It was not without an honest attempt that I did not complete my 2023 goal of reading ‘Democracy and Education’ by John Dewey. More notably, despite this missed goal, I more than affirmed my dedication to Student Engagement as a professional field, when I received an unexpected promotion to department Director (February 2024). This promotion increased the regular workload as my former position remained vacant for six-months. As the position was filled, I have worked to share my passion for the profession with the new employee. I continue to rate myself as ‘intermediate’ within the PEF competency.

Goals

1. Begin planning for continued education (PhD/EdD) within the Student Affairs profession (for potential fall 2026 enrollment).

While still at an intermediate level, my personal and ethical foundations remain strong. Notably, after a year of nearly completely rebuilding a student engagement department, I have affirmed my foundational beliefs in the profession; Both my supervisor and I have heard the overwhelmingly positive reaction from students as we bring new energy and programs to JWU-CLT’s student engagement department. Unfortunately, despite these strengths, I did not accomplish either of my Summer 2022 goals: journaling; and, reading ‘Democracy and Education’ by John Dewey. I will forgo repeating the journaling goal, but I have begun the reading goal (a year late). Additionally, without professional development funds, my relationship with ACPA (or NASPA) have grown more distant. 

Goals

1. Read ‘Democracy and Education’ by John Dewey (see also: SLD & VPH). 

I consider my ability to reflect and make-meaning of my experiences as one of my strongest attributes. Despite my lack of national/international professional association involvement (beyond conference attendance), I have continued to invest in my personal and ethical foundations. Shaken by an objectifying job search process, I relied on my solid ethical foundation to remain committed to student engagement and higher education — a feat that many have not accomplished, as the field experiences an exodus of professionals.

While still self-defined as intermediate competence, I believe I have increased the depth of that status. Having virtually attended ACPA 2021, and already registered for ACPA 2022, I have connected to my national professional association. Unfortunately, my relationship with Break Away (national alternative break organization) did diminish in significance, although I have been able to invest in the philosophical foundations of Florida State Alternative Breaks – relaunching the program in a more sustainable and adaptive form, true to its mission of student accessibility.

I believe I have met the spirit of intermediate competency. As suggested, I have registered for ACPA 2020, although I will not be participating in a new professional’s program. While I did complete a summer internship, it was as a Summer College Resident Director at Cornell University instead of as a TA for a course at FSU. The internship provided significant learning regarding my own ethical foundations and helped me find an appropriate level of integration between my professional role and my personal identity. In September of last year, I was hired by FSU to serve full-time as a service leadership program coordinator. As such, I presented at a national alternative break summit (Break Away) in November.

At this time, I still view myself at an intermediate level within this competency. A year of graduate study has made my personal and professional identity increasingly resolved and integrated with one another. I journaled each day of my first Alternative Spring Break experience and have completed several philosophy statements as part of assigned coursework. I have been able to grow a network that holds me accountable to my professional standards. I have also been able to secure an internship at Cornell University working as a summer Residence Director to gain additional professional experience in a functional area I am otherwise unfamiliar with.

Intermediate – I have spent a considerable amount of time on developing my own set of personal beliefs and commitments through reflective prospective broadening activities and have learned to succinctly articulate them in professional settings. I have faced moments of ethical conflict in an entry-level student affairs position and utilized appropriate departmental and organizational resources to overcome them. Wellness has become an important component to my individual identity and assistance is regularly sought in its maintenance. Limited experiences with professional associations and a lack of tenure in the field of student affairs have limited my ability to apply my personal and ethical foundations to everyday practice.