My (Mission, Philosophy, Goal) Story....
The definition of being a professional in Higher Education and Student Affairs is deeply rooted in student success, preparedness, and mentorship. My role as a Student Affairs professional is to help students navigate the vast world of Higher Education and the wealth of opportunities that come with it. When coming to college, no matter the student background, it's my honor to service students on their pathway to success and through challenges to prepare them to contribute to society as a knowledgeable and capable citizen of the world.
We all have our “How I got into the biz…” stories. For many of us, Student Affairs isn’t our first choice in careers, and the same is true for me. In 2008, I left home, friends and high school behind with hopes of becoming successful and making a better life for myself and family. I then came to a predominately white institution, knowing no one or the first thing about Higher Education nor how to survive in my new environment. My family’s history of medical issues led me to study nutrition and dietetic sciences throughout my undergraduate experience.
During that time, I joined student organizations, worked part-time in the Residence Halls, and attempted a social life. Even with trying to reach out for help (which is hard for an introvert) by going to career services, talking with my advisor, going to activities on campus or being a part of a living learning community... I never quite felt supported or that I truly belonged. Often times, it seemed as though my classmates had it easy and I was isolated as the only African-American female in my program. I felt I had to work harder, accomplish more and support my family while trying to navigate my Higher Education experience.
Towards the end of my undergraduate experience, I began a journey of my own re-education to everything I had been taught thus far. By this time, I finally found a mentor from my work in the residence halls; little did I know, a new career path. At the end of my undergraduate experience, I attempted to further my education in nutrition but failed and began looking for the next direction in life. Again, I turned to my mentor who asked me what I thought about Student Affairs. Unknowingly, I had been working in one of the many roles one can be in the field; a Residential Counselor. Upon being accepted in my Master’s program for Student Affairs in Higher Education, I finally felt I had found what I had been looking for; a place to belong and where students needed me.
My experiences had shifted my sails and I could now set a course towards a new and fulfilling destination. I had also surpassed the climax of another personal exploration. The intimate discovery of my identity through my natural hair. After writing a case study on Phinney’s Model of Ethnic Identity development, it dawned on me that part of my mission in the field of Student Affairs is to redefine the “at risk student”, as well as the perception of academic success and to be the mentor/role model for the underrepresented. My true goal in working with students is to help them learn how best navigate the world of High Education so they can persist to earn their degree(s) and achieve life goals.
We all have our “How I got into the biz…” stories. For many of us, Student Affairs isn’t our first choice in careers, and the same is true for me. In 2008, I left home, friends and high school behind with hopes of becoming successful and making a better life for myself and family. I then came to a predominately white institution, knowing no one or the first thing about Higher Education nor how to survive in my new environment. My family’s history of medical issues led me to study nutrition and dietetic sciences throughout my undergraduate experience.
During that time, I joined student organizations, worked part-time in the Residence Halls, and attempted a social life. Even with trying to reach out for help (which is hard for an introvert) by going to career services, talking with my advisor, going to activities on campus or being a part of a living learning community... I never quite felt supported or that I truly belonged. Often times, it seemed as though my classmates had it easy and I was isolated as the only African-American female in my program. I felt I had to work harder, accomplish more and support my family while trying to navigate my Higher Education experience.
Towards the end of my undergraduate experience, I began a journey of my own re-education to everything I had been taught thus far. By this time, I finally found a mentor from my work in the residence halls; little did I know, a new career path. At the end of my undergraduate experience, I attempted to further my education in nutrition but failed and began looking for the next direction in life. Again, I turned to my mentor who asked me what I thought about Student Affairs. Unknowingly, I had been working in one of the many roles one can be in the field; a Residential Counselor. Upon being accepted in my Master’s program for Student Affairs in Higher Education, I finally felt I had found what I had been looking for; a place to belong and where students needed me.
My experiences had shifted my sails and I could now set a course towards a new and fulfilling destination. I had also surpassed the climax of another personal exploration. The intimate discovery of my identity through my natural hair. After writing a case study on Phinney’s Model of Ethnic Identity development, it dawned on me that part of my mission in the field of Student Affairs is to redefine the “at risk student”, as well as the perception of academic success and to be the mentor/role model for the underrepresented. My true goal in working with students is to help them learn how best navigate the world of High Education so they can persist to earn their degree(s) and achieve life goals.