing students to the learning culture and engaging them in the application of learning culture practices and strategies.
As an example of the Basic Intro scenario, I created a business-card size learning culture promo card, shown above, to have the ability to turn on the lights for students anywhere and anytime, and regardless of whether I have only a few seconds or more to engage with students. When I give a card to a student, I say to them, “If you believe me, I have just transformed your life!” It’s a wonderful feeling when I walk away knowing that another student has been empowered to create their own success.
A Thanksgiving-basic intro opportunity happened when I visited the UC San Diego (UCSD) bookstore on the day before Thanksgiving to purchase a UCSD polo shirt in preparation for my post-Thanksgiving trip to Atlanta, where I was scheduled to take the learning culture revolution to Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) in presentations to students and faculty & staff. I am very proud to wear “doctoral polo shirts” when I present in celebration of my MESA stars who earn doctoral degrees. This is my “cultural” attire, and I needed a UCSD polo shirt for my visit to GGC because I wanted to celebrate my MESA star, Sergio Alfonso Sandoval Escobedo (pictured below), a first-generation Latino student who commuted daily across the San Diego-Tijuana border when he began his studies at San Diego City College. He earned aerospace engineering degrees – first a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech, followed by a Ph.D. degree from UC San Diego, on his way to becoming an aerospace engineer with NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
At the UCSD bookstore, I needed help to find their selection of polo shirts. This is when I met Ariana, a bookstore team member, first-generation Latina from Riverside (CA), and third year UCSD student majoring in psychology. I had no doubt that she was in the dark with regards to the learning culture. After Ariana helped me to select a polo shirt, I took the opportunity to transform her life. I first asked if anyone at UCSD had said the words “learning culture” to her. She answered, “No,” (this was not a surprise!) and I replied, “Well, then this is your lucky day, because I am about to transform your life!” I then gave her a learning culture card and proceeded to explain the two parts of the learning culture and the learning culture resources referenced on the card, including the learning culture training plan for students, with basic training videos. With a big smile, and the look of hope in her eyes, Ariana simply said, “Thank you!” I walked away with my UCSD polo shirt and the wonderful feeling of knowing that yet another student, with great potential, had been empowered to create her own success, and this encounter was extra special given that it took place during Thanksgiving week!