Social Pragmatics at Landmark College
Video Transcript
[Music]
Andrew Wilcox, Assistant Director of Social Pragmatics: At my former institution, I used to spend a lot of time with students as an academic coach. We would spend probably 98% of our time on how they are going to tackle what they need to get done. And you know, the last slice of the pie was: Are you a happy human? I don't think there's anything sadder than what I've experienced with a student who's gone and spent four years at college, went through all the challenges, all the courses, and still left without a friend, without somebody they felt was my buddy, somebody who understood me, somebody who I was close to. I think students get that opportunity here.
[Text on screen: The Landmark College Office of Social Pragmatic Programs and Services helps neurodivergent students transition to college, engage socially, and manage the challenges of relational interactions.]
Will Weinlaeder ’24: In middle school and high school, I just felt separate. I just felt different. It was clear that I was doing something wrong, but I just didn't know what it was. I went through Social Pragmatics the first year I was at Landmark. When I actually got the chance to learn about that, I felt like I could finally see clearly for once and actually have genuine friendship. After years of not actually having that and finally being able to like feel what it was like, it was one of the best experiences I've ever had in my life.
Thomas Kuzma, Coordinator of Online Student Life Programming & Support: Social Pragmatics is a program designed by Landmark to help neurodivergent college students not just understand social skills. We also try to uncover the neurodivergent individual's voice.
Wilcox: For each student, it's going to look different. We provide the class. We provide early orientation. And then we also provide direct support. They're going to get this experience to really think about the connections they want, the friendships they want, and how do they want to be in this world.
Isaac Alam ’19, Assistant Director of Social Coaching: Socializing is (a) truly important aspect of your college experience. So, everything that we're teaching the students, how we understand verbal cues, non-verbal cues, tone of voice, it's all research-based. What I want students to kind of walk away with is a better understanding of what social situation that they're in, have reduced anxiety, maintain the conversation, feel confident, and you know, in the long run, maintain and keep friends.
Kuzma: We run a wide variety of events for the students all through the week. This is something that needs building blocks and a foundation to start. The most important part is that they take what was happening in the classes and in the discussion groups and they experiment that within the events themselves. I have seen students go from being anxious, worried, and just self-isolating in their rooms to joining in nearly every single activity.
Sarah Yzkanin, Mental Health Counselor: I think what I've noticed from being here is that people tend to feel more confident when they've had more experience. And I think people also, you know, this is a time in their life where they're just starting to discover who they are.
Emily L., Current Student: I went through the Social Pragmatics during my first year. Learned about people, about how to make friends, how to start conversations with others.
Owain L., Current Student: At the basic level, it was how to interact with people, how to maintain a friendship. What happens when things go wrong, how do you approach those things and knowing the right steps for progression. I don't know where I'd be without it. It's one of the reasons probably why I'm even still here talking to you right now.
Forrest K., Current Student: The most helpful thing that I got was probably how to not be judgmental and not stereotype people. Since I learned not to do that, I have made tons of more friends. But it gives you new perspectives, new ways of thinking, and have a healthier social life.
Weinlaeder: It's helping us learn how to have friendships. It's giving us the opportunity to actually interact with other people. Just being able to have that friendship and being able to laugh and share jokes. It's something that everyone deserves to have. It was a huge turning point for me and I'm so happy that now they're essentially having that exact same moment that I did where I had the realization of: I have a friend now.
[Text on screen: 1 out of every 4 Landmark College students take(s) part in a Social Pragmatics program or activity during their time at LC.]
[Text on screen: Your support ensures that students not only have the opportunity to succeed academically, but thrive socially.]
[Music ends]
Weinlaeder: Thank you for tuning in. I hope you enjoyed watching what goes on and also seeing a sneak peek at what we do at Social Prag. Any support is greatly appreciated. It is an immense honor for people like us to be able to keep doing what we are able to do and have opportunities to grow and expand and learn. So, please, any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.