My Student Affairs Philosophy

Student affairs practitioners have the ability to impact the lives of young adults in a way that is almost unparalleled. Whether it’s influencing them to engage in a new activity, see the world through a different perspective, become more aware and accessible to change, and much more, we have the privilege to serve our community in a manner that could set them up for success in a personal and professional manner. Through the development of new soft skills and practical field knowledge, our vibrant community is able to become holistically more in tune with their place in the world and how they see themselves creating an impact that’s fulfilling to them. In my work today in relation to these beliefs, I see myself as a universal support system for both students and my professional community. With change, learning, and new environments as an essential element of the college lifestyle, I do my best to walk alongside my community members to make sure they are engaging with the community in a manner that speaks to them while simultaneously offering my support and services in whatever ways they believe is needed for guidance. My service to others and showing up every day has been a hallmark of my personal and professional identity since I was a teenager, and I hope to keep that at the forefront of my student affairs philosophy through my administrative efficiency, proactive nature in all types of situations, and my optimistic mindset and outlook on the world around us.

Creating an Efficient and Accountable Culture

Accountability and task completion is a core foundation of every professional sphere whether it be for education or not. For higher education specifically, the incompletion of tasks and processes leaves room for unanticipated challenges and additional hurdles for individuals to face both in autonomous and group settings. In short, being efficient and accountable in the field can be one of the major differences between a well-functioning, sustainable work culture and a disorganized, stressful environment. For myself, I take great pride in prioritizing tasks that involve my community or members that are not myself. In doing so, I am able to help the community function in a timely manner while still allotting the proper amount of time for myself to complete my less essential duties. I tend to exhibit this commitment and philosophy through my building financial and program tracking, conduct and care case updates, and extensively detailed incident reports regarding. In building this foundation for myself, I help to serve as a role model to my staff as someone who is knowledgeable about his work culture and is willing and available to structure his schedule in a manner that is accessible and useful to his team.

Being So Efficient and Accountable!

Maintaining a Flexible Mindset

Student affairs is forever changing in a way that no organization and preparation can prepare its students and workers for. In experiencing new environments together, student affairs practitioners need to learn how to face new experiences head on while reacting in a manner that maintains the social harmony necessary for keeping students in a good headspace and healthy environment. When I think about how professionals in the field can be calm and collected in these moments, I reflect on the findings explained in Magolda’s Self Authorship Model and how a crucial part in how students develop is learning how to trust their inner voice, build the foundation for their values, and secure those commitments to feel grounded in who they are. In apply these findings to myself, I understand that my student staff members and other young scholars I encounter will potentially look to me in certain situations to see how I handle a particular matter until they can feel more confident about their own commitments and values. This has led me to develop a large picture frame of thinking in the sense that, as long as my students are not injured and the buildings aren't burning down, everything will be fine in the end. In prioritizing this line of thinking, I'm able to be truthful with my students when situations arise and frame it in a manner that reminds them of the reality that most of what we do is not a major change or big deal to them. Overall, maintaining a flexible environment for me is important to keep my staff members open to change and allow myself and my professional community to be open and ready to adapt that change in a manner that is beneficial for our learning community and their personal development.

Rolling with the Punches! #ResLife

Motivating an Optimistic and Energetic Mindset

It’s no secret that mental health and the negative state of the world is a major point of conversation. With that being said, it's important to recognize that students are carrying that negative load into their collegiate experience and might not know how to handle those matters or begin necessary conversations to address those issues. Student affairs professionals need to be ready to jump in with open arms to accept students where they're at, work with them as much as they can, and be aware of when to collaborate with another individual who may be more beneficial for the student's well-being. In all aspects of life, I’ve been an individual who carries a lot of positive, vibrant energy built on connecting with new people and reminding everyone that someone is in their corner who is ready to walk their pace and help them get to the next right decision or action. Whether it be handing out affirmations on slips of paper, providing exemplary customer service during busy move-in periods, cracking jokes during staff meetings and individual interactions, and much more, I always believe that I’m striving to leave whatever room I'm in better than what it was before emotionally and holistically. I hope this mindset is something that my future staff can adapt into their own practices so they can feel empowered to do the same and set themselves up for personal and professional success regardless of where life takes them. I want them to feel like the superstars that I know they all are, and I intend on bringing that optimistic energy and spirit to any room, campus, and environment I'm blessed to interact with!

Serving as everyone's #1 fan!!!