Analysis and Action Plan

Candice Germany

Loyola University Chicago

 After reading my whole portfolio, I think that many of the skills and competencies a

higher education professional should be very clear. There are a large number of different

competencies that exist, but there are several areas where every professional should have basic

knowledge. Using the knowledge that I have gained through my internships and assistantship, I

have found these skills to be very important.

Intercultural competence is very important for a professional in the field of higher

education. Professionals should be able to discuss and communicate cultural norms and values of

the students that they work with regularly. Having conversations and creating safe and brave

spaces are all a part of having intercultural competence. Professionals can build relationships

with students through these spaces and conversations to help promote a more diverse and

inclusive campus.

Professionals have to be effective collaborators if they are in the field. I believe that

collaboration across offices makes for a more cohesive campus. Many different initiatives are

created by different offices, but other professionals across campus do not become involved

because they do not believe it is part of their responsibilities. An example of this happing are

diversity initiatives. Multicultural centers are given full responsibility to handle these initiatives

and receive little support from other offices. These types of initiatives should be considered the

responsibility of everyone across campus and all professionals should have a stake in this

collaboration. Students also benefit greatly from cross collaboration because it builds

relationships and resources that professionals can help students discover.

I will be utilizing these competencies in my professional work and goals. After

graduating from this program, I plan to begin the process of joining a professional organization

and becoming an involved volunteer. I would like become a member of Association of College
Unions International, ACUI. I would like to do my first presentation with a professional

organization within the next year. I would like to become an involved volunteer in the region that

I am located in, since ACUI provides learning spaces for many different educators. In the next

five years, I would like to begin a doctoral program in higher education. I am currently

researching institutions that I would like to join.