In this month’s missive from a member of the University’s leadership team, Director of the Center for Student Development Bob Pederson reflects on the broad array of advising, counseling, career-development, and testing services provided by the staff of nine he oversees in Franklin Hall.
Dear Alumni and Friends of UMF:
Thirty years ago, in 1989, I was hired as the Director of the Center for Human Development (CHD) at UMF. At that time we were located at 115 South Street (currently the Creative Writing House), and we shared the building with the Department of Public Safety. There were two main aspects of the CHD that I was hired to supervise: the Career Placement Office and Personal Counseling. Over the years a great deal has changed, including a renovation and move to Franklin Hall, a name change to the Center for Student Development (CSD), and new programs and services. The original functions of the CSD have evolved and additional responsibilities have expanded our services to students. Throughout our growth, the core mission of this department has always been and continues to be student-centered and collaborative.
Bob Pederson, the 30-year director of the University’s Center for Student Development.
In 1989, the Career Placement Office was focused on collecting credentials for teachers and sending packets to inquiring school districts. This function changed dramatically with the introduction of the World Wide Web. The Internet changed how jobs were advertised and how job searches were conducted; within a short period of time the old “placement” model was out of date. One of the first meetings that I remember attending in the fall semester of my first year was with faculty in Rehabilitation Services to discuss ways of increasing internship opportunities for students. This focus on experiential learning has been a key element of Career Service work for as long as I have worked at UMF. We continue to run job fairs, hold resume workshops, and other events. Career Advisors Steve Davis and Cyndi McShane ’07 are frequent classroom presenters and made more than 80 guest appearances last year. One of our favorite events is the College to Career Symposium, where we invite alumni to share their career development wisdom with students.
Some Alumni who majored in UMF’s many education programs may remember the weekends given to the National Teacher’s Exams. The paper and pencil tests were administered three or four times per year, and we would fill nearly every classroom on campus with test-takers. The NTE’s were replaced by the PRAXIS exams and are now administered via computer. Few people know about our Testing Service located on third floor of Franklin, which administers more than 350 exams, ranging from graduate school placement tests to professional licensure exams. In the capable hands of Janice Crandall ’94 and Kristy Hutchins, Testing Service administered more than 2,600 exams last year, including nearly 1,200 tests to community members. This service represents a significant contribution to workforce development in our host region and throughout Maine.
Mental health counseling has always been a core feature of the CSD. The mental health needs of college students have been well documented in recent media stories. UMF has recognized this trend and kept pace with hiring additional counselors to serve that need.
In 1992–93, the three full-time equivalent counselors met with 250 individual students in 860 mental-health-related appointments. Those numbers swelled to 350 students and 1,700 appointments in 2017–18.
Katie Fournier ’01, Gavin Pickering ’08 and Sarah Carnahan ’05 comprise the current team of clinical mental health counselors supported by our long-time Administrative Specialist Judy Burdick. With generous support from an anonymous donor, we will be adding another clinical mental health counselor for the 2019–20 academic year.
During the 1990s, the CHD was also home for International Student Advising. This was an exciting time at UMF with a vibrant International Club and nearly 50 international students and scholars studying or working on campus. Some readers may remember the French Immersion Program, International-themed housing, and robust exchange programs to France, China, Russia, and Great Britain. The International House (now Mainely Outdoors) was home to visiting Russian and Chinese professors and a gathering place for students.
Starting in 2005–06 the Liberal Arts Undeclared Advising Program was added to our portfolio of services. Since then, we have worked with a volunteer staff of faculty and professionals from across campus to provide academic advising for approximately 100 undeclared students each year. This work is closely supported by our Career Advisors and Lori Soucie ’08, who provides leadership in training advisors and supporting the students in the program until they declare their major.
It has been a pleasure to work with so many wonderful colleagues at UMF. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to hire capable and professional alumni who have given so much back to their alma mater. The many students who worked in our office as peer advisors, front desk office workers, special project assistants and interns have a special place in my heart and memory. I am also proud of the CSD’s unwavering commitment to student learning and the collaborative nature of all of our functions.
Robert Pederson,
Director of the Center for Student Development
Adopted Beaver since 1989
A licensed professional counselor, Pederson has received the University’s Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Staff, and Excellence in Academic Advising awards. This June, after 30 years of supporting students’ personal growth with tremendous skill, compassion, and integrity, Pederson will retire from UMF.