The Office of Intercultural Programs values the student experience.  In doing so, the office takes great pride in providing opportunities for students to strengthen their oral and written communication skills.  Additionally, the office focuses on several key components related to wellness designed to compliment the student's character, such as mental and physical health, social and political connectedness, and intellectual integrity.  The office has identified these areas of development as major contributors to high personal quality advancement.

The following paraprofessional positions have been created by the Office of Intercultural Programs to make certain students are being offered opportunities to enhance their talents and skills.  Moreover, these positions are advantageous to students because they provide co-operative learning experiences complimentary to the abovementioned areas of personal and professional development.

To ensure that every paraprofessional position demonstrates excellence, the director schedules bi-weekly meetings for Time on Performance (T.O.P.) evaluations.  T.O.P. is a strategy used to measure the maturation process of student leaders from appointment to resignation.  These meetings serve as consultations for students to gain valuable insight in their leadership and contributions to campus. 

Time on Performance evaluations focus on several key components related to great organizational leadership.

• Advancement (Is your organization better with you as a leader?)
• Development (Is your executive board meeting the demands of the position and being challenged?)
• Innovation (What new concepts and ideas have your organization exercised because of your leadership and vision?)
• Character (Does your organization have a reputation for high quality programs and services?)
• Visibility (Is your organization active on campus and in the community?)
• Community (Has your organization taken advantage of service learning opportunities?)
• Perception (What is the internal perception of your organization?)

Personal And Professional Development Coordinator(s)

Description

Assist student clients who are seeking information and assistance with career planning and employment resources. Help with the development of resumes, cover letters, career searching, graduate school deadlines, time management, planning and interviewing skills. Serve as a liaison between Career Services and the Office of Intercultural Programs. 

Job Assignments

• To educate and assist Buena Vista University students in their pursuit of career and leadership opportunities as they prepare to lead and serve in a career-driven society. 
• To offer Buena Vista University students the most relevant and effective personal and professional development services and programs possible while utilizing state-of-the-art technology.
• To personalize services to best meet the personal and professional development needs of individual students. 
• To provide outstanding peer-to-peer leadership and assist all students to acquire satisfying employment and graduate school acceptance upon graduation from Buena Vista University.

General Responsibilities

• Provide counseling for students regarding careers, employment opportunities and graduate school information.
• Provide personal guidance for individual students as needed.
• Provide resource information for internship opportunities.
• Contributing to the development of personal development in the areas of education, careers, and decision-making.
• Observe and evaluate Personal Development and Creative Communications workshops. 

Personal Development

• Develop a three-to-five year plan for all students (intellectual, occupational, spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental).
• Maintain records of student's participation in the program.
• Develop a student leadership plan for personal and professional growth and development.
• Facilitate workshops for personal and professional development (30-60 minute workshop) once a month.
• Provide a report to the Office of Intercultural Programs (collect and analyze data to measure growth and success of the program).