I believe higher education helps individuals develop personal and professional competencies that address and extend beyond career preparation. My professional objectives are to assist campuses with adopting technology to collect and use data for continuous improvement and promote teamwork and collaboration to build supportive workplace environments. Honest reflection about my own strengths and areas for further development is essential for expanding my leadership skills, attaining goals, and pursuing professional development opportunities.

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Views on Higher Education

Institutions of higher learning have a critical role in the lives of individuals and in developing informed, socially just communities. I believe affordability, access, and academic integrity are cornerstones of higher education. When an individual has access to post-secondary education, they are exposed to opportunities for personal growth and development, professional development and career training, and enhanced social and global awareness. Since individuals begin their college journey from different backgrounds and places of privilege, policies and practices that work to achieve equity are another necessary cornerstone of today’s higher education environment. Additionally, I believe student learning outcomes require reflection and revision to benefit students, instructors, and staff. Intentionally designed transformative experiences are the key to student learning and development. Specifically, service learning and study abroad opportunities are important elements of learning experiences that happen outside of the classroom and require appropriate attention through planning, funding, and evaluation.

 

There are many expectations for and critiques of higher education by the public, and the future of higher education is intertwined with economic, social, and political events. In considering the history of higher education in the U.S., I view colleges and universities as a mirror that reflect the accomplishments, values, issues, and future direction of the larger society. Colleges and universities may be tasked today with solving the problems of tomorrow, but colleges do not exist within a vacuum. Among many things, the historical foundations, regional context, institutional type, and campus culture and values must be taken into consideration when setting expectations for learning and social contributions. With the value of a college degree in question, faculty and student affairs educators must collaborate in rising to the challenge of demonstrating that value and forging a clear path for the future of higher education.

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Using Data for Continuous Improvement

Assessment is an important part of campus culture that enables faculty, staff, and administrators to speak to the value of courses, programs, and services and provide evidence of student learning. Due to increased assessment efforts and data collection, there is a growing emphasis on data governance in higher education. The current climate is often described as “data-driven” or “data-informed," and these are often used interchangeably. I suggest a data-driven environment alludes to constant collection of data but does not necessarily indicate anything is being done with the information. I prefer to strive for creating a culture of assessment and a data-informed environment, where data is part of continuous reflection and improvement. Closing the loop in assessment cycles and reflecting on how data was used or what changes were implemented is an often-overlooked step in assessment. Student affairs educators and academic instructors alike have a responsibility to conduct meaningful and socially just assessment and demonstrate to stakeholders what students are learning. Collaboration among functional areas and with academic affairs is important for reducing silos and sharing key information in support of student learning, safety, and success.

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Teamwork and Collaboration

Self-awareness is a key element of building successful partnerships and collaborating effectively with others. Additionally, an awareness of one’s strengths and areas for growth and development are essential to finding the right professional fit. I am a firm believer in using reflection and open communication to build strong teams. As a former team manager in a technical support department, I have seen first-hand how the sum of all parts is greater than any one individual. Even in roles where the ability to work independently and autonomously is required and valued, interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with others is always necessary. Collaboration among colleagues within and across departments is essential for creating a sense of understanding and shared goals. Teamwork and collaboration enable individuals with separate, distinct roles to do what they do best while working toward a unified vision. Individuals should also be afforded opportunities for ongoing professional development as an essential component of building strong teams, retaining talented staff members, and enabling individuals to attain personal and organizational goals.

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Personal Skills

In my personal and professional life, I seek harmony and context in people, places, and things. I like to get to know the background and personal interests of individuals with whom I work, and I recognize the individuality and unique strengths that individuals bring to a team. No matter my role, I believe in leading by example. In the past, supervisees shared with me that they appreciated the fact that I had previously done their job and understood the pressures and daily experiences of a particular role. As someone who values history, I understood their perspectives and the ways in which our shared experiences helped build trust and rapport.

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My primary goal in working with others is to listen first and decipher needs, concerns, and priorities that will help to determine action steps. In my experience, listening without making assumptions is the foundation for resolving difficult client issues or interpersonal conflicts among co-workers. In any company or institution of higher learning, it is important to understand how the history, mission, and culture have created the conditions of the present, and I often look to those elements to help inform future goals and directions. History usually provides the context that helps me to make sense of the present and determine a plan for the future.