Leaving this program, I have never been more confident in who I am as a

professional in higher education. Throughout my time at Loyola University Chicago, I have

learned key competencies, skills and have acquired knowledge that will positively impact

the campuses on which I work. I have seen this from my experiences inside the classroom

but also at my internships that have taken place through Loyola and my transformative

relationships with the faculty of this program.

The competencies, skills and knowledge that I have gained from this program are

diverse. I believe that specifically I have gained the competencies to truly critically reflect

on historical and contemporary issues in a variety of higher education contexts. From

issues related to political movements to current theories that shape the work that we do- I

believe I have acquired the ability to view these issues not as problems, but challenges that

will cause my campus and myself to grow. Through my research inside the classroom and

my experiences with other aspects of Loyola I am able to apply contextual knowledge to

any problem and work with my peers and students to create educational opportunities that

allow everyone involved to make meaning of their experiences.

One of the skills that I have acquired throughout this program is the ability to truly

translate the theories that I learn into practice. I do this as a member of Dr. John P. Dugans

research team. This team is charged with crafting a new textbook centered on critical

deconstruction of leadership theory. As a member of the team, I assist with analyzing two

decades worth of literature and synthesize leadership research using a critical lens. In the

coming months, I will also author a chapter focused on leadership efficacy in the adjoining

facilitators guide. This dynamic experience has provided a strong theoretical lens through

which to view my work as programmer and researcher, and directly connect the theories

that I work with in class to my practice.

Throughout all of my experiences in this program I believe that I have gained the

overall knowledge of student affairs to be successful. Through each of my courses I have

learned that while it is important to accept research, it is equally important to challenge it

and find ways to improve what is already available. I have also learned that as a

practitioner or faculty member, we really never stop growing. Through this knowledge I

have been able to develop a plan to continually challenge to develop myself both personally

and professionally.

When thinking about my action plan for continued professional development I am

grounding my plan with the understanding that I am a lifelong learner in every capacity. To

develop myself professionally in the future I will need to challenge myself to constantly

seek out learning opportunities. These opportunities will consist of my interactions with

students, my work with colleagues and my plan to continue on to a doctoral program. For

me, it is essential to recognize that development does not happen strictly within an

academic setting. It happens when we fail, when we succeed and everywhere in between.

Another piece of my action plan for professional development is to remain invested in the

relationships that I have with my mentors that I have gained throughout this program and

recognize that every experience is an opportunity to professionally develop. Finally, I also

plan on remaining an active member of the American College Personnel Association in

order to ensure that I am surrounding myself with a diverse set of professionals and

friends within the field. As I change and grow, this action plan will change and grow with

me. Professional development is not just a plan; it is a promise to the field and myself.