Personal Statement: Define Student Affairs

The thought of college is often overwhelming and fills a person’s head full of anxiety and stress. If you look back on what you have accomplished up to this point in your life this large step in life suddenly seems much smaller. I have been going to the same small private school all my life so many people could argue that I have been sheltered for most of my life or see the world through “tunnel vision.” Now all of this is entirely true, but throughout my high school years I have gradually become more of the person who I am today. For example, my junior year English teacher assigned my class the daunting task of a junior thesis. At first I thought this assignment was simply busy work and had no meaning to it, but as I began to pick a topic and research it I began to discover a possible

I am currently a year 11 students at Beauchamp College. I believe myself to be a dedicated, self-motivated as well as a confident person. I can complete tasks on my own but I can also work well as part of a team. More over I cope extremely well under pressure and always aspire to do everything to the best of my ability. Whilst I have clear objectives, I also take in advice and use it to better my self as a person.

Congrulations! You have been offered the position of an Assistant Director in student affairs. As the Assistant Director in student affairs, there is still much to be done to help students succeed. Nova Southeastern Univeristy is a pleasant university. They offer several degree programs and a majority of students enjoy the virtual concept Nova Southeastern Univeristy has put in place for students who are not able to attend class in a traditional setting. So, what are student affairs? I believe a student affair is a critical aspect of the higher education experience. The work done by student affairs professionals helps students begin a lifetime journey of growth and self-exploration (NASPA. (n.d.).

I have known Natalie Schieuer for almost half a year now, and in that time I have been incredibly pleased to meet such an amazing, talented, and brilliant young lady. I was Natalie’s counselor this summer at Nebraska Girls State. Girls State is a week-long camp, aimed towards education of state and local government. 400 of Nebraska’s top emerging high school juniors are chosen to attend this program, and within these numbers, Natalie still managed to shine through with her accomplishments and wit.

My time in undergrad served as a challenging, engaging, eye-opening, and an ultimately unforgettable experience. Being culturally inclined, I joined and became president of Purdue’s only multicultural sorority, Lambda Phi Xi. My need for service excellence in the community led me to become an event coordinator for Tippecanoe Villa, a resident home for elderly and disabled individuals. While I was highly engaged in my social and leadership opportunities, my studies proved to be a different matter entirely. Imagine, for a moment, losing your biggest supporter in life. Imagine being the only person you have ever known to attend college. Then, imagine having a scholarship that only provided you with eight consecutive semesters to graduate with no chance to take time off to find your

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.

After graduation, I committed myself to learning new things and more importantly to try things that intimidated and frightened me. While doing so, I searched for and found a way to make a change in the lives of those who needed help the most. I became a career advisor for one of Washington D.C’s largest workforce development projects. I was tasked with the responsibility of teaching DC’s welfare population the essential skills needed to progress in life, and succeed in the workforce. Having overcame being a learning disabled student, and traumatic brain injury I was

Going to college and being in a university setting was the first time my perspectives and ideas were broadened. I was able to see the world outside my small suburb, and learned harsh realities, which I was sheltered from my whole life. Social justice advocate, Bryan Stevenson, expounds the idea of getting proximate to issues that one cares about. For me, getting proximate was accomplished by being on a university campus, and learning from the ideas of others, as well as new, first-hand experiences. As I was supported and encouraged in my growth at Loyola, I want to provide the same assistance for other students. Through my years I have excelled at organization and coordination, skills that I hope to apply in order to help students in a university setting. More so, I want to help support students who enter college, those who wish to expand their knowledge, viewpoints, and minds. Higher education would offer me a unique opportunity where I would be able to support students in their growth as a person, while offering encouragement and assistance to students throughout their college

It was by accident that I became a student services professional. My undergraduate experiences started in the College of Business and ended in Family and Child Studies. After some self-evaluation and events out of my control, I decided Business was no longer what I wanted to do. The very moment that changed it all for me was shortly after my mother became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer and I finally met one of the families she was advocating for. There was an instant connection with one of the teenage daughters. Things clicked for me once I realized she was looking up to me as a role model. I was always drawn to experiences that were holistically oriented so I spoke with my advisor to see what other avenues I could take. At that time, I was introduced to Family and Child Studies which led me to venture into a Bachelors of Science in Marriage and Family.

During my first year as a college student, I was introduced to First Generation Student Association. FGSA was a student organization aiming to make the transition to college smoother for all first generation students. At first, I was a member however, September of my sophomore year I was voted in as President. As president I planned workshops such as FSFA renewal, study abroad information sessions and socials. During my junior year, as treasurer I applied for funding, and worked with the executive team and advisers to plan the budget for the school year. The experience gained through this organization has allowed me to understand what the needs are for first generation students as well as students who need assistance in navigating the complicated

As I began studying here at Seattle University, I was aware of my career goals, yet I did not know the academic path that would lead me to them. My career goals were not focused towards a specific discipline, as all I intended to pursue was a career that would contribute to the improvement of my native Hawaiian community. As the school year progressed, I joined student organizations such as hall council and gained leadership positions. In hall council, we were responsible for addressing the needs and desires of our fellow student residents in order to unify our dorm hall community. This experience allowed me to realize that I enjoy fulfilling the needs of others and contributing to the community. Being a part of hall council also reminded me

My moment of epiphany came when I started working for Upstate Medical University’s Student Affair Department in their Student Success Center as an Office Manager. The Student Success Center focuses on underrepresented medical students through its CSTEP Program. As an Office Manager, I have had the pleasure with working with the medical students and upper faculty members. I have developed a camaraderie with a number of medical students. Many of the medical students come to me to converse about challenges or obstacles that they have had to encounter and/or hurdles they need to overcome. I truly believe my students come to me because I have a benevolent attitude and assiduously work ethic that they have observed. Although, I am not a counselor I appreciate that they feel comfortable to confide in me and these are extra responsibilities that I have embraced has a mentor and an advisor to my students. Then, I had this” aha moment,” that I should do more investment in myself and be a role model for these students as a Higher Education Administration Admission faculty member.

I desire to pursue school counseling as my career to become an effective and successful leader in this profession. Why? I have always held a passion for touching the lives of the youth in a great and positive manner. A licensed school counselor entails helping students with academic achievement, personal/social growth and career development, ensuring students become the industrious, well-balanced adults of tomorrow. while, operating as a professional school counselor involves me obtaining the appropriate knowledge and skills that will support me with providing exceptional service for clients. I believe that I can obtain this intelligence here at Capella University. I comprehend that as a professional school counselor I would be expected

Growing up in a low income family and observing the struggles we faced on a daily basis, was one of reason why I attended college. This wasn’t a choice I made out of high school that many teenagers decide. For me, getting a feel for different areas in the human services field was the path I took. It was important for me to explore different options to see what I would want to spend the rest of my life doing. I loved all the different areas in which I explored, but wanted something more.

As a student affairs practitioner I believe I am a cornerstone of the higher education experience. I have made it my mission to help students be the best version of themselves for the benefit of not only them, but of society at large. I work to help create not only educated students, but also engaged members of a global society.