My understanding of student affairs has definitely changed since I started the program, because I was not aware that student affairs existed before attending Azusa Pacific University. This program has opened a whole new world of possibilities. I enrolled at APU thinking I was going to learn how to be a college counselor and by that I mean an academic counselor. It did not cross my mind that I would learn all the departments and career possibilities that higher education provides. I now know, Student Affairs professionals include a variety of departments and individuals that work together to assist students in a holistic way.
It makes perfect sense that students should be helped in a holistic way, but I never knew that there were individuals (student affairs professional) who make sure this happens. I enrolled in the program, because I wanted to lean how to be a “proper” college advisor. In 2010, I became the college advisor for Options- A Child Care and Human Resource Agency. It was a position my company created after receiving a grant from President Obama through ARRA-American Recovery Reinvestment Act. My company chose to create the position to assist and encourage teaching staff to return to school and obtain their associates and bachelors degrees in child development to meet Federal regulations. Because the position was new, I did not have anyone to guide me or train me, I learned as I went along.
My new position as college advisor gave me a sense of purpose, I had finally found my calling. Up until then, I had been going through life searching for my calling and I found it counseling the non traditional students at Options. As teachers graduated, I felt I should learn how to “properly” be a counselor. Another motivating factor for me was practicing what I preached. If I was asking teachers to take the leap of faith, return to school and improve their skills, I felt I should lead by example and return to school too. I feel God led me down this path so I can experience what it is to be a non-traditional student and give me more credibility when talking to the teaching staff. I returned to school after a twelve year absence, which resurfaced old insecurities and brought about a lot of personal growth. This experience has allowed me to relearn how to be student again as a nontraditional student and learn how to balance all the roles that I live. When I advise others, I now have a better understanding of what it is to balance life with school. My perspective has changed and I have much more insight into being a nontraditional student.
In hindsight, there are many things I would have done differently, such as taking a writing course prior to attending APU to accelerate the process of relearning how to be a student again. I would have also been more intentional in the internships and learning opportunities I engaged. Overall, attending APU has opened many new possibilities that I never knew existed. I now know about looking for the “right fit” and thinking about institutional type I would like to work at, something I never considered before. There are many more departments that I would consider working. I now believe, Student affairs is a very large umbrella that houses many departments, which strive to work seamlessly to provide students a holistic educational experience. I look forward in finding my place in that process.
Consequently, having gone through this program, I was introduced to theory that explained what students were going and continue to go through, while providing guidance and strategies to assist students in their journey. The theories and theorist I connected with were: Astin and his theory of involvement, Schlossberg and her transition theory, Chickering’s sixth vector of developing purpose and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. These theories are important to me, because I feel they have key components that would have benefitted me as an undergraduate and can benefit others in achieving a holistic higher education experience.
I agree with Astin when he says, “the amount of student learning and personal development associated with any educational program is directly proportional to the quality and quantity of student involvement in that program” (Astin, 1984, p.519). Students need to be involved and engaged in order to really learn and grow. The quality of the experience is also important because quality has more learning opportunities than quantity. I believe it is up to the student to participate and be involved in college life in order to experience learning opportunities, but I also believe that it is up to student affairs professionals to provide those learning opportunities with intentional programming and collaboration with as many departments as possible. Collaboration will help in widening the reach of programs and engaging as many students as possible.
I can identify with Schlossberg’s theory of transition, because as human beings were are constantly transitioning, “transitions alter our lives-our roles, relationships, routines, and assumptions…. whether they are events or nonevents, anticipated or unanticipated” (Schlossberg, 2011, p. 159). Student affair professionals need to be ready to help students cope. Developing techniques to assist students with their transitions in college, when they graduate, and are professionals in the work force is crucial. Being aware of transitions and developing techniques to adjust will empower the students. For the students having a harder time transitioning knowing where to seek help will empower them.
Furthermore, I think finding your “purpose” or “life calling” is one of the most defining moments in college and adulthood. For me, I found my purpose until many years after college it affected the decisions I made. As Chickering’s sixth vector, “developing purpose…consist of developing clear vocational goals, making meaningful commitments to specific personal interest and activities…it includes intentionally making and staying with decisions, even in the face of opposition (Evan et al, 2010, P. 69). I believe once you find your purpose it gives you the drive to pursue your dreams despite the difficulty or hardships you may have to endure. Without purpose I just seemed to exist, I do not feel I started to live until I found my purpose. It is ideal to find your purpose in college, but that is not always the case. Student affairs professionals cannot guarantee that all college students will find their purpose in college, but they can strategically program activities and workshops that can lead students to begin the exploration process and offer support to those who are having a harder time finding it.
Lastly, I agree with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, because I feel students who do not have the basic needs met such as food, shelter, and safety will not be able explore and grow (Best et. al, 2008). I feel institutions need to ensure students basics needs are meet before they can expect them to engage on their path toward self-actualization. Some of the ways this can be achieved is by improving campus safety and having designated areas or offices students can turn to when they are struggling with lack of food or shelter issues. It has to be presented in such away that students do not feel threatened or afraid it may jeopardize their enrollment in school.
In the last four years, I have been on a path of self improvement and obtaining my masters degree is just one more accomplishment that I can be proud. I us to think loosing 100 pound was my greatest accomplishment, but now I think finishing my degree has been the hardest and most rewarding accomplishment. Though the program is not what I expected I have received many blessings from it. I learned about all the many career possibilities I have available to me, I have grown in my academic abilities, I have had the privilege to meet and learn from great professors, and I found new friendships. There is still much more that I want to accomplish and experience.
Personally, I will continue on my weight loss journey by consistently incorporating a healthier life style. One of my goals is to learn a marital art and go to trapeze school. My OCD has improved to the point that I can travel and I would like to continue to do so. There are many adventures to be had. This summer I was able to do a road trip with my sister and Echelle, a cohort member, and it was one of the most extraordinary experiences. It proved to me that I can do anything if I just trust myself. I want to continue to live in the moment and enjoy life, because I have the tendency to always worry and then I regret it. In the end, I have to trust God will take care of me and everything will work out, as it has so far.
Professionally, I would like to obtain my Myers Briggs Assessment Certificate and career counseling certificate. Both of these certificates will be helpful in assisting students find their calling and or give them a starting point. I will continue to further my education and improve my writing skills, because I now would like to pursue doctorate degree. Never in my dreams did I imagine I would be getting a masters degree and look at me now, the same goes for my doctorate degree. It was my friend Echelle and Holly who encouraged and fostered that idea. I now feel it necessary to obtain my doctorate degree as a sign of respect to the privilege that I have in participating in higher education. I am not ready to pursue my doctorate yet, but I will take the necessary steps to be ready and choose the right program for me. I would also like to continue attending professional conferences. This year I was fortunate to attend the NASPA: Multicultural Institute Conference, which was a fantastic experience. My ultimate goal would be to open a housing facility for single mothers within walking distance to a community college and university. This facility would allow me to utilize all the knowledge I have obtained in helping nontraditional students thrive and succeed. I want to help break the cycle and empower women to further their education for themselves and their children.
Student affairs is not what I expected, but I am glad I found it. Through this program I learned the importance of supporting all students, especially those who are marginalized for any reason, in helping them develop into who they were meant to be. I am happy and proud to be one more person joining the student affairs profession and making a difference in people’s lives.
It makes perfect sense that students should be helped in a holistic way, but I never knew that there were individuals (student affairs professional) who make sure this happens. I enrolled in the program, because I wanted to lean how to be a “proper” college advisor. In 2010, I became the college advisor for Options- A Child Care and Human Resource Agency. It was a position my company created after receiving a grant from President Obama through ARRA-American Recovery Reinvestment Act. My company chose to create the position to assist and encourage teaching staff to return to school and obtain their associates and bachelors degrees in child development to meet Federal regulations. Because the position was new, I did not have anyone to guide me or train me, I learned as I went along.
My new position as college advisor gave me a sense of purpose, I had finally found my calling. Up until then, I had been going through life searching for my calling and I found it counseling the non traditional students at Options. As teachers graduated, I felt I should learn how to “properly” be a counselor. Another motivating factor for me was practicing what I preached. If I was asking teachers to take the leap of faith, return to school and improve their skills, I felt I should lead by example and return to school too. I feel God led me down this path so I can experience what it is to be a non-traditional student and give me more credibility when talking to the teaching staff. I returned to school after a twelve year absence, which resurfaced old insecurities and brought about a lot of personal growth. This experience has allowed me to relearn how to be student again as a nontraditional student and learn how to balance all the roles that I live. When I advise others, I now have a better understanding of what it is to balance life with school. My perspective has changed and I have much more insight into being a nontraditional student.
In hindsight, there are many things I would have done differently, such as taking a writing course prior to attending APU to accelerate the process of relearning how to be a student again. I would have also been more intentional in the internships and learning opportunities I engaged. Overall, attending APU has opened many new possibilities that I never knew existed. I now know about looking for the “right fit” and thinking about institutional type I would like to work at, something I never considered before. There are many more departments that I would consider working. I now believe, Student affairs is a very large umbrella that houses many departments, which strive to work seamlessly to provide students a holistic educational experience. I look forward in finding my place in that process.
Consequently, having gone through this program, I was introduced to theory that explained what students were going and continue to go through, while providing guidance and strategies to assist students in their journey. The theories and theorist I connected with were: Astin and his theory of involvement, Schlossberg and her transition theory, Chickering’s sixth vector of developing purpose and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. These theories are important to me, because I feel they have key components that would have benefitted me as an undergraduate and can benefit others in achieving a holistic higher education experience.
I agree with Astin when he says, “the amount of student learning and personal development associated with any educational program is directly proportional to the quality and quantity of student involvement in that program” (Astin, 1984, p.519). Students need to be involved and engaged in order to really learn and grow. The quality of the experience is also important because quality has more learning opportunities than quantity. I believe it is up to the student to participate and be involved in college life in order to experience learning opportunities, but I also believe that it is up to student affairs professionals to provide those learning opportunities with intentional programming and collaboration with as many departments as possible. Collaboration will help in widening the reach of programs and engaging as many students as possible.
I can identify with Schlossberg’s theory of transition, because as human beings were are constantly transitioning, “transitions alter our lives-our roles, relationships, routines, and assumptions…. whether they are events or nonevents, anticipated or unanticipated” (Schlossberg, 2011, p. 159). Student affair professionals need to be ready to help students cope. Developing techniques to assist students with their transitions in college, when they graduate, and are professionals in the work force is crucial. Being aware of transitions and developing techniques to adjust will empower the students. For the students having a harder time transitioning knowing where to seek help will empower them.
Furthermore, I think finding your “purpose” or “life calling” is one of the most defining moments in college and adulthood. For me, I found my purpose until many years after college it affected the decisions I made. As Chickering’s sixth vector, “developing purpose…consist of developing clear vocational goals, making meaningful commitments to specific personal interest and activities…it includes intentionally making and staying with decisions, even in the face of opposition (Evan et al, 2010, P. 69). I believe once you find your purpose it gives you the drive to pursue your dreams despite the difficulty or hardships you may have to endure. Without purpose I just seemed to exist, I do not feel I started to live until I found my purpose. It is ideal to find your purpose in college, but that is not always the case. Student affairs professionals cannot guarantee that all college students will find their purpose in college, but they can strategically program activities and workshops that can lead students to begin the exploration process and offer support to those who are having a harder time finding it.
Lastly, I agree with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, because I feel students who do not have the basic needs met such as food, shelter, and safety will not be able explore and grow (Best et. al, 2008). I feel institutions need to ensure students basics needs are meet before they can expect them to engage on their path toward self-actualization. Some of the ways this can be achieved is by improving campus safety and having designated areas or offices students can turn to when they are struggling with lack of food or shelter issues. It has to be presented in such away that students do not feel threatened or afraid it may jeopardize their enrollment in school.
In the last four years, I have been on a path of self improvement and obtaining my masters degree is just one more accomplishment that I can be proud. I us to think loosing 100 pound was my greatest accomplishment, but now I think finishing my degree has been the hardest and most rewarding accomplishment. Though the program is not what I expected I have received many blessings from it. I learned about all the many career possibilities I have available to me, I have grown in my academic abilities, I have had the privilege to meet and learn from great professors, and I found new friendships. There is still much more that I want to accomplish and experience.
Personally, I will continue on my weight loss journey by consistently incorporating a healthier life style. One of my goals is to learn a marital art and go to trapeze school. My OCD has improved to the point that I can travel and I would like to continue to do so. There are many adventures to be had. This summer I was able to do a road trip with my sister and Echelle, a cohort member, and it was one of the most extraordinary experiences. It proved to me that I can do anything if I just trust myself. I want to continue to live in the moment and enjoy life, because I have the tendency to always worry and then I regret it. In the end, I have to trust God will take care of me and everything will work out, as it has so far.
Professionally, I would like to obtain my Myers Briggs Assessment Certificate and career counseling certificate. Both of these certificates will be helpful in assisting students find their calling and or give them a starting point. I will continue to further my education and improve my writing skills, because I now would like to pursue doctorate degree. Never in my dreams did I imagine I would be getting a masters degree and look at me now, the same goes for my doctorate degree. It was my friend Echelle and Holly who encouraged and fostered that idea. I now feel it necessary to obtain my doctorate degree as a sign of respect to the privilege that I have in participating in higher education. I am not ready to pursue my doctorate yet, but I will take the necessary steps to be ready and choose the right program for me. I would also like to continue attending professional conferences. This year I was fortunate to attend the NASPA: Multicultural Institute Conference, which was a fantastic experience. My ultimate goal would be to open a housing facility for single mothers within walking distance to a community college and university. This facility would allow me to utilize all the knowledge I have obtained in helping nontraditional students thrive and succeed. I want to help break the cycle and empower women to further their education for themselves and their children.
Student affairs is not what I expected, but I am glad I found it. Through this program I learned the importance of supporting all students, especially those who are marginalized for any reason, in helping them develop into who they were meant to be. I am happy and proud to be one more person joining the student affairs profession and making a difference in people’s lives.