In his recent Inside Higher Ed column, Confessions of a Community College Dean: I Needed, Matt Reed breaks the administrative fourth wall. He argues that in our rush to be the "everything" for our students—food pantry, mental health clinic, career coach, and academic lighthouse—we often neglect the phrase, "I needed help, too."
Technical and community colleges often operate in "fix-it" mode. But Reed’s "I Needed" moment suggests that the most powerful tool is actually vulnerability. When one admits they don't have all the answers, the "imposter syndrome" barrier is lowered inviting more first-generation and technical students to ask for help.
In the spirit of Matt Reed’s 'confession,' what is one thing you 'needed' this semester that you didn't feel comfortable asking for at the time?
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Was it a boundary between your personal and work life?
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Was it a moment of honesty with your students when a lesson didn't go as planned?
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Was it a resource that the institution hasn't yet prioritized?
For Discussion:
How can campus culture shift so that admitting a 'need' is seen as a professional strength rather than a sign of burnout?"
Relevant Research & Tools:
