1. Is it possible to be successful as a student affairs practitioner without relevant knowledge of theories that inform your work. If so, what are the limitations? Feel free to disagree with a cogent argument.
I personally don’t think it is possible to be successful as a student affairs practitioner without relevant knowledge of theories that inform your work. While reading, I found it interesting that there has been some contention in the field about the value of theory. One example I found stated that, “their argument was not about whether theory is good or bad; instead, they argued that student development theory had limited utility in it’s application to the daily practice” (p. 44).
While I agree that student affairs theories can sometimes
…show more content…
Knowledge is power, and I’m sure that personal experience and theory makes a good combination.
2. What does Magolda(s) notion of "self-authorship" mean to you?
The reading this week did a good job of building off the basic knowledge I had about Magolda’s notion of self-authorship that we discussed in theory last year. To me, self-authorship means that one has the ability to learn about multiple prospectives, use knowledge and past experiences to figure out what to do, as well as the ability to reflect on personal values as one continues to grow and change.
The authors state that, “prior to developing self-authorship capacities, educators rely uncritically on authorities for knowledge” (pg. 11). I’ve found this true in my own life, as well as in working with
…show more content…
What are the unique areas expertise that student affairs practitioners bring to the learning enterprise in the academy? Draw from your own experience.
I think the beauty of student affairs is that each individual practitioner brings their own experiences. During my time at Appalachian as an undergraduate student I was involved in Greek life and the Honors College. I wasn’t even aware that student affairs was a field until six months before I graduated. Even though the Honors College doesn’t appear to directly link, I was able to learn about different advising styles without realizing it. I never went to a general advisor, which makes my experience different from many other students here.
Additionally, student affairs practitioners often bring expertise from practice. I don’t know of many other graduate programs that gives you as many opportunities for hands on learning as ours does. In my opinion, this gives us a leg up because we’ve been practicing for two years in addition to learning in a
Student affairs is charged with finding the resources needed to better services, programs, student learning experience, and the teaching of technology to students (Jones, et all, 2011, p.539). In 1890 LeBarron Russell Brigs was appointed dean of men, the first dean appointed. Briggs’s duties as the first dean of men was dealing with student issues. As colleges developed into more than just a place for students to learn the dean of men’s role had changed, the role became focused on helping students to become more rounded in not only education but, help them to become better citizens, and to teach students to have a better social and moral foundation. There are several major roles of student affairs, helping in retention of students, learning
The Vision of Student Affairs is to empower USF students for lifelong success. Their mission is to cultivate student engagement,
Question 5; explain how a teaching assistant might recognise problems that might arise whilst supporting individuals and how this can be managed?
38). Since the Dean has good collaboration skills In addition to connecting with all factors, the plan will include the leader becoming the change agent and motivating the masses together (Fullan, 2011). The Dean of Academic Affairs will “exemplify the curiosity, inquiry skills, and scholarly competencies need to investigate an idea and transform it into meaningful action” (Drexel University EdD Keystone 5, 2017).
After reading Sonja Ardoin’s (2014) “the strategic guide to shaping your student affairs career” book, I read a variety of important content that has allowed me to reflect not only in my fieldwork position, as an Advising Assistant for the Puente Program, but also my current status as a graduate student in the Educational Counseling program.
As an emerging student affair professional, it is important for me to invest time into learning about professionals in the field and learning how they navigated being a new professional. I was partnered with Elizabeth Bledsoe, who graduated from the HESA track program in 2013. She is currently the Assistant Director for the Office of Institutional Assessment at Texas A&M, in College Station, Texas. Her office works with all forms of assessment at the university and these main areas are; learning outcome, student support, academics, and curriculum. Elizabeth is specifically in charge of the communication between the different colleges, focused around accreditation and curriculum. Elizabeth said her position is especially important considering Texas A&M is part of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and it is a strict accreditation body.
This paper is separated into two parts that are connected. The first part will cover my beliefs about higher education focusing on my Student Affairs philosophy while integrating theories and work from current or previous successful Student Affairs professionals. The second part will also discuss my beliefs, foundation of my faith, my strengths, my challenges, my beliefs, my values, and my goals.
Over the past three years of my college experience, I’ve had the opportunity to serve students as a Resident Assistant, Assistant Resident Director and, currently, as a Student Ministries Director. Through serving in these different capacities, I’ve learned that I love the college experience. The opportunities to discover one’s identity, be challenged in new ways and encounter issues that will drive one to work toward justice, are all found on the college campus. It is because of these opportunities that I have chosen to pursue a career in Higher Education; and consequently, have chosen to apply to the Graduate Program offered at University of Virginia. I find the diversity of Higher Education extremely attractive.
The three purposes and missions of higher education are education, research, and public service. The first one to be addressed is education. In his paper, “Goals: The Intended Outcomes of Higher Education,” author Bowen (1977) has stated education is “not only the academic curricula, classes, and laboratories, but also all those influences upon students flowing from association with peers and faculty members and from the many and varied experiences of campus” (p. 24). Educating students is an important mission for higher education, but educating students is not limited to their academics. The mission for higher education involving education can be categorized as cognitive learning, affective development, and practical competence (Bowen, 1977, p. 27). While cognitive learning is based on expanding on students’ knowledge, affective development and practical competence are based on the overall being of the student. The intent of affective development is to help enhance
My work in student affairs provides significant opportunity to contemplate, implement and assess initiatives related to student success and retention. My current research is connected to peer education and the 1st year experience and I have active and growing experience in the needs assessment and
It was during the 1920’s where the Student Affairs profession got national coverage. In 1924, the National Association of Appointment Secretaries (NAAS) was founded (Gordon, 2015). It was the Precursor to the ACPA, American College Personnel Association. NAAS renamed National Association of Personnel and Placement Officers NAPPO was founded in 1929. Which led up to the Student Personnel Point of View in 1937. This was a guiding document for Student Affairs Professions. It stated that, “one of the basic purposes of higher education is the preservation, transmission, and enrichment of the important elements of culture the product of scholarship, research, creative imagination, and human experience” (The Student Personnel Point of View, 1937, p. 1). They wrote in this report that the colleges and universities are responsible for those elements to take place as well as other educational purposes that would assist the student in developing to their limits. They were tasked with helping the student realize their potential in making contributions to the betterment of society.
The Academic Affairs Division comprise of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Business, Liberal Arts, Social Science, Health Careers, Learning Commons, and the Brunswick University Center. Dr. Janice-Taylor Heard is the Dean of Academic Affairs. I currently report to Dr. Taylor-Heard as the Interim Assistant Dean/Director of the Learning Commons and Academic Support Services. The Academic Affairs objective is to strategize and implement initiatives that geared towards student success, faculty development and adjunct services. Included in its objective is to develop an academic support system for students with tutoring and technology.
Student affairs is less about being a bottomless well of knowledge, rather it is about having genuine interactions with students who are looking to you to as a role model. If by the end of my practice I can leverage my experiences and understanding to make a positive impact on the world through my relationships with my students, I will consider myself a success.
Collaborations are present in learning communities and first year experience programs, but school leaders have to move beyond the norms and work seemingly together to create an environment of success for the students. First year experience programs are prominent on many university campuses but are optional on others. However, these departments utilize career placement counselors, academic advisors, testing coordinators, mentoring options, and academic success centers to increase the likelihood of students progressing from freshman year through graduation.
My passion towards working with students every day has led me to the decision of pursuing a doctoral degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education at Miami University. I have chosen this program to prepare myself for a future role as a professor or a senior level college administrator. This program will allow me to become more proficient within the students’ educational experience and therefore better engage students in active learning.