As YouTube sensation, Kid President, once said, “it’s everybody’s gift that gives the world a reason to dance.” Reflecting on my experiences within higher education as both a student and practitioner, I can truly say that my gift comes in the form of passion. I am incredibly passionate in the work that I do, as well as continuing my education, so that I may be able to give back to colleagues and student alike in order to work towards a more inclusive and progressive society. As for how this relates to student affairs, I use four values to ground the work that I do, and the impact that I hope to continue making on people’s lives. Those four values are individuality, growth, aspiration, and respect. My inspiration, dedication, and motivation spurns from those values and I hope to continue to work towards making a positive difference in the work that I do within this field.

Individuality

In order to truly make an impact on someone else’s life, one must be comfortable and accepting of themselves. This is where individuality comes into play for me. No one person is the same, nor do more than one person experience the same life journey. As a student affairs professional, I have had my fair share of ups and downs that essentially led me to be where I am today. Through sharing my story and being vulnerable with those around me, I am able to provide insight on the good and bad aspects of life, as experienced through my personal journey. I intend to continue championing individuality with the students and colleagues that I have the pleasure to work alongside. Once an individual, no matter age or the stage in life they are currently in, is able to accept that they are different and unique, they are truly able to develop as a result. The responsibility is on me to never lose sight of who I am and how I show up in a space, in order for me to truly assist others in becoming more individualistic.

Growth

Before one is able to discuss the value of growth, one must understand the layers of growth. Growth has the ability to show up in many different ways, ranging from personal growth to societal growth. Through thinking about growth on a personal level, one is able to make a large impact on others. If a person takes the time to better themselves, they are more prone and quipped to pay it forward in the future, through whatever way that is important to that person at the time. For example, as a student affairs professional, I am self-aware that I had a limited scope of diversity coming into graduate school. This led me to be intentional with educating myself on what diversity truly meant to me, but also to society. In doing so, I was able to pay it forward to my Resident Assistant staff, so they may be able to share with and educate their residents on diversity. In looking at growth, we must be able to be willing to grow in order for positive change and education to occur. Without an open-mind and ability to grow, one’s purpose for change may be wasted.

Aspiration

Aspiration, simply put, is the hope or ambition to achieve something. Within student affairs, I must consistently be able to set goals for myself, but also for those around me. Without goal setting and accountability, complacently tends to occur. Someone once told upon entering into the field, “once your work begins to be routine, you need to leave.” That quote has resonated with me since, especially since I have been able to have a multitude of experiences within the field. When aspiring to do something or be someone, one may truly begin to see the world in a different perspective. When working with students who seem stressed out or agitated, I ask a simple question, “where do you see yourself in a few years.” This question allows the student to internally set goals for their future, all while allowing the student to see how their stress or agitation plays into a larger picture. As a growing professional, I must continue to set personal goals, as well as continue to hold those around me accountable for their own aspirations.

Respect

If there is one value that truly drives the work that I do and the passion I have for positive change, it is respect. Without respect little to nothing can truly be accomplished. Respect, in my approach to life, is automatically given. Should someone lose my respect, it is incredibly difficulty, but not impossible, to earn back. Within student affairs, there are a lot of different sub-populations (i.e. age, race, gender, sexual orientation, culture, etc.). In order to grow together, these sub-populations, as well as the individuals that make them up, must learn to navigate together and respect one another. It remains my responsibility to continue to provide opportunities for students and colleagues to continue to respect each other and their beliefs.