History, Philosophy, & Practice
PROFICIENT LEVEL
I have demonstrated a proficient skill level in the History, Philosophy, and Practice competency area. The College Student Personnel coursework and the 2013 Summer Study Tour to South Africa are where I gained the most experience within this competency. As a successful practitioner, I must understand the history of the profession, and how it shapes current practices and institutional missions.
Activity 1: Coursework
The coursework in the CSP 6010: Foundations and Functions of College Student Personnel provided me a deeper understanding of the history of founding philosophies for student affairs and higher education. The course readings provided a basis of how the profession was developed and how these early values shape current practices. For example, I learned how the Service Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill) sparked an era of change within higher education by growing junior and community colleges. The GI Bill also introduced portal government aid to institutions for the first time, creating a culture where government aid is an entitlement for all students (Schuh, Jones, Harper, & Associates, 2011). From this practice, we saw the development of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and an increase of diversity within institutions. It is from this history that the Student Personnel Point of View (1937) was created and still serves as a guide to the student affairs profession. The values of this document remind us of the original foundation of student affairs: service.
Also within the CSP 6010 course, we completed a site team visit. Completing the site team visit, we were able to gain additional information on various institutional types and functional areas. The site team visit helped me gain knowledge of the factors that affected the development of different institutional types. I also obtained an understanding of how student affairs history and philosophy have shaped and played a part in the institutions and their practices relative to institutional type.
Activity 1: Coursework
The coursework in the CSP 6010: Foundations and Functions of College Student Personnel provided me a deeper understanding of the history of founding philosophies for student affairs and higher education. The course readings provided a basis of how the profession was developed and how these early values shape current practices. For example, I learned how the Service Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill) sparked an era of change within higher education by growing junior and community colleges. The GI Bill also introduced portal government aid to institutions for the first time, creating a culture where government aid is an entitlement for all students (Schuh, Jones, Harper, & Associates, 2011). From this practice, we saw the development of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and an increase of diversity within institutions. It is from this history that the Student Personnel Point of View (1937) was created and still serves as a guide to the student affairs profession. The values of this document remind us of the original foundation of student affairs: service.
Also within the CSP 6010 course, we completed a site team visit. Completing the site team visit, we were able to gain additional information on various institutional types and functional areas. The site team visit helped me gain knowledge of the factors that affected the development of different institutional types. I also obtained an understanding of how student affairs history and philosophy have shaped and played a part in the institutions and their practices relative to institutional type.
Click the title to view the artifact!
Site Team Visit Prezi
Activity 2: Study Tour-South Africa
Another experience that enhanced my skills in the History, Philosophy, and Values competency was the three-week study tour to South Africa. Recently, student affairs and the collegiate system in South Africa were transformed when 36 universities and technikons were merged into 22 institutions. This merger has created an interesting dynamic and demographic shift within the institutions. The trip provided us the opportunity to visit four major cities and numerous institutions ranging in size, student demographics, and historical backgrounds. In the pre-departure sessions and group meeting during the trip, we discussed the history of South Africa and how the recent merger had affected the institutions and student affairs.
Through my reflection of the study tour, I was able to “identify other countries’ history and development of student affairs practice” aspect of the History, Philosophy, and Values competency (ACPA & NASPA, 2010, p.15). My study tour reflection journal is a personal account of my experiences and thoughts about the pre-departure sessions and the overall trip. My journal also reflects my insight on the various institutions and the significance that the merger played in shaping the role of student affairs in South Africa today.
Another experience that enhanced my skills in the History, Philosophy, and Values competency was the three-week study tour to South Africa. Recently, student affairs and the collegiate system in South Africa were transformed when 36 universities and technikons were merged into 22 institutions. This merger has created an interesting dynamic and demographic shift within the institutions. The trip provided us the opportunity to visit four major cities and numerous institutions ranging in size, student demographics, and historical backgrounds. In the pre-departure sessions and group meeting during the trip, we discussed the history of South Africa and how the recent merger had affected the institutions and student affairs.
Through my reflection of the study tour, I was able to “identify other countries’ history and development of student affairs practice” aspect of the History, Philosophy, and Values competency (ACPA & NASPA, 2010, p.15). My study tour reflection journal is a personal account of my experiences and thoughts about the pre-departure sessions and the overall trip. My journal also reflects my insight on the various institutions and the significance that the merger played in shaping the role of student affairs in South Africa today.
Click the title to view the artifacts!
Study Tour Reflection Journal
References
ACPA & NASPA (2010). Professional competency areas for student affairs practitioners. Washington, DC: Authors.
Schuh, J.H., Jones, S.R., Harper, S.R., & Associates. (2011). Student services: A handbook for the profession. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
ACPA & NASPA (2010). Professional competency areas for student affairs practitioners. Washington, DC: Authors.
Schuh, J.H., Jones, S.R., Harper, S.R., & Associates. (2011). Student services: A handbook for the profession. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.