10316Phil

Philosophy of Student Affairs Several courses in the Higher Education program have required me to reflect upon my own undergraduate experiences and how they may be relevent to a particular field. I have found this to be an important exercise in every class, because it reminds me of the changes which took place during my collegiate experience. The personal transformation that took place during my education shaped the woman I became, because higher education is about much more than coursework and curricular requirements. Attending college is an opportunity to challenge assumptions and values. It is a chance to indulge new perspectives and broaden mental and emotional boudaries. These changes are what I value as much as diplomas and the information aquired through coursewerk. What I value deeply in student affairs is the transformative process that occurs and my ability to encourage and support that process. The idea that education, both curricular and co-curricular, affects personal change is not one unique to my own experience. It is a reoccuring theme in many subjects and one I enjoyed exploring in my graduate program. In the higher education program it was expecially relevant in the student development course. I utilized Ruthellen Josselson’s Theory of Identity Development in Women to better understand my own process of identity formation as a college student (Evans, 1998, p.66). After experiencing crisis, I eventually reached the stage of identity achievement and was able to experience high levels of intimacy in my life. Diversity was another, highly influential subject which shaped my philosophy of student affairs. Exposure to differences is transformative; the university has the ability to contribute to student development and societal outcome through diversity experiences. Interaction with diversity has shown to change students’ cognitive, social and democratic skills. Instiution wide changes include retention, cultural awareness, interest in social issues, and the importance of creating social awareness (Hurtado, 2005). An aspect that is especially important is that these outcomes are not reliant upon the local population. A study of liberal arts colleges showed positive effects from diversity experiences even though the locations of the institutions were not already instilled with diverse populations (Umbach & Kuh, 2006). In other words, any student, no matter the institutions or homogenieity in the community, can grow from diversity experiencse. They can acquire qualities which enhance democracy, contribute to their work ethic and improve citizenship. In the leadership course, I learned that our interactions can shape who are and how we lead. The ability to understand and work well with others is vital to success. Relational structures affect interactions and the sharing of knowledge. I grew to value team and relational styles, characterized by open communication, trust, lack of hierarchy or power, and limited politics (Kezar, Carducci & Contreras-McGavin, 2006, p.132). I also appreciated the collegial culture which is more informal in nature. Power is shared and decisions made more democratically” (Kezar, Carducci & Contreras-McGavin, 2006, p.124). One quote from this course well summarizes what I believe about student affairs, “If you remember one thing about information, it is that it only becomes valuable in a social context” (Fullan, 2001, p.78). The fact is most students will experience some type of life change during their enrollment in higher education. However, colleges and universities can also be agents of change. We can assist this change by creating a welcoming environment with observant representatives and play a supportive role. We can promote numerous types of learning and growth. The college experience matters to students, their families, friends and their future co-workers. The values that a student internalizes shapes the decisions and actions they will take in their lives, which like a pebble thrown in a pond, will have a rippling effect on many others. The experience matters for many people, so it should also matter to us.