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As I approach the completion of the Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel M.Ed program at Kent State University, I have identified five themes that make this program unique. These themes are important in distinguishing Kent State’s M.Ed from other Student Affairs, College Student Personnel, and Higher Education Administration programs throughout the country and are present throughout the curriculum and materialize in interactions between students, faculty, and alumni. As a student in the program, I believe that the five themes will make me distinctive as a student affairs professional and will continue to influence my thoughts, behaviors and ideas related to higher education and student development. The knowledge that I have gained from this program and the connections I have made will affect how I approach my individual responsibilities within higher education institutions and my involvement within the larger field of Student Affairs. ** Practical: ** Above all, the Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel program at Kent State is based on the practical application of knowledge. This is apparent from the practicum requirements within the curriculum and the availability of various graduate assistantships for students within the program. Students are required to complete at least 2 practicum experiences and are encouraged to explore different areas of interest and types of institutions in order to determine their preferences for future employment, organizational culture, and type of work environment. The faculty within the Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel program also pride themselves on the ability to secure graduate assistantships for all enrolled students in various focus areas at a multitude of different institutions throughout Northeast Ohio and surrounding areas. Students are expected to take full advantage of these practical experiences and are encouraged to share their experiences in classroom discussions and with their peers. Oftentimes, traditional courses will require students to reflect on their practical experiences and incorporate how these experiences have shaped their leadership styles and decision making process into assignments. Overall, graduates of the Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel program will be able to operate within a professional environment and determine their ideal professional setting because of the practical nature of the program. This will be a benefit for both the student and the future employer. ** Engaging: ** Although there is a required core curriculum within the M.Ed program, students have the ability to enroll in a variety of electives and special topics courses taught by permanent faculty, adjuncts, and administrators from Northeast Ohio. These courses enable students to learn about specific focus areas within Student Affairs, special populations of people, and new trends within higher education in general. The content from these courses enriches classroom discussions and encourages the inclusion of diverse interests as a graduate student and future professional. The certificates in Internationalization in Higher Education and College Teaching reward students for their interest in particular areas and are examples of the few certificates offered within higher education programs across the nation. In addition, the program offers opportunities for students to explore their own individual interests through individual investigation courses supervised by faculty members. In the classroom the M.Ed program is also unique because students do not travel in a traditional cohort model. Doctoral students, full-time and part-time students, administrators and students from other graduate departments are able to enroll in Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel courses. This mix of people promotes the exchange of multiple viewpoints and encourages students to consider multiple perspectives when discussing ideas, concepts, and plans of action. ** Supportive: ** From application to graduation, the faculty members within the Higher Education Administration program support and challenge to their students. With 6 full-time faculty members and a variety of other people teaching classes, our faculty make the time to meet with students to discuss course requirements, personal goals, and professional aspirations. All professors hold scheduled office hours but can be contacted or found in their office during regular business hours and beyond for informal and impromptu communication and meetings. In most classes, professors provide time for general announcements and personal check-ins and have a genuine interest in the overall well-being of the students. Faculty members are also involved in GRASPP social events, advise students on individual research and investigation projects, encourage students to publish their academic work, and promote involvement in local, regional, and professional student affairs associations. ** Relevant: ** Although the program reviews the history of the profession and requires students to analyze a variety of theories, class discussions and assignments are generally constructed to determine how the present is influencing the future. Current issues in higher education such as distance education, millennial students, mental health issues, campus crisis, and helicopter parents are frequent topics of discussion, with each student holding their opinions about the benefits and implications based on their prior experiences and coursework. All students are highly encouraged to keep abreast of issues that appear in the Chronicle of Higher Education and professors will often make time in class to discuss these issues and how they impact our current understanding of the material and influence higher education on the whole. In all courses, students are expected to use the information learned throughout the program and apply it to new concepts to create new knowledge. The capstone course, Case Studies in Higher Education Administration, in particular, showcases how the program places emphasis on being relevant by requiring students to use the knowledge gained through the program and apply it to hypothetical situations. The case analyses strive to help students “know what to do when they don’t know what to do” before they are given ultimate decision making power in a real professional environment. **Connected:** There is a sense of pride associated with being affiliated with the Kent State Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel program and it is evident from the connections between current students, alumni, and faculty members. As a graduate student, people can become involved in GRASPP, a student organization that strives to keep current students focused on their personal and professional development. This organization not only encourages involvement amongst current students, but also fosters collaboration between alumni, local administrators, and the Kent State community. Alumni remain connected through a variety of list-serves and in the Northeast Ohio region alone, a large continent of Kent State alumni are employed as administrators and are available as practicum supervisors and professional contacts for students. Finally, people throughout the Student Affairs profession are connected to Kent State through our presence at professional conferences, leadership roles within professional organizations, and publications within regional and national journals. In the small world of Student Affairs, current students, graduates, and faculty members can relate to one another because of the shared experiences provided by the M.Ed program.

From the explanations of the five themes, it is clear that the Higher Education Administration and Student Personnel M.Ed program is an attractive option for students who want to be professionally prepared and academically challenged. The Kent State program remains distinct by emphasizing exploration, multiple perspective taking, and application of knowledge. As a future graduate, I value the characteristics of the program and believe that they have helped me become a competent, analytical, and involved Student Affairs professional. I have no doubt that this program has shaped me into a better student and professional and that the knowledge gained and relationships established through my participation in this program will continue to influence me throughout my career.