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 myself and the field.