Portfolio Narratives

Narrative- Leadership

In relation to the values and ethics of our profession, I strongly feel that my personal values align in comparison. In terms of leadership style, I personally connect with Burn's Transformational Leadership Theory (1978). To describe, this theory in effort, tries to transform followers into leaders themselves, and so I believe that it is vital and necessary to have clear values and principles. When looking at 5 ethical principles that ACPA outlined for the profession, what stands out first is faithful and fidelity. I truly believe it is important to be faithful, in my personal and professional life, I try to be as transparent as possible. In addition, another principal is autonomy

. I truly believe this principle is important not only within the profession but also in our communities. We have to make sure we respect and value individual's values, beliefs, and their autonomy. Throughout my years within the program, I have intentionally engaged in programs that would allow me to showcase my leadership style along with my philosophy. In essence, I truly believe that it critical that for me as a leader, to try in many ways to empower those around me and transform them into the leaders that they innately are. For this to take place, transparency is vital, especially with those that I work with. The more I understand and am aware of my weaknesses and needs, I can be sure to empower those around me to reach our core goal. This occurred when I supported my students by facilitating a (Student Leadership Training) workshop. In order to improve the workshop, I took feedback from the previous training and implemented it into the planning of this years student leadership training. In preparation Men's Retreat, I joined in collaboration with various staff and student organizations on campus to be sure to provide a holistic and trans-formative experience for the students that attended . As a leader, it is critical that I continue to search for self-awareness so that I can continue to grow. 

Narrative- Assessment and Evaluation

An important seminal document we find in student affairs profession is Learning Reconsidered (2004). This document was essential because its purpose was to have us reconsider learning in terms of educational goals and how we view learning outcomes. Essentially, it defined learning as a holistic transformative activity that integrates academic learning with student development, 

This is critical, because as student affairs professionals, I understand the need for assessment and evaluation. As experienced at our Annual Spring Summit, Throughout the summit experience, I assessed student learning and program outcomes, Assessment and evaluation will continue to be an important variable of education. In order to be an effective student affairs practitioner, I must continue to be a lifelong learner. I have participated in webinars that gives me overview tools like CampusLabs and other assessments sites that use these practices. This is critical for me to continue to seek out so I can gain a throughout understanding of how to creatively assess and evaluate. 

Narrative- Personal Development

As stated before, I have a strong connection between my core personal values with the ethics of the profession. When looking at 5 ethical principles that ACPA outlined for the profession, what stands out first is faithful and fidelity. I truly believe it is important to be faithful, in my personal and professional life, I try to be as transparent as possible. In addition, another principal is autonomy. I truly believe this principle is important not only within the profession but also in our communities. We have to make sure we respect and value individual's values, beliefs, and their autonomy. 

The core values and principles of the profession allows me to feel as though I am doing something much greater than myself. The work that I we do as Student Affairs professionals adds to the common good of the society that we exist in. Understanding this, it is important that I continue to be intrapersonal and look inward for growth and reflection. In relation of being a life long learner, throughout the program I attended various conference that have been critical in my development as a professional, community leader, and in various other identities that I have. One of the conference platforms that I was able to attend was the NASPA Regional conference. During this conference, I was able to network with various individuals and also partake in numerous interactive workshops that were extremely engaging. 

Narrative- Social Justice and Advocacy

"Higher education master's degree students will become social justice advocates who are able to draw upon a deepened understanding of their own cultures, the cultures and charactersitics of college students, and institutional structures in order to develop educational programs that promote educational access and success for all students, especially those from historically underrepresented populations of students." (Source) 

This domain of the program was something I became most connected to throughout my experience within these past two years. Throughout my constant interactions with my peers within the program, I realized that I grew so much from these interactions. We challenged each other respectfully, we discussed various ways to intersect cultures, our identities, and POV of students. Through these interactions, we learned to further support one another in building upon our own identities in effort to have a solidified foundation of our own self. I plan on implementing social justice into the various dynamics of my personal and professional life. Making sure that I am committed to thinking critically, challenge appropriately, and think outside of my comforting paradigm. In order to successfully do this, I have to continue to engage in discussions involving social justice topics that are relevant to our society. 

Narrative - Education

"Higher education master’s degree students will become educators who are able to draw upon an analysis and evaluation of the historical and philosophical foundations of the student affairs profession as well as major student development theories (psychosocial, cognitive, moral, life span, typological, and college impact) in order to develop educational programs that promote student development and learning." (Source)

Throughout the program, we were required to complete various amounts of scholarly work. We read, thoroughly completed projects, conducted research, and used history and foundational documents to gather a well encompassing critical concept of theories and philosophies in relation to student affairs. Within the program, I learned more about my learning style, and how to navigate our higher degree programs. I was challenged to my limits and pushed to dig deep inside in order to successfully fullfil the duties and task  required throughout the program. My cohort mates made this experience very fulfilling. They were very supportive and provided me with so much comfort and uplift. 

As I think about the future, I plan on continuing the knowledge I have received from this program and understanding my responsibility to education.  Learning should never die, we should always seek to grow and increase our knowledge and awareness of what triggers our society to drive forward. I will continue to seek out conference that will push and challenge me in the realm of education.