Runninghead:SELFEVALUATION,MISSIONSTATEMENTSANDCOMPETENCIES

RevisedDevelopmentofPersonalStatement,SocialJusticeStatementandUnderstandingof
StudentAffairsCompetencyAreas
AlexandraM.Savat
IowaStateUniversity

SELFEVALUATION,MISSIONSTATEMENTSANDCOMPETENCIES

August2016
Mymissioninworkingwithstudentsistosupport,advocate,andeducatethemforthe
accomplishmentsandsufferingstheyface.Istrivetoproduceanenvironmentofholisticlearning
inordertonotonlycreatestudentswhofosterknowledge,butalsocultivateasenseofselfand
personaldevelopmentthroughouttheirlife.InmyinteractionswithstudentsIaimtounderstand
thatthereisnotjustonestorytoanindividual.Iwilltakepatienceinthelearningprocesseach
studenthasandofferanyassistanceIcangivetoguidethemintheprocess.Iwillsupportthem
inthetechniquesuitedforeachindividual.IfIcannotsupporteachstudenttomyfullability,I
willguidetheminthepaththatwillprovidesuchsupport.Mymissionistoadvocateformy
students.Fortheirrights,beliefs,andtheirsafety.InmyworkwithstudentsIstrivetoconstantly
beanadvocateformystudentsandhelpthemadvocateforthemselves.Mymissionisto
constantlyeducatemystudentsandmyself.Asastudentaffairspractitioner,Iwillpursuefurther
educationandknowledgesothatIcancontinuouslyoffermystudentsthefinestassistance.Iwill
notonlyseektochallengemyownideasthroughstudents,butwillchallengetheirideasequally
inhopestheydevelopanabilitytoconstantlyreflectontheirbeliefs.Ihopethatthroughmy
actions,Iwillencouragemystudentstofurthertheirjourneyofselfidentificationand
understanding.Mymissioninworkingwithstudentsisassisttheminunderstandingtheir
surroundingsandtoguidetheminanywaynecessary.

SELFEVALUATION,MISSIONSTATEMENTSANDCOMPETENCIES

December2016
Mymissioninworkingwithstudentsistosupport,advocate,andeducatethemforthe
accomplishmentsandsufferingstheyface.Istrivetoproduceanenvironmentofholisticlearning
inordertonotonlycreatestudentswhofosterknowledge,butalsocultivateasenseofselfand
personaldevelopmentthroughouttheirlife.InmyinteractionswithstudentsIaimtounderstand
thatthereisnotjustonestorytoanindividualandthateachpersoncomeswithdifferent
experiencesandbeliefs.Iwilltakepatienceinthelearningprocesseachstudenthasandoffer
anyassistanceIcangivetoguidethemintheprocess.Iwillsupporttheminthetechniquesuited
foreachindividual.IfIcannotsupporteachstudenttomyfullability,Iwillguidetheminthe
paththatwillprovidesuchsupport.Iwillbothsupportandguidestudentsinordertoencourage
theirowndevelopmentasalearnerandgivethemtheassistancetheyneedtodeveloptotheirfull
potential.Allowingforstudentstofeelthattheyhavebothsupportandguidancethroughouttheir
process,Ihopetoencouragesuccessbothinsideandoutsidetheclassroom.Mymissionisto
advocateformystudents,fortheirrights,beliefs,and,safety.InmyworkwithstudentsIstrive
toconstantlybeanadvocateformystudentsandeducatethemsotheycanadvocatefor
themselves.
Myownpersonaldevelopmentandcareisalsocrucialtobeingabletobestservemy
students.Mymissioninworkingwithstudentsistoconstantlyeducatemystudentsandmyself.
Asastudentaffairspractitioner,IwillpursuefurthereducationandknowledgesothatIcan
continuouslyoffermystudentsthefinestassistance.Iwillnotonlyseektochallengemyown

SELFEVALUATION,MISSIONSTATEMENTSANDCOMPETENCIES

ideasthroughstudents,butwillchallengetheirideasequallyinhopestheydevelopanabilityto
constantlyreflectontheirbeliefs.Iwillaimtocontinuemyownpersonaldevelopmentandself
careinordertobeabletobestservemystudents.Ihopethatthroughmyactions,Iwill
encouragemystudentstofurthertheirjourneyofselfidentificationandunderstanding.My
missioninworkingwithstudentsisassisttheminunderstandingtheirsurroundingsandtoguide
theminanywaynecessary.

SELFEVALUATION,MISSIONSTATEMENTSANDCOMPETENCIES

Reflection
WhenlookingovermyoriginalpersonalmissionstatementIlovedreadingitoverafter4
monthsofbeingintheprogram.WithinthepastfourmonthsIhavestruggledwiththerealityof
thestudentaffairssectorandstruggledonrealizingthepoliticalcomponentoftheuniversity
setting.AlthoughIaminamuchbetterplacethanafewmonthsagowithallofthis,Istillhave
changeddrasticallysinceIfirstwrotetheinitialstatement.LookingbackonmyfirststatementI
couldnthelpbutenjoytheraw,passionateandlightheartedvoicethatcamethrough.Iwastruly
remindedofwhyIamhereandwhatIamultimatelywantingtodo.Therefore,Imadethe
decisiontomakeveryfewchangestotheoriginaldraft.IchosetodothisbecauseIhopethat
oftenIwillbeabletorecallthisanditwillremindmeofwhatIamtryingtodo.Ididmake
modificationsinclarifyingtherelationshipbetweensupportandguidanceandwhyIfeelthisis
important.IalsodiscussedhowIseethatasimpactingmyroleinassistinglearning.

SELFEVALUATION,MISSIONSTATEMENTSANDCOMPETENCIES

August2016
SocialjusticeissomethingIconstantlystrugglewith.Istrugglewiththeideathatmany
everydayhappeningsarestillembeddedwithdiscriminationthatdatesbacktocenturiesago.I
strugglewithhowtoapproachsocialjusticefromawhite,upperclass,heterosexual,Catholic
background.Ipersonallystrugglewiththeissuesthattakeplaceinsocietyandhowwecango
aboutmakingchangetoasocialjustsociety.Itseemsasthoughsocialjusticeshouldbeeasyto
understand;however,itisjusttheopposite.Mystanceonsocialjusticeisthathoweverdifficult
itmaybetohavetheseconversations,theymustbehad.Everyindividualhasavastlydifferent
experiencewithsocialjustice,comingfromdifferentculturesandbackgroundsseriouslyimpacts
ourviewofsocialjustice.Manypeople,includingmyself,maycomefromabackgroundwith
limitedsocialjusticeexposurebutthatisnotareasontounderstandtheimpactithas.Social
justiceaffectsmyworkasastudentaffairsprofessionalimmensely.Workingintheofficeof
admissions,Iamabletoseehowadmissionscounselorswilltargetcitiesthattheyknowhave
highpopulationofcollegereadystudentswhoareprimarilyWhite.However,thereislittle
emphasisputonrecruitingthosewhomaycomefromlowerincomeandarenotdeemedcollege
readyaccordingtotheseideals.ThisisanexamplefrommyundergraduateinstitutionandIam

SELFEVALUATION,MISSIONSTATEMENTSANDCOMPETENCIES

interestedtoseehowsuchexamples,oralackthereof,ofsocialjusticeoccuratIowaState
University.Socialjusticeisexceptionallypertinenttoeveryareawithinthestudentaffairssector.
We,studentaffairsprofessionals,muststartaconversationwithstudentsandencouragethemto
challengethewaytheyviewtheworld.AlthoughIstillstrugglewithsocialjustice,Idobelieve
thatmyunderstandingofitwilldevelopfurtherthroughoutthenexttwoyears.

December2016
Socialjusticetomemeansthateachpersonistreatedwithequityandacknowledging
differencebutunderstandingthatbecauseofthisdifferencestudentsareautomaticallyat
differentvantagepoints.Iunderstandsocialjusticetobeanumbrellatermthatisencompassing
manyvariousideasandconcepts.Forexample,intersectionality,racialformation,criticalrace
theory,queeringwithinstudentaffairs,andglobalizationwithinthefieldarejustafewconcepts
andallplayamajorroleinunderstandingsocialjustice.Thesevarioustopicsareall
considerationsthatneedtobeaccountedforwhendiscussingsocialjustice.Beingasociallyjust
professionalissomethingthatIwillmindfullyintegrateintomyworkwithstudents.Iwill
constantlyunderstandthateachstudenthasavastlydifferentbackgroundandexperiences
societydifferently.Iwillmakeconsciousdecisionsintheworkplacewithsocialjusticeinmind
inordertoworktochangethesocietywecurrentlylivein.Iwillhavedifficultconversations
aroundsocialjustice,equity,intersectionality,discrimination,andvariousothertopicsinorderto
encouragemystudenttodevelopacriticalmind.

SELFEVALUATION,MISSIONSTATEMENTSANDCOMPETENCIES

NotonlywillIworktointegratesocialjusticeintomyprofessionallifebutalsowithin
mypersonallife.IwillonceagainmaintainaconsciousmindregardinghowIgoaboutmy
personallifeandhowIamenactingtheprivilegesIhold.Iwillworktocontinuouslyeducate
myselfaroundsocialjustice.Iwillbeanactivistformystudentsoutsideofworkandactivate
alongsidethem.Iwillnotbeafraidtoquestiontheactionsofothersthatarenotsociallyjustand
encouragepeopletothinkcriticallyabouttheiractions.Iwillintegratepraxisintomypersonal
lifeinordertoreflectbackontheexperiencesIhaveandhowIcanfurtherdevelop.Iwill
encouragemyideaofsocialjusticetochangeanddevelopandIfurthermyeducationand
professionalexpansion.
Reflection
Whenapproachingmyupdatedsocialjusticeperspective,Iessentiallystartedfrom
scratch.Beforestartingthisprogram,Ihadlittletonoexperiencewithsocialjusticeandwas
incrediblynavewhenitcametotherealityofwhatthetermentailed.Iinitiallychosetoinclude
whatsocialjusticeistomebecauseIfeelwhenyouarediscussingapersonalstatement,itis
crucialtorecognizehowtheauthorseestheissue.Muchoftheintroductionwithintheoriginal
sectionisincrediblybriefandmuchofitnowseemsconfusingtomyselflookingbackonitwith
theknowledgeIhavenow!ItwasinterestinghowintheoriginalstatementIfeltthatmy
identitieswereanexcuseformylackofunderstandingaroundsocialjustice.Thistomewasa
realwakeupcallaboutwhereIstartedfromandhowIwastrulyapartoftheproblem.Allof
thisaside,intheupdatedstatementIfeltitwasimportanttoincludehowIintegratesocialjustice
intomydailylifeandhowIintegrateitintomyworkwithstudents.Ultimately,althoughallof
thesectionshavechangedsomewhatoverthefourmonthsmyperspectiveofsocialjusticehas

SELFEVALUATION,MISSIONSTATEMENTSANDCOMPETENCIES

seenthemostdevelopment.Ibelievethatthisspeakstothepowerthediscussionsandclasses
havehadonmylearning.IhopethatthisstatementwillonlycontinuetochangeasIprogress
throughtheprogram.

August2016
PersonalandEthicalFoundations
Mycurrentunderstandingofpersonalandethicalfoundationsisthroughhowastudent
affairsprofessionalvaluestheirownviewsandbeliefswhilefurtherdevelopingsuchideas.Isee
itastheprocessinwhichanindividualholdstheirvaluesclosewhilereflectingonsuchvalues
consistentlyinordertoimproveupontheirfoundation.Someonedemonstratingthiscompetency
woulddesiretofurthertheirknowledgeandusetheinformationtoexpandtheirfoundation.
Throughselfdevelopmenttheprofessionalwillbettertheinteractionstheyhavewithother
professionalsandstudents.Ihopetobeabletofurthermyunderstandingofthiscompetency
throughunderstandinghowselfcareandselfdevelopmentcanassistmyinteractionswith
students.
Values,PhilosophyandHistory

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Iinterpretvalues,philosophyandhistorytobeenactedinthestudentaffairssectorby
examinationofthepastandhowitaffectsthepresent.Integratinganunderstandingofthevalues,
philosophyandhistoryofauniversityintoyourdailyworkhelpsunderstandwhycertainthings
aredoneinsuchways.Iseevalues,philosophyandhistorybeingreferencedthroughout
discussionregardingchangesthatneedtobemadetoaprogramorpolicywithinauniversity.
Professionalsmaytakeintoconsiderationhowapolicyaffectsthevaluesandphilosophywhile
stillexamininghowthepolicyhashadanimpacthistoricallywithstudents.Ihopetofurthermy
understandingofthiscompetencybyexpandingmyunderstandingofhowvaluesandphilosophy
playaroleindecisionmakingwithinIowaStateUniversity.Ialsohopethatthroughmy
assistantshipintheOfficeofAdmissionsIamabletoseehowhistoryplaysaroleinthe
decisionsthataremade.
Assessment,EvaluationandResearch
Inrelationstothestudentaffairssector,Iviewassessment,evaluationandresearchasthe
waysinwhichweconsiderprevioushappenings.Throughthisappraisalwecanseeifaprogram
isworkingorifchangesshouldbemadeinordertobetterfutureoccurrencesorevents.I
consideralloftheseitemstobefundamentalinunderstandinghowstudentsarereceivingthe
actionsthatweareprovidingandmodifyingbasedontheresults.Iseethiscompetencyenacted
throughsendingoutevaluationsaskingforopinionsonarecenteventorcheckinginwitha
studentandseeingiftheyneedmorefromyoutosucceed.Ialsoseethisenactedthroughthe
developmentanduseofresearchwithinthestudentaffairssector.Ihopetofurthermy
understandingofthiscompetencythroughtheresearchIplantododuringmygraduatecareer
andhowthisresearchimpactsstudentaffairswork.

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Law,PolicyandGovernance
Withinstudentaffairs,Iunderstandlaw,policyandgovernanceastheguidinghandthat
workswithintheuniversitysystem.Thiscompetencytomeisthelinesthattheuniversityhasset
inplace,forvariousreasons,thatstudentaffairsprofessionalsmustbeconsciousof.However,
thereiscontinuousopportunityfordevelopmentinsuchareasifsuchlaw,policyorgovernance
provesproblematictotheuniversity.Suchpoliciesarenotsolelyapplicablewithintheuniversity
setting,butalsooccuratthelocal,nationalandinternationallevel.Thesamedevelopment
shouldalsobeappliedtotheselevelsaswellinordertobeaneffectivestudentaffairs
professional.Ihopetoincreasemyunderstandingofthiscompetencybygettingabetter
understandingofuniversitylaw,policyandgovernancethroughinvolvementwithstudent
councilatIowaStateUniversity.Ihopetobetterunderstandtheinterworkingsoftheuniversity
systemthroughtheknowledgeIgainwithinmyassistantship.
OrganizationalandHumanResources
Withinstudentaffairs,Iseeorganizationalandhumanresourcestocontributethroughthe
administrativeaspectoftheuniversity.Icurrentlyunderstandthiscompetencytobeoccurringin
areassuchasfinanceandhumanresources.Workingwithintheadministrativeandmanagement
sideofstudentaffairs,Ibelievethiscompetencydealswithmoreconflictmanagementand
discoursethantheothercompetencies.Idonotfullyunderstandtheenormityofthiscompetency
andhowitimpactsstudents,howeverIaimtofurthermyunderstanding.Ihopethatthrough
potentialpracticumorshadowingexperiencewiththefinancialaidofficeIcangainabetter
understandingoftherolethiscompetencyplayswithinstudentaffairs.
Leadership

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Inmycurrentunderstandingofstudentaffairs,leadershipisatermmanyindividuals
oftenuse,butfewunderstandhowtocompletelyemploythecompetency.Thiscompetency
demonstratestheabilitytouseskillsandknowledgeandapplythemtopersonalinteractionswith
others,inbothgroupandoneononesettings.Notonlymustthepractitionerutilizeleadershipin
theirownexperiencesbutusesaidleadershiptoshowstudentshowtobecomeleaders.Leaders
exhibittaketheknowledgetheyhaveandturnitintorealworldapplications.Ihopetofurther
myunderstandingofleadershipthroughmyassistantshipworkwithSTARsandthrough
potentialpracticumexperiencesIwillhavewithcollegeagedstudents.
SocialJusticeandInclusion
Iunderstandthecompetencyofsocialjusticeandinclusiontobeaddresshowstudent
affairspractitionersviewissuesofdiversityandequity.Furthermore,howwehandlecertain
situationsregardingthesetopicsdemonstratesourcomprehensionofthiscompetency.Social
justiceandinclusionareseenthroughactionsbycreatingaspacewhereeachindividualis
treatedequallyregardlessofadifferenceonemayhave.Ipersonallyhopetofurtherdevelop
myunderstandingofthiscompetencythroughtheinitialunderstandingofwhattheideasequity,
diversityandinclusionmeanonacollegecampus.Ihopetolearnfrommypeersandother
studentsinordertoincreasemyunderstandinganddevelopmentonthiscompetency.
StudentLearningandDevelopment
Mycurrentunderstandingofstudentlearninganddevelopmentisveryminimal.I
understandthiscompetencytoberelatedtotheimplementationoftheorytopracticeandhow
studentaffairspractitionerscantakeresearchandimplementitintotheinteractionstheyhave
withstudents.Ihopetodevelopabetterunderstandingofhowtoutilizethiscompetencythrough

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coursework,primarilyStudentDevelopmentTheory.Iwishtobetterunderstandthetheoriesand
howpractitionerscanapplythemtobenefittheirstudents.
Technology
Withinstudentaffairs,Iunderstandthecompetencyoftechnologyasbeingusedto
benefittheunderstandinganddevelopmentofthestudentandthepractitioner.Thestudentaffairs
practitionercanutilizetechnologytoincreasestudentsdevelopment,educationandoverall
understandingofanitem.Also,technologyshouldbeusedbytheprofessionaltoincreasetheir
ownunderstandingandknowledge.Theunderstandingoftechnologyrequiresconstant
evaluationandresearchduetoacontinuallychangingtechnologicalsociety.Ihopetobetter
understandhowIcanusetechnologytoengagestudentbutnottodistractthem.
AdvisingandSupporting
Iunderstandthecompetencyofadvisingandsupportingtobetheguidinghandstudent
affairsprofessionalshavewiththeirstudents.Theabilitytoassistthemandprovideadviceand
feedbacktostudentsiscrucialforeveryareaofstudentaffairs.Developinganabilitytonotonly
provideadvicebutalsosupportstudentsrequiresdevelopmentofsuchskills.Advisinginsome
casescanbeverycomplicatedandbyfosteringknowledgeaboutadvisingandsupporting,
professionalsareabletoprovidebetterinteractionswithstudentsinprecariousscenarios.Isee
advisingandsupportingfocusingmoreontheoverallwellnessofthestudentinordertoassist
theminthebestwaypossible.Ihopetofostermyownunderstandingofthiscompetencyfurther
byusinganelectivetotakeapsychologycourseanddevelopcounselingskillsthatIcanutilize
inmyworkwithstudents.

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December2016
PersonalandEthicalFoundations
Mycurrentunderstandingofpersonalandethicalfoundationsishowaprofessional
maintainstheirbeliefsystemandremainsethicallysoundthroughtheirwork.Thiscompetency
focusesontheprofessionalbeingandexaminestheywaysinwhichtheworkerhandlesdifficult
situationsthatmaychallengeanethicalbelief.Oftentimesinthestudentaffairsfield,wemust

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remainmindfulofourintentionsandiftheyareethicallysoundthroughselfevaluation.An
initialunderstandingofonespersonalandethicalfoundationiscrucialinordertomaintainthese
foundations.Withoutabeliefsysteminplace,apersoncanbecomemovedawayfromthese
beliefsthroughouttime.Ialsothinkthatyoushouldreflectonthesebeliefsinordertomaintaina
senseofself.Ihopetocontinuemyunderstandingofthiscompetencythroughmyworkwithin
thestudentaffairssectorandmyownprofessionaldevelopmentinfutureyears.
Values,PhilosophyandHistory
Iinterpretvalues,philosophyandhistorytobeenactedinthestudentaffairssectorby
examinationofthepastandhowitaffectsthepresent.Integratinganunderstandingofthevalues,
philosophyandhistoryofauniversityintoyourdailyworkhelpsunderstandwhycertainthings
aredoneinsuchways.Iseevalues,philosophyandhistorybeingreferencedthroughout
discussionregardingchangesthatneedtobemadetoaprogramorpolicywithinauniversity.
Professionalsmaytakeintoconsiderationhowapolicyaffectsthevaluesandphilosophywhile
stillexamininghowthepolicyhashadanimpacthistoricallywithstudents.Forexample,during
mytimeintheOfficeofAdmissionsIhaveseenthisconceptbeenactedineventplanningfor
studentsandhowtobestreachthem.
Assessment,EvaluationandResearch
Inrelationstothestudentaffairssector,Iviewassessment,evaluationandresearchasthe
waysinwhichweconsiderprevioushappenings.Throughthisappraisalwecanseeifaprogram
isworkingorifchangesshouldbemadeinordertobetterfutureoccurrencesorevents.I
consideralloftheseitemstobefundamentalinunderstandinghowstudentsarereceivingthe
actionsthatweareprovidingandmodifyingbasedontheresults.Iseethiscompetencyenacted

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throughsendingoutevaluationsaskingforopinionsonarecenteventorcheckinginwitha
studentandseeingiftheyneedmorefromyoutosucceed.Ialsoseethisenactedthroughthe
developmentanduseofresearchwithinthestudentaffairssector.Ihavehadlittleexperience
withthiscompetencythusfar,butexpecttohavemorethroughtheAssessmentcourseIwillbe
takinginthefuture.
Law,PolicyandGovernance
Withinstudentaffairs,Iunderstandlaw,policyandgovernanceastheguidinghandthat
workswithintheuniversitysystem.Thiscompetencytomeisthelinesthattheuniversityhasset
inplace,forvariousreasons,thatstudentaffairsprofessionalsmustbeconsciousof.However,
thereiscontinuousopportunityfordevelopmentinsuchareasifsuchlaw,policyorgovernance
provesproblematictotheuniversity.Suchpoliciesarenotsolelyapplicablewithintheuniversity
setting,butalsooccuratthelocal,nationalandinternationallevel.Thesamedevelopment
shouldalsobeappliedtotheselevelsaswellinordertobeaneffectivestudentaffairs
professional.ThroughmyassistantshipIhaveseenthiscompetencyenactedbytherulesand
regulationsthecampushasforstaff,facultyandstudents.
OrganizationalandHumanResources
Withinstudentaffairs,Iseeorganizationalandhumanresourcestocontributethroughthe
administrativeaspectoftheuniversity.Icurrentlyunderstandthiscompetencytobeoccurringin
areassuchasfinanceandhumanresources.Workingwithintheadministrativeandmanagement
sideofstudentaffairs,Ibelievethiscompetencydealswithmoreconflictmanagementand
discoursethantheothercompetencies.Ihavehadlittleexposurewithinthisareabutwillworkto
betterunderstandthisthroughoutmycourseworkandassistantship.

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Leadership
Inmycurrentunderstandingofstudentaffairs,leadershipisatermmanyindividuals
oftenuse,butfewunderstandhowtocompletelyemploythecompetency.Thiscompetency
demonstratestheabilitytouseskillsandknowledgeandapplythemtopersonalinteractionswith
others,inbothgroupandoneononesettings.Notonlymustthepractitionerutilizeleadershipin
theirownexperiencesbutusesaidleadershiptoshowstudentshowtobecomeleaders.Leaders
exhibittaketheknowledgetheyhaveandturnitintorealworldapplications.Ihaveworkedwith
thiscompetencythroughmyassistantshipandworkingwithSTARS.Ihavebeenabletoassistin
theirleadershipdevelopmentwhilefosteringmyownaswell.Ihopetoevenfurtherthis
competencythroughmypracticumworkingwithGreekleadershipnextsemester.
SocialJusticeandInclusion
Iunderstandthecompetencyofsocialjusticeandinclusiontobeaddresshowstudent
affairspractitionersviewissuesofdiversityandequity.Furthermore,howwehandlecertain
situationsregardingthesetopicsdemonstratesourcomprehensionofthiscompetency.Social
justiceandinclusionmeanthateachpersonistreatedwithequityandacknowledgingdifference
butunderstandingthatbecauseofthisdifferencestudentsareautomaticallyatdifferentpoints.I
havefurtheredmyunderstandingofthiscompetencythroughdiscussionwithinmyEquity,
Diversity,andInclusioncourseandwithclassdiscussion.Ialsohavepersonallyworkedto
developmyownsocialjusticebycriticallyanalyzingtheofficeIworkinandhowwecanwork
todevelopasociallyjustatmosphere.Ihavebeguntheprocessofchangingsomeofthe
programingIworkwithtoaddinorganizationssuchasdisabilityservicesandmulticultural

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services.Iexpectthatmyunderstandingandimplementationofthiscompetencywillcontinueto
developthroughoutmygraduateschoolcareer.
StudentLearningandDevelopment
Mycurrentunderstandingofstudentlearninganddevelopmentisstillveryminimal.I
understandthiscompetencytoberelatedtotheimplementationoftheorytopracticeandhow
studentaffairspractitionerscantakeresearchandimplementitintotheinteractionstheyhave
withstudents.Irelatethistheorybacktohowstudentsdevelopthroughcollegeandthevarious
learningprocessesresearchersseewithinthecollegestudentarena.Ihavehadlittleexposureto
thiscompetencybutexpecttofurthermyunderstandingthroughtheStudentDevelopment
TheorycourseIwillbetaking.
Technology
Withinstudentaffairs,Iunderstandthecompetencyoftechnologyasbeingusedto
benefittheunderstandinganddevelopmentofthestudentandthepractitioner.Thestudentaffairs
practitionercanutilizetechnologytoincreasestudentsdevelopment,educationandoverall
understandingofanitem.Also,technologyshouldbeusedbytheprofessionaltoincreasetheir
ownunderstandingandknowledge.Theunderstandingoftechnologyrequiresconstant
evaluationandresearchduetoacontinuallychangingtechnologicalsociety.Afterasemester
withintheprogramIstillfeelthatIhaveverylittleunderstandingaroundthistopic.Iknowwhat
technologyisbutwithinthestudentaffairscontextIdonotknowitsimplementation.Istillhope
tobetterunderstandhowIcanusetechnologytoengagestudentbutnottodistractthem.

AdvisingandSupporting

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Iunderstandthecompetencyofadvisingandsupportingtobetheguidinghandstudent
affairsprofessionalshavewiththeirstudents.Theabilitytoassistthemandprovideadviceand
feedbacktostudentsiscrucialforeveryareaofstudentaffairs.Developinganabilitytonotonly
provideadvicebutalsosupportstudentsrequiresdevelopmentofsuchskills.Advisinginsome
casescanbeverycomplicatedandbyfosteringknowledgeaboutadvisingandsupporting,
professionalsareabletoprovidebetterinteractionswithstudentsinprecariousscenarios.Isee
advisingandsupportingfocusingmoreontheoverallwellnessofthestudentinordertoassist
theminthebestwaypossible.IfeelthatIhavehadagoodamountofexperiencewithadvising
andsupportingthroughmyinvolvementwithSTARS.Anexampleofthishasbeenthroughmy
oneononeworkwithstudentsandbeinganopendoorforthemiftheyneedit.Ifeelthatwith
theelectionandwithmanyeventsthattookplacethissemester,Ihavehadtheopportunityto
supportstudentsthatwerefeelingtheenormityofsuchevents.Ihopetocontinuemyown
understandingofthiscompetencythroughtheadvisingandsupportingcourseIwillbetaking.

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Reflection
WhenworkingonrevampingthecompetenciesfromtheexperiencesandunderstandingI
havedevelopedoverthepastfourmonthsitwasapparentlittlehadchanged.AlthoughIhave
hadnumerousexperiencesthroughmyassistantshipthatwereconnectedtovarious
competencies.Ifeltthatnoneofmyclassesdirectlyaddressedthecompetenciesasawhole.
EventhoughsomeofthecompetencieswillbeaddressedinthecoursesIamtakingnext
semester,Ifeltthatmanyofthecompetencieswereunaddressedinanymanner.BecauseofthisI
didnotfeelitwasneededtomakechanges.Muchofmyunderstandingofthecompetencies
stayedthesameevenifIdidhavedirectexperiencewiththem.Ifeltthatmypersonal
understandingofthecompetenciessocialjusticeandpersonalandethicalfoundationwerethe
mostdrasticchanges.Otherthanthese,someofthecompetenciesIhadexperiencesIcould
relatebackto,howevermypersonalexplanationofthemremainedextremelysimilar.Iexpect
thatasIgothroughtheprogramtheseunderstandingswillchangeanddevelop.Ialsoexpectthat
asIbegintobecomemoreintegratedintothehighereducationsystemandhavevarious
practicumexperiencesthatIwillcontinuetoexpandthisunderstanding.