1908

Choosing to attend Kent State University’s Higher Education Administration & Student Personnel program turned out to be a perfect fit for me. After applying to many student affairs graduate programs and attending multiple graduate assistantship interview days at various institutions; I decided that Kent State University best suited my needs/ From the warm and sincere welcome that I received from the faculty to the vast variety of graduate assistantships, Kent’s HIED program provided me with the opportunities that I was looking for to help me become a competent student affairs practitioner. The main criteria that I looked for while searching for a graduate program in student affairs was an opportunity to have a lot of hands on, practical experience. Practical experience is a major theme that is apart of Kent’s HIED program, something that was stressed to me at GA interview days and also in my various classes. Although having a graduate assistantship is not required to be in the HIED program, 2 practicum experiences are required to be completed by each student. My graduate assistantship and my practicum experiences have been the highlight of my time in the HIED program because I was able to take what I had learned in the classroom and apply it to my experiences working with students. Kent’s HIED program taught me that although the use of theory can be helpful, nothing is a substitute for practical experience working with students. Another major theme that I experienced in Kent’s HIED program is the flexibility that the program allows for you to choose the area of student affairs that you want to work in. Coming into the HIED program straight from undergrad, I was unsure what specific route I wanted to pursue as my career in student affairs. Kent’s HIED program allows students numerous opportunities to sample different career options in student affairs by requiring completion of two practicum experiences. Kent’s HIED program made me feel comfortable about not knowing what I wanted to do right away, but provided support as learned more about myself and my abilities. In addition to the required practicum experiences, the theme of trying out different careers in student affairs was also emphasized in the classroom. Numerous projects and papers required interacting with various student affairs professionals to gain their insights and personal opinions, which also allowed for personal networking opportunities. Another aspect of Kent’s HIED program that I liked was the fact that there was a good balance of administration and student affairs classes to choose from. From my experience interviewing at other institution’s student affairs programs, there was not a lot of variety between classes for students to choose from. Kent’s program allows students to “mix and match” classes in both student affairs focused classes, as well as administration classes that are geared to prepare students for mid to upper level positions in higher education. While a lot of other programs seemed to solely focus on theory, Kent’s HIED program provides classes on theory such as College Student Development and also provides classes to ensure that you are familiar with topics that student affairs professionals will have to face on a daily basis such business administration. I feel that having this variety in my course work will help to be well prepared when I am facing challenges in my professional career. The opportunity for student and faculty collaboration is another theme that is stressed in Kent’s HIED program. Coming directly into my graduate program from undergrad, I was use to the standard lecture style of class, in which a professor taught information and I was expected to repeat it back on exams. Kent’s HIED faculty members facilitate dialogue in the classroom but they expect students to be active participants in the learning process. In addition, the HIED faculty members truly wants to know our ideas and insights and are eager and willing to collaborate with students on article submissions and conference presentations. The program themes that Kent’s HIED program infuses into students have helped to prepare me for my professional career working with college students and helping them to be successful. I am anxious to apply what I have learned in the HIED program to my professional career on a daily basis.