a good call
NASPA 2010
LIVE THE LEGACY
BE THE MOVEMENT
our time together
introduction to vocational programs
alumni spotlight
reflection and conversation
best practices
futher discussions

In this session, we describe two co-curricular "mentoring communities" -- one inclusive and one non-inclusive of faith -- that have successfully helped college students engage and explore questions of meaning, purpose, and vocation in their lives.
EVOKE
SCHOLARS
a community of students exploring their call to ministry
ONCALL
a 1-year exploration of vocation and life's big questions
EVOKE
HELPING STUDENTS EXPLORE VOCATIONAL QUESTIONS
jennifer haworth, ph.d.
john dahlstrand, m.a.
joseph earley, m.ed.
life's bigger questions
what is college life about?
how are you going to pay for college?
will you make friends?
will you graduate?
pick a major!
get a job!
are you prioritizing?
can you get it all done?
can you resolve conflicts with your roommate?
are you too busy?
should you date that person?
are you exercising?
are you healthy?
finish the term paper!
get another internship!
be careful!
what is the meaning of my life?
what brings me joy?
what are my gifts & talents?
what are my values and how do i live them?
what do i need to live more authentically?
what are the needs of the world?
what really matters? what has meaning?
exploration of vocation
PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE THE
to provide students with a supportive community in which to explore actively their callings to ordained or lay ministry


complete 150 “discernment hours” interviewing, shadowing, or volunteering to work with professionals whose work reflects students’ ministerial interests

gather bi-weekly for peer-led faith sharing gatherings 

engage in one Day of Reflection (fall) and retreat weekend (spring) 

meet at least once a month with a spiritual director for ongoing discernment 

participate in “reflective check-in” sessions with members of the evoke 
      staff
PROGRAM GOAL
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
to provide students a collective, inclusive community in which to explore the "big questions" safely and collaboratively


Monthly mentoring dinners/meetups with a faculty or staff member
Personal development/exploration workshops
Fall retreat
Enagements with university speakers
Spring break "Call of the Open Road" vocational exploration trip

PROGRAM GOAL
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Alissa Studnicka
Phil Gardner
B.A., Theology '09
EVOKE Scholars 2007-2009
BSN, RN, '09
EVOKE OnCall 2006
After hearing Phil & Alissa...
what internal conversations were you having?
what questions were you asking yourself?
based on your experience with college students
what concrete strategies have you found that seem to make a difference in helping students to engage and explore questions of vocation and spirituality in their lives?
BEST PRACTICES
1. meet students where they are at
II. vocation & faith can be scary
create intentional communities
III. transformational learning takes root
when learners & their experiences are at the center 
4 core practices facilitate meaningful vocation
"acting our way into a new way of thinking"
dialogue
listening
engagement
reflection