Running head: LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: AREAS FOR GROWTH 1

Learning Outcome Narrative: Areas for Growth

Bopharuth Cheng
SDA Portfolio
April 2014



NOTE: This word count does not include the appendix attached at the end of this document.
(Word Count= 936)



LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: AREAS FOR GROWTH 2
The purpose of this narrative is to address areas for growth in one macro-theme with
supporting evidence from my SDA Learning Outcomes (LOs). I chose an overarching theme that
represents my developing qualities as a leader but also addresses my flaws and need for
improvement. I need to further practice and enhance leadership development in order step into
campus leadership roles. This is important to me because I want to be in a position to create
change and support opportunities that I did not have as a child or in my undergraduate
experience. Equally important, Student Affairs (SA) a profession that I find rewarding and
fulfills a lifestyle experience that I want for my family and for myself.
This narrative will serve as a proposal of how I can improve my practice in areas of
growth according to the LOs. In the next sections, I will outline dimensions of areas of growth
and key elements of why they are important. These dimensions were pulled from the LOs
established by the Student Development Administration Program.

Learning Outcome Dimensions
I recognize three dimensions that support my general improvement in leadership
development; these three dimensions are: 1) leading authentically, 2) learning organizations
and 3) change and influence. The LOs that are most relevant to my growth are listed below (see
Appendix A for a chart of these LOs and additional key elements supporting each LO):
1. LO#6 Developing and demonstrating skills in leadership and collaboration
2. LO#7 Utilizing assessment, evaluation, technology, and research to improve practice
3. LO#10 Establishing and enhancing professional identity
To me, leading authentically means to lead from a place from within, where passion and
conviction are balanced in leadership styles. LO#6 speaks directly to this dimension; I found
LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: AREAS FOR GROWTH 3
four key elements crucial to leadership development. These key elements are: balancing different
leadership styles with different audiences and knowing time, place and manner; collaborating
effectively by regular communication, community building and practicing authenticity; knowing
thyself by being self-aware and in control of individual feelings, biases and trigger points and
practicing patience, compassion, understanding and care. Artifacts F2 and G demonstrates my
limited professional understanding of LO#6. In my work at South Seattle Community College
(SSCC), I have demonstrated some level of leadership development through collaborative
projects. However, I developed an understanding of this LO through coursework in the SDA
program. I learned different leadership frameworks from EDAD 570, such as those by Bolman
and Gallos (2011): structural, political, symbolic and human resources. My leadership
philosophy paper from EDAD 570 also helped me reflect on leadership qualities like
collaboration, self-awareness and practicing compassion in leadership.
I briefly learned about learning organizations in two courses, EDUC 513 and PUBM
585. I believe this dimension will support my ability to lead effectively and contribute to
reflective practice, which is a hallmark of my Jesuit education. Although concepts of learning
organizations are presented in several SDA courses, these theories have not been central in my
SDA content. The LO that directly supports learning organizations is LO#7, key elements from
this LO are: knowing how to read, interpret and disseminate data appropriately and efficiently;
using data as a tool to improve practice while being aware of limitations and/or unique
situations; and recognizing and understanding inter-divisional sensitivity of assessment,
evaluation and research (AER). Artifacts F2 and G demonstrates my curiosity for AER and this
reflective practice is important in developing a positive learning environment.
LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: AREAS FOR GROWTH 4
Finally, change and influence in as an area of growth that is supported by LO#10. Key
elements from this LO that shape my understanding of leadership development are: building
professional networks and partnerships; knowing core foundations of work, values and mission;
maintaining healthy work-life balance. In order for me to create change and influence, I have to
establish a professional identity that is balanced and representative of who I am which connects
back to LO#6. Artifacts A, B, and H demonstrates my current competency and understanding
of my professional identity including accomplishments and work experience that have
contributed to my professional success. Artifact I speaks to actions steps that I will take in the
next five years to become a future change agent on campus and is relevant to my leadership
development.
Demonstration of Development in Learning
Past, Present and Future. Prior to entering the SDA program, I was at a crossroads in my
professional development. I struggled to find self-confidence in my work and to develop a
healthy balance between my professional and personal life. I relied on the governance of systems
and the leadership of my superiors to make decisions for me. I used data and statistics with very
little understanding of how these nuggets of gold can cause hiatus in a certain environment and
my actions were mainly informed by my unrefined worldview. While this may sound like I am
being harsh on myself, it is an honest and deep reflection on my learning and how I have
changed during my time in the SDA program.
Now, I understand the need for personal leadership development regardless of what role
you hold in an institution. I recognize that leadership skills can be demonstrated by anyone, even
a child acting with care and compassion. Previously, my idea of leadership mainly conjured
LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: AREAS FOR GROWTH 5
positions of authority and political figures. Now, my idea of leadership encompasses symbolic,
transformative, political and structural qualities. I see myself as a leader.
In the future, I hope to develop my leadership skills in a humble and elevating manner. I
want to integrate the themes of leading, learning and changing into my career. I will do this by
following my action steps in Artifact I.







LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: AREAS FOR GROWTH 6
Appendix A
SDA Portfolio Learning Outcomes Integrative Theme: Areas For Improvement
Learning Outcome Dimensions for
Leadership development

1) Leading Authentically (with Passion and Conviction)
2) Learning Organizations
3) Change and Influence

PUBM 585

SDA LO

(3) Key Dimensions Additional Seminal
Content
LO#6 Developing and
demonstrating skills in
leadership and collaboration

1. Balance different
leadership styles with
different audiences;
know place, time and
manner
2. Collaborate effectively
by regular
communication,
community building
and practicing
authenticity
3. Know Thyself; being
self-aware and in
control of individual
feelings, biases and
trigger points
4. Practice patience,
compassion,
understanding and care
Bolman & Gallos
(2001) Four
Frameworks of
Leadership
Artifacts:
F2 & G

Reference(s):
SDAD 570, Leadership
Philosophy

LO#7 Utilizing assessment,
evaluation, technology, and
research to improve practice

1. Know how to read,
interpret and
disseminate data
appropriately and
efficiently
2. Use data as a tool to

LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: AREAS FOR GROWTH 7
Artifacts:
F2 & G

References:
EDUC 500

improve practice but
know be aware of
limitations and/or
unique situations
3. Recognize and
understand inter-
divisional sensitivity of
AER (politics of data)
LO#10 Establishing and
enhancing professional
identity

1. Build professional
networks and
partnerships
2. Know core foundations
of work, values and
mission
3. Maintain healthy
work-life balance

Artifacts:
A1, A2, B1, B2, C3, H, I, & J

References:
EDAD 570



LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: AREAS FOR GROWTH 8
References
Bolman, L.G., & Gallos, J.V. (2011). Reframing academic leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-
Bass.
Cheng, B. (April 2014). SDA portfolio | bopha cheng. Retrieved from
www.bophacheng.weebly.com.