Ideal Higher Education/Student Affairs Setting

My ideal higher education setting would be a public or private college or university. I was

My ideal higher education setting would be a public or private college or university. I was educated in public schools, colleges, and universities so I believe these institutions are where I would feel most comfortable. However, just because I have not been part of a private institution, I would not preclude myself from becoming part of one. I am leaving myself open in this category. I could see myself starting at a 2-year school. My life and work experiences would lend themselves to being of help to those who might not have had an easy time in the educational arena or could be more challenged than the average college student. I could see myself working with first-generation or non-traditional students who are desirous of earning a degree to open doors to better job opportunities or looking to continue their educational paths. I firmly believe that my values and any institution that I commit to must align.

An ideal work setting would be within an institution that values people--students, faculty, and staff. A work place would have to demonstrate those values through respectful treatment of these groups. Examples would include honoring labor contracts (or accepting employees' desire to form a union if one doesn't exist) and seeing employees in a holistic manner--providing educational opportunities to help employees better perform at work or on a personal level. An employer that understands this type of growth benefits the institution and the people it serves. I think my desire for this type of environment ties into the Personal Ethical Foundations (PEF) as described in the Professional Competency Area for Student Affairs Educators. Especially, as it outlines the need for a professional to have "knowledge, skills, and dispositions to develop and maintain integrity in one’s life and work; this includes thoughtful development, critique, and adherence to a holistic and comprehensive standard of ethics and commitment to one’s own wellness and growth." (ACPA/NASPA, 2015, p.16)

An ideal work setting would be an institution that believes in the transformative power of education. The ability to change, learn and grow while being taught courses that will help establish careers and create more well-rounded people is a big reason why I believe in higher education.

My future workplace must offer real support to Social Justice and Inclusion (SJI) efforts. As a future higher education professional, I believe an educational institution must offer platforms that provide opportunities to educate all stakeholders about oppression, privilege, and power in order to understand the need for social justice. I want to see the support of inclusion through creating outlets for minoritized groups in which to find their way into conversations about how their institution is rising to a variety of challenges and whether or not the institution is truly being equitable in its policies and programs.

While I don't know the exact role that I will fulfill in higher learning, I believe that I can contribute to a future workplace by embodying a key component of the SJI competency as described in the Professional Competency Area for Student Affairs Educators. Particularly, student affairs educators should "...have a sense of their own agency and social responsibility that includes others, their community, and the larger global context. (ACPA/NASPA, 2015, p.30) As I mentioned in my second blog post, I think understanding one's own sphere(s) of influence in addition to students' needs, and current practice is very important in determining what I can do and how I will get it done. It's a real-life "reading of a room"--getting a sense of what the needs are and who is in need. Are needs being addressed? How so? What could I do to contribute to an existing effort? Who are the leaders in these efforts? How can I forge a good relationship or bond with these individuals so that I can be of assistance? How could I identify a need to help with or take on a need that isn't being met? Understanding my own power and how to identify like-minded people and potential alliances are key activities in creating an ideal student affairs workplace that will serve all stakeholders.