Effective Strategies for Virtual Supervision

The use of technology in student affairs is not as advanced as depicted in the 1960s cartoon "The Jetsons," however, there has been a steady increase in the use of technology to enhance the education, programs, services, and support of the students on campuses. Technology changes rapidly, and the use of it differs with comfort, interest, access, and adaptability to technological advancements. This chapter explores virtual supervision and its application to student affairs. The author considers three tenets of student affairs supervision--relationships, teamwork, and achieving mission effectiveness--and addresses the roles required of those responsible for virtual supervision. She concludes that virtual supervisors can be effective when they use professional knowledge, emotional intelligence, and adaptive tools and techniques. The tenets of supervision in student affairs and critical tasks of virtual supervision are most assuredly influenced by the nature and volume of one-way messages; misunderstandings are bound to occur. A virtual supervisor should strive to balance relationships, teamwork, and talent development with the critical tasks of providing instruction, training, and evaluation in order to further the goals and mission of his or her department, division, or institution.