STUDENT AFFAIRS 13 ANNUAL REPORT The team develops and implements early intervention plans tailored to meet specific students’ needs to promote student success and wellness. The Northern CARES framework is grounded in the research-based best practices of NaBITa® (the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association) that fosters a safe and supportive environment. Key Result 137 of the Student Affairs Strategic Plan (20202021) called for the creation and branding of a Northern CARES Program that would take the good work of BIG to the next level. This included promoting care to students of concern, protecting confidentiality, and working within a bestpractice framework to gather data, assess information utilizing a rubric, and implement effective and tangible interventions. Krista Bau, Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities/ Title IX Coordinator, chairs Northern CARES, with the following members: Sean Blackburn, Dean of Students; Marty Sabolo, Director of Residence Life and Dining Services; Heather Aldentaler, Director of Counseling Services; Angela Senger, Campus Police Officer; Britt Lorenz, Executive Director of Student Success; and Terri Holmes, Senior Associate Director of Athletics. The team receives, reviews, and maintains records of information about concerns regarding student behavior that is potentially harmful and/or disruptive to the Northern community. Collectively, the group performs an initial assessment of risk based on the NaBITa® rubric with the goal of developing a proactive intervention plan designed to mitigate risk and promote student well-being and success. The team also educates the university community on the Northern CARES process and how to identify and report student behaviors of concern. Good process requires the team to annually review their procedures and protocols and assess team effectiveness. With the launch of Northern CARES, campus was asked to help build a culture of caring by sharing concerning behavior. Community members who feel a student is a threat to self or others, or is exhibiting concerning or disruptive behaviors are encouraged to complete the Northern CARES referral form. The referral form can be found online. Northern CARES; supporting students and keeping campus safe Northern CARES is the new, collaborative, and multi-disciplinary team focused on identifying, assessing, and supporting students of concern. Formerly known as “BIG,” the goal of Northern CARES is to help create a culture of care, proactively identify students, and address concerns in a timely manner that is destigmatizing and restorative in nature. Contact Krista Bau (Krista.bau@northern.edu) if you would like to learn more or to schedule a department presentation on Northern CARES. Dr. Chelsee A. Shortt Named Student Affairs Faculty Partner of the Year Shortt, an Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Sports Sciences, was selected by Student Affairs Senior Staff for this inaugural designation for her outstanding service to students and Northern State University. “Dr. Shortt has a ‘can do’ attitude and is always willing to support students and Student Affairs,” said Sean Blackburn, Dean of Students. Dr. Shortt served on numerous committees and working groups in the past year that has had a positive impact on the student experience. She has advocated for student mental health, student athletes, and led an effort to advocate for a new human performance and wellness center on campus to support curricular and cocurricular wellness programing and initiatives. Dr. Shortt received her Ph.D. in Physical Education and Pedagogy from the University of South Carolina, in Colombia SC, in 2019, her Masters of Arts in Education from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA, in 2015, and her Bachelors of Liberal Arts from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA, in 2011. She joined the Northern faculty in 2019. Shortt has been widely published and was recently awarded an NCAA grant aimed at enhancing studentathlete mental health. Her commitment to students, student development, and Northern are unwavering making her the ideal Faculty Partner of the Year.
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