Don’t Cancel That Class!

Don’t Cancel That Class! is offline for the Spring 2023 semester

Reach out to Hunter Kirschner at hunter.kirschner@keene.edu or (603) 358-2639 with any questions.

If you must miss a class due to personal or professional obligations, and you cannot find another faculty member to cover your class, don’t cancel that class!

Rather than sending your students home, bring in a skilled staff member to do programming and take advantage of your valuable class time! These workshops cover a variety of topics and are a great way for students to learn about important resources available to them at Keene State. If you know about your absence at least 2 weeks in advance, fill out the form below to request a substitute program.

Below is a list of the currently offered presentations and workshops, then below that is the form to request a program. If you have any questions regarding the offered programs, please contact Hunter Kirschner at hunter.kirschner@keene.edu or 603-358-2639.

Table of Contents

Don’t Cancel That Class! is offline for the Spring 2023 semester
1. Reach out to Hunter Kirschner at or (603) 358-2639 with any questions.
Workshops and Presentations Offered
Program Request Form

Workshops and Presentations Offered

Being Ready for an Emergency at KSC | 45 mins

Nobody plans to have an emergency at a particular day or time, so people are often taken by surprise by unexpected events. Using principles from the social sciences and active bystander guidelines, this presentation describes the 4 key emergencies most likely to occur at KSC (fires, medical emergencies, power outages, and active shooters) and the community’s role in responding to them in an engaging and interactive way. Participants will benefit from this education in on campus situations, at home, and while traveling.

Presented by Ralph Stuart, Physical Plant

Bible as Literature | 1 hr

The Judeo-Christian Bible is one of the most-quoted works of literature in the world, and a treasure trove of different literary genres. From epic to poem, letter to apocryphal, Ancient Near Eastern biography to Greek Irony, the Judeo-Christian Bible covers the spectrum of genres and writing styles. This presentation helps students look at this influential and important work of literature as just that: literature. It also helps them place it within its own cultural contexts and in the parade of world literature, seeing which works it references, as well as which works reference it, and how.

Presented by Cindy Cheshire, The Newman Center

Biblical Literacy for Secular Culture | 1 hr

In our postmodern society, it’s easy to think that we’ve moved beyond religion in the public sphere, but so many elements of modern media and politics still claim a Biblical basis—often misguidedly so. What’s an informed populace to do? This workshop helps participants from all backgrounds form the tools to recognize common Biblically-based religious arguments in news media and political discussion, understand the texts’ literary background, recognize when texts are being used inappropriately, and be an active participant in such conversations—even if they aren’t personally religious or come from a different tradition.

Faith and spirituality may be personal, but when they’re being used to justify public policy, it’s everybody’s business! Possible topics to focus on can include:

Women’s issues and feminism in Biblical texts
LGBTQ+ issues
“Intelligent design” and understandings of Creation theories in education
Religious language in political discourse

Presented by Cindy Cheshire, The Newman Center

Conflict Resolution | 1 hr

This presentation examines different aspects of resolving conflict including communication skills and blockers, conflict styles, the conflict escalator, “I” vs “You” messages, and the problem-solving approach.

Presented by Dr. Leo Sandy, Education Department

Courageous Communication | 1 hr

This presentation involves opening and maintaining communication with people who have opposing views for the purpose of developing mutual understanding and respect.

Presented by Dr. Leo Sandy, Education Department

Cross-Cultural Learning and Adjustment | 1 hr

Cross-cultural learning occurs when we step out of our “comfort zone” and interact with people and/or places different than what we are accustomed to. We have all had cross-cultural experiences. In this session, we will discuss this topic and explore strategies for navigating through some of the challenges these profoundly meaningful experiences can raise within us. We will review briefly the cross-cultural adjustment learning curve also. Students by the end of the session will have a better understanding of what “cross-cultural” means for them.

Presented by Dr. Skye Stephenson, Global Education Office

Family Roles - How do these roles still impact us? | 1.5 hr

This presentation will review roles and coping skills that often develop within our families of origin. Participants will explore their own roles, how these roles relate to both health and unhealthy coping skills in their lives, and will explore how these coping skills are serving them in their current lives. This presentation asks participants to share some personal information as they feel comfortable. This presentation aims to support students in self-exploration.

Presented by Melissa Langill, The Wellness Center

Getting into the Zone! - Stress Management | 1 - 1.5 hr

Students often experience high stress, but don’t always know how to manage it well. This program helps participants identify their particular stressors, identify the signs and effects their stress is causing in their lives, and then learn some ways to cope more positively.

Coordinated by Forrest Seymour, The Wellness Center

How Do We Change? | 1.5 hr

This presentation will focus on the Stages of Change- a behavior change model widely used in the mental health and addictions fields. Participants will learn the stages and practice applying this model to behaviors in their own lives. Participants will also learn strategies to help move people through the Stages of Change.

Presented by Melissa Langill, The Wellness Center

“How to Owl” Earn the Best Return, as You Learn! | 1 hr

This is a leadership, experiential learning and self-reflective session. Orientation teams up with the Transition office to offer this dynamic program. The aim is to give any student the opportunity to focus on ways to improve themselves and their educational experience. First year or sophomore courses may focus more on “Settling in with Mad Skills, Self-Advocacy, or seeking student services.” Whereas upper level courses may want more emphasis on “Leadership skills, and Theory to application” . Keene State has a rich tradition of leading students to accomplish great things. We pull wisdom from successful Alumni and student leaders to provide the best practices and inspirations for you to craft your journey! Topics covered include:

The power of narrative: Student success stories and understanding how to embrace your own stories
Mad Skills Stress Management: Every student goes through positive and negative times. Sharpen up your self-awareness and techniques to better master your emotions.
Building resilience: Practice is a foundation of any skill building and learning. Engage in activities to build determination and grit to keep working through challenging practice time.
Self-Advocacy: Identifying and strengthening leadership skills: How to perform your best and communicate your needs and wants
Finding the right people: Make meeting mentors much easier, hear about student involvement, and know where to find support services for when you get stuck.
Theory to application- How to take what you have learned and apply it to your passions and practice outside the classroom.

Presented by Casey Justice and Matt Schmidt, Transition and Parent Programs Office

Live Well KSC 101 | 1 hr

This interactive workshop focuses on Live Well KSC, the campus-wide wellness initiative that connects students with the many KSC programs and services designed to support student well-being and success. They will learn about the dimensions of wellness, campus wellness resources, and ways to stay connected at KSC.

Presented by Tiffany Mathews, The Wellness Center

Meet the Wellness Center | 1 hr

Learn about programs and services that the Wellness Center offers KSC students. We’ll introduce you to our staff in addition to giving you a virtual tour of our space. See how we can support you throughout your college journey and beyond.

Presented by Tiffany Mathews, The Wellness Center

MeToo @ KSC: Preventing Sexual Violence | 1 - 1.5 hr

Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) student peer educators, under the supervision of Counseling Services staff, will be happy to customize a sexual violence prevention program to your needs. Each MVP program includes interactive activities, video and discussion. While the primary goal of all MVP programs is to help us all feel more able to recognize and respond to sexual violence, to be active-bystanders, each program also focuses on a particular topic of interest to you and your students.

Coordinated by Forrest Seymour, The Wellness Center

Positive Psychology and Well Being | 1 hr

This presentation involves a new field in psychology based on research on the bases of wellbeing that focuses on optimum human functioning and flourishing. Topics include gratitude, the hedonic treadmill, flow, and ways to enhance mental and physical health.

Presented by Dr. Leo Sandy, Education Department

Social Justice, Advocacy, and the Helping Professions | 1 hr

This presentation focuses on the need and rationale of client advocacy through social action on the part of helping professionals based on the assumption that many forms of stress and dysfunction do not occur in a vacuum and are exacerbated by prejudice and discrimination, glass ceilings, and policies and structures that prevent people from achieving their potentials.

Presented by Dr. Leo Sandy, Education Department

Theory and Practice of Nonviolence | 1 hr

This presentation examines various aspects of nonviolence including its mechanisms, historical examples, major categories and types, issues, concepts, limitations, and how it differs from violence.

Presented by Dr. Leo Sandy, Education Department

When Should I Worry? | 1.5 hr

The intention of this training is to help participants identify the signs of problematic substance use. Participants will learn the difference between substance misuse and “addiction”. Additionally, we will review specific red flags related to the college population. Participants will also learn effective strategies to intervene using basic motivations interviewing skills.

Presented by Melissa Langill, The Wellness Center

Why Faith & College Life Can (and Should) Coexist | 45 min

Studies show that positive spiritual health correlates to decreased anxiety, increased feelings of peace and belonging, a stronger social group, and higher self esteem in college students. Join the Campus Minister for this look into the intersection of college living and general spirituality. This presentation focuses on the benefits of spiritual health, common objections to intentional spiritual experience from college students, and gives tools for spiritual exploration. No specific religious tradition is encouraged or pushed, and students from all backgrounds and understandings will find something to help them grow.

Presented by Cindy Cheshire, The Newman Center

Why Isn’t This Easier?! - Building Healthy Relationships | 1 - 1.5 hr

Relationship issues are one of the top three reasons students come to Counseling Services in the Wellness Center. This program helps participants look at various patterns in relationships and the benefits and challenges within these patterns.

Coordinated by Forrest Seymour, The Wellness Center

Worried About a Friend? Ask – Listen - Act | 1.5 hr

Most of us know someone who has thought about suicide, or attempted or completed a suicide. This suicide prevention program teaches participants how to recognize when someone they know is having a difficult time, how to talk with them about it, and then how to get them help.

Coordinated by Forrest Seymour, The Wellness Center

Program Request Form

Please Note: Though we will attempt to accommodate all timely requests, we cannot guarantee that we will be available for every program.

Don’t Cancel That Class!