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ARP 610: Educational Leadership

Artifact of Learning
Danny Oliveira
San Diego State University

ARP 610 - ARTIFACT OF LEARNING

The course assignment that I chose to demonstrate my learning in
this course was the Observation and Analysis of Postsecondary
Educational Leadership. This was an interview and observation of a
postsecondary educational leader and the leadership style and
approach to leadership that they employ throughout their workday. I
observed how this leader uses the cognitive organizational lenses that
were introduced in our coursework in a variety of ways as she adapts
to various contexts. I also observed her application of leadership
theory and concepts discussed in our readings and class discussions.
I selected this particular artifact because it demonstrates all but
one of the course learning outcomes. It was a valuable experience to
observe a professional in a leadership position that I aspire to in the
future. I enjoyed the opportunity to observe the application of
concepts learned in the course and how leadership styles and
frameworks vary according to context and situations.
The following course learning outcomes and Program Learning
Outcomes (PLOs) were demonstrated in this assignment: 1)
Identification of effective leadership and related practices in
postsecondary education. This leaders flexibility and ability to adapt
her leadership approach to various contexts and individuals whom she
supervises was a clear demonstration of effective leadership (PLO 4).
2) Articulation of basic principles and assumptions of current and
emerging leadership theories and frameworks. This leader most

ARP 610 - ARTIFACT OF LEARNING

clearly demonstrated the Human Resources framework (Bolman &
Deal, 2008) and Team Leadership approach (Northouse, 2013) in the
two days in which I observed and shadowed her (PLO 1, 9). 3)
Differentiation of leadership and management was demonstrated in
her differentiated approach with her professional staff and student
assistants. She empowers her staff to work autonomously to promote
their own growth and development while providing more of a
structured approach for her student assistants as a means to provide
guidance and support in their learning and empowerment (PLO 4). 4)
Application of leadership theories, frameworks, and concepts to
educational and professional contexts. The opportunity to observe this
leader in action in the various ways that she applies her leadership
style and approach in different contexts was very effective for my
learning and understanding of these concepts, theories, and
frameworks (PLO 4, 9). 5) Demonstration of effective self-reflection
and observation. Shadowing this professional over two days was not
only a powerful demonstration of effective leadership, it challenged me
to reflect on my own leadership skills, strengths, and areas for
continued growth as I move toward my own opportunities to apply
effective leadership practices. (PLO 5)
This artifact enabled me to connect to my personal goal of being
committed and fully engaged in my education and personal growth.
My observations of an effective professional in a leadership role

ARP 610 - ARTIFACT OF LEARNING

deepened my commitment to a career in Student Affairs and in being
truly engaged in my learning and development. Her demonstration of
the empowerment of her staff and students with whom she interacts
was a powerful reminder of why I have returned to a career in higher
education.
This artifact also connected to my professional goal of gaining
experience in other areas of student affairs outside of my prior
experience in fraternity and sorority life. I am most interested in
working with first generation and underrepresented students in my
next career and this assignment provided an opportunity to observe
and interact with staff in the EOP and Ethnic Affairs department of
SDSU.
I have no recommendations to improve this course. I
appreciated the collaborative approach of the instructor and teaching
assistant. They were extremely effective as facilitators of class
discussions, which clarified and personalized the concepts discussed
each week.