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While reflecting on and analyzing my experience of the Kent State University HIED program I have come up with three themes that arch over the Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel (HIED) program as a whole. The first is the diversity of courses and internships offered. Second, is the emphasis on putting what you learn into practice. Third, is the commitment to students needs from the each of the programs’ faculty. I was aware of these three themes before I chose this program, which is the reason I did so and were strengthened each semester of my studies. The Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel program here at Kent State University offers a wide variety of courses in all aspects of the higher education field. The classes offered are more than just the standard core classes of any program, they range from Special Topics courses in specific areas such as Greek Life and Service-Learning, to courses on institution types such as Community Colleges and Private Liberal Arts Colleges. Also because there are so many electives you can even tailor you course work in order to complete your degree with a certain program certificate in International Higher Education or College Teaching. I personally will finish the HIED program with the certificate in International Higher Education. I chose this path of study during my second semester while taking the Kent State HIED course in Italy. This course of study has made me realize how much of a role the international world plays in higher education. While I do not know much about the certificate in college teaching, I think it is a great option for students enrolled in our doctoral program. I felt that while there are great core courses embedded in Kent’s HIED, the greatest part involves the options you are given with the wide range of electives. Another major idea of the Kent State University HIED program is the emphasis on the practical experiences. Here in the HIED program you can walk away with such rich experience. I had the opportunity to not only have a Graduate Assistantship in Enrollment Management and Student Affairs but I also had three internships in a variety of offices. One of the emphases here is advice from Dr. Thomas to go beyond Kent State University and to take advantage of the many universities and colleges in the area to gain experience. For that reason, I chose to do an internship at Baldwin Wallace College. I could not have asked for a better experience. I had completed my undergraduate degree at a mid-sized, state institution and am now getting my masters from a comparable type of university, so having the opportunity to get practicum experience at other types of institutions is very beneficial to me. Something else that I was encouraged to do here was a summer long internship away from the Midwest. I chose to do a summer internship at Seattle University in orientation. This internship alone was a major highlight of my practical experience. If it were not for the faculty and staff at Kent State University I would not have even considered going as far for such a great learning experience. The faculty’s role in this HIED program is another major theme I would like to discuss. The very reason I felt comfortable here at KSU was because of the faculty and how they interacted with students. Coming from Chicago I initially knew no one from Kent but the warm and friendly faculty made my transition all the easier. Most programs can boast about their well-experienced faculty but where KSU’s HIED program stands out is how involved in each student’s education these faculty members are. They make an effort to get to know their students both in the classroom and out. I have had faculty come to my programs, visit my practicum sites, or just sit with me and share a cup of coffee. The faculty here are not just dedicated to the program or to publishing their own work, they are dedicated to the growth of the individual student. The faculty here is also from a wide range of professional backgrounds and expertise. If you want to learn in the areas of service-learning, international higher education, law, etc. the many HIED faculty are well scholar in all of these areas, There have been times where I have needed a counselor, family member, and/or mentor and each of the faculty here have served in these roles for me. As I look forward to my upcoming graduation I can look back at the themes of this program and feel not only prepared but confident to be a professional in the higher education field. Even though my time here at Kent State University was a short one looking at the longevity of my life I know that because of the knowledge and experience that I have gained here I will be a leader in this field where ever it is that I go.