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

or as a professional in higher education. Throughout my time at Loyola University

Chicago, I have learned key competencies, skills and I 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 as
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 to directly connect the theories that I work with in class to my everyday 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 to the field.