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F inding the right graduate school and even the right graduate program was a challenge for myself. The decision to attend graduate school at Kent State was a tough choice, However, that choice was the best decision I made. The Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel Program has been consistent in challenging not only myself but also my attitudes and views to many of the pressing issues. When I talked to current administrators in Higher Education before I chose Kent State, their advice settled on making sure that you are aware of the pressing and challenging issues and be prepared to handle the issues. All my classes, professors, and other students have challenged myself to be aware and prepared to handle my future jobs.   //Be Prepared // A major focus within the program at Kent State is a strong emphasis is not just on theory but putting what you learn into practice. With many of the full time faculty, and especially many of the adjunct faculty working in the field, each was distinctly qualified to move class discussion and assignments into putting theory into practice. With a major emphasis on preparedness there should be no surprise that the program requires at least two different practicum experience. These experiences add upon the theoretical discussions in the classroom to bring more learning into the practical sense. Being prepared for the practical work, does mean that we needed to understand the theoretical components of field. Many of the classes required and electives offered covered the theories in use and currently being researched in our field.

//Stay Aware // Colleges and Universities are usually seen as one of the slower changing arenas, but in all reality our field is in a fluid state because of the changing nature of our students. The program at Kent State understands that dynamic and manages to make sure we, as students and soon to be administrators, visibly see whats here now and even on the horizon. A good example is through the coursework that is expected. Classes such as Administration of Multiculturalism and Diversity in Higher Education allows students to be on the front end of the changes in student backgrounds and how to help. Another course, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, keeps us as future administrators aware of the powerful role assessment will play in the future.   //The Faculty // //As much as I got our of the program was because of the experience and knowledge of the faculty. The faculty strive to push us further and gain a better understanding of the theoretical grounding in our fields. But they do not stop there. The full-time and even adjunct faculty pushed us to look forward to see what is coming up on the horizon in our respective offices or departments. The faculty were a trusted source for support but were not afraid to challenge or push our views on changing issues of the day. No matter what the class, elective or required, who ever was in charge of the classroom was knowledgeable about the subject but also excited to teach us future administrators about their work. Going beyond the normal duties of a professor, Kent States faculty became a part of our families in rooting for our success and helping us around the tough corners. //  //Overall Experiences // <span style="font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif;">As future administrators within different departments, Kent State does a great job to make sure that we are prepared to take on any role and be aware of the problems we currently face and will face as administrators. The diverse coursework allows a student to broaden their horizon in practical ability while still maintaining a strong theoretical background. Starting with a core theoretical base it allows for us to challenge ourselves in practical situations like practicums or in our graduate assistantships. Ultimately, Kent State treats us as a part of the family. They are concerned with our experiences in the classroom and even during our times at our assistantships. In the end, my experience at Kent State has been tremendous. I have met and made plenty of ears and eyes to help me out as professional, through a voice of support to giving advice to handle a situation. I am prepared to take the step into the field as an administrator, aware to face the challenges head on, and remember everything what I learned from the faculty.