Dr. Krista Klein on Navigating Life Transitions in Higher Ed

Dustin chats with his former colleague, Krista, about her doctoral dissertation and current coaching work centered on how we navigate life transitions while trying to maintain our work lives. They also explore their shared experiences as parents to toddlers and how they manage expectations of being a parent.

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Key Takeaways

• Transitions Are Universal: From returning from vacation to major life events like parenthood or career shifts, transitions impact everyone. Developing coping strategies can help mitigate stress and improve long-term outcomes.
• Proactive Mental Health Support Is Key: Building coping skills before a crisis hits is critical. Institutions can help students and staff by providing resources and opportunities for proactive mental health support.
• Gender and Intersectionality Matter: Women, particularly those navigating multiple intersecting identities, face unique challenges during transitions. Understanding these complexities can guide more effective support strategies.
• The Role of Higher Education: Colleges and universities play a vital role in fostering environments that encourage growth, resilience, and preparation for life's inevitable changes.

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Episode Summary

The Personal and Professional Journey of a Lifelong Learner

Krista’s doctoral journey began in 2017, coinciding with her pregnancy—a dual transition that shaped her focus on how people navigate major life changes. Her dissertation explored how undergraduate women navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the intersectionality of gender, race, and social class in shaping their experiences. Krista’s work highlights the need for higher education professionals to understand and address the unique challenges faced by diverse populations during times of transition.

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The Importance of Proactive Coping Skills

Krista and Dustin emphasize the value of building coping mechanisms before a crisis occurs. For Krista, transitioning between professional and personal roles—like managing her responsibilities as a parent and a higher education leader—required developing strategies to manage anxiety and stress.

The conversation touches on the importance of pausing, recognizing false urgencies, and retraining physical and cognitive reactions to stress. By understanding how transitions impact mental and physical health, individuals can create sustainable habits that help them adapt to change more effectively.

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How Higher Ed Can Support Students and Staff Through Transitions

Higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to help students, faculty, and staff navigate life transitions. Krista’s research underscores the need for:

1. Accessible Resources: Institutions must provide proactive mental health support and tools to help individuals prepare for and navigate transitions effectively.
2. Acknowledging Intersectionality: Recognizing how identities like gender, race, and socioeconomic status shape individuals’ experiences is key to fostering equity and inclusion.
3. Prioritizing Community: Creating spaces where individuals feel connected and supported can reduce feelings of isolation during transitions.

For students, higher ed offers a space to build foundational skills for coping with transitions. For faculty and staff, institutions can support retention by addressing burnout, streamlining processes, and fostering a culture of care.

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