WESTERN REGIONAL CAREERS IN STUDENT AFFAIRS DAY

E-Portfolio Entry

Activity Name & Description

Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day

In October, I was invited to attend the Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day by both the MHSE program and my supervisor Anthony Ragazzo, Director of ASI Leader and Program Development at California State University, Fullerton. The Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day (WRCSAD) is a multifaceted professional development event that seeks to promote the profession to talented and diverse individuals, and to retain current professionals by meeting their career oriented professional development needs. This day-long conference is targeted to a wide audience including undergraduate students, graduate students, as well as new and experienced professionals in student affairs. Cal Poly Pomona will be hosting the 9th annual Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day on Friday, October 26, 2012.

   Date/ Education

Friday October 26^th, 2012 (Fall Semseter)

Learning Domains Addressed (Labels)

o Leadership     o Social Justice & Advocacy    X Education  o Assessment & Evaluation 

X Personal Development

Learning Outcomes

 SWiBAT learn more about the experiences of a LGBTQ Student Affairs Professionals.

SWiBAT  learn more about the experiences of a male Student Affairs Professionals.

SWiBAT to learn more about different issues Student Affairs Professionals face.

Assessment Rubric

Rubric: Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day

	SLO #1 – LGBTQ Student Professional	SLO #2 – Male Student Affairs Professional	SLO #3 – Issues of Student Affairs
Advanced	I will be able to meet and form personal connections with LGBTQ Student Affairs professionals and take away several pieces of advice and wisdom that I can apply to my work as a LGBTQ Student Affairs Professional.	I will be able to meet and form personal connections with male Student Affairs professionals and take away several pieces of advice and wisdom that I can apply to my work as a male Student Affairs Professional.	I will be able to learn about several issues Student Affairs Professionals face.
Competent	I will be able to take 3 to 4 pieces of advice/wisdom around what it’s like to be a LGBTQ Student Affairs Professional.	I will be able to take 3 to 4 pieces of advice/wisdom around what it’s like to be a male Student Affairs Professional.	I will be able to learn about three different issues Student Affairs Professionals face.
Basic	I will be able to take two pieces of advice that I learned from LGBTQ Student Affairs Professionals.	I will be able to take two pieces of advice that I learned from male Student Affairs Professionals.	I will only be able to learn about two different issues that Student Affairs Professionals face.
Poor	I will not be able to learn anything about LGBTQ Student Affairs Professionals.	I will not be able to connect with any male Student Affairs Professionals.	I will be unable to learn anything about Student Affairs Professionals at this conference.

 

Evidence

For my first learning outcome, I was able to attend a workshop, LGBT & Allies in Student Affairs. This workshop was a panel of student affairs professionals who identify on the LGBTQIA spectrum and shared their experiences as they move up the student affairs ladder. After the panels shared their experiences, the panel moved to a question and answer session where participants were able to ask questions. Throughout the workshop, I took notes and was able to ask questions of the panelists. After the panel, during the meet and greet, I was able to exchange business cards and meet some of the professionals where I have formed networking relationships.

For my second learning outcome, I was able to attend the workshop, Men In student Affairs. This workshop was a panel of male identified student affairs professionals who shared their experiences as both male students and as male professionals. During this presentation, I learned about the NASPA Men and Masculinities Knowledge Community. During this presentation, I was able to take notes regarding male privilege and how Student Affairs Practitioners are trying to dismantle patriarchy and are trying to create spaces for all students. I think one of the most interesting pieces of advice that reflected the kind of professional I aspire to be was the importance of understanding intersections. One male professional offered that it is important to understand what you are passionate about and find a way to weave your passion into your career. This presentation even addressed gender equity, the lack of male visibility and representation of male professionals and the career field and how to diversify programs to find ways for men to be engaged.

In regards to my final learning outcome, the whole experience provided opportunities for me to address several issues facing Student Affairs Professionals.  I learned that men are being more and more disengaged in universities and Student Affairs Professionals must find new ways to reach them. I also learned that my whole authentic self would inform my practice as a Student Affairs Practitioner. I also learned that there importance of honoring diversity and equity and that my identity will enrich my work as a leader. In the final workshop, Legal and Ethics Issues in Student Affairs, I was able to learn how Student Affairs Practitioners have standards of professional practice that they utilize in ethical decision-making.  I also learned about Kitchner’s 5 moral principles that are:

1. Autonomy is the principle that addresses the concept of independence. The essence of this principle is allowing an individual the freedom of choice and action. It addresses the responsibility of the counselor to encourage clients, when appropriate, to make their own decisions and to act on their own values.
2. Nonmaleficence is the concept of not causing harm to others.
3. Beneficence reflects the counselor's responsibility to contribute to the welfare of the client.
4. Justice does not mean treating all individuals the same.
5. Fidelity involves the notions of loyalty, faithfulness, and honoring commitments.

Reflection

        The Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day offered many exciting experiences that I was able to utilize in my initial courses throughout my first semester at graduate school. I personally, enjoyed listening to the speakers and being around peers and potential colleagues in the field. I found there were many opportunities in the LGBTQ session to network. I felt this was especially important to my work because as  Queer Person of Color myself, I have to be able to be ready to change both hearts and minds. I think one of the best pieces of advice that I took from the experience was “You have to carve your space with your voice” and “your work will speak for you.” I thought as an advocate for social justice issues, that this aligned with my future work as a servant leader.

      Initially, Speaker D. Audrey- Yagamata-Noji, she asked the audience  to question: “What is my brand? What do I bring?” to Student Affairs. I think this was a great question because Student Affairs Practitioners must be vigilant in the way we invent ourselves. I think for the rest of my future career I will continue to try and answer this question: What do I bring to this space? I think this question is valuable because it keeps me fluid. It keeps me ready, mindful and courageous in my journey as a professional. I think I must be a change-agent and I must learn to unite: vision, passion, and courage.

       I felt this experience asked me to continually question myself on my journey as a reflexive-scholar practitioner. I think that is important because we must always be ready to revise ourselves. I think that makes our work truly unique. We must always be ready to revise-grow and develop.