SDA Portfolio 2019  

Student Self-Assessment 
 
 
To be completed AFTER your portfolio presentation.  
Submit hard copy to Genet Yadetta within 1 week of your portfolio presentation: April Presentation: Due May 3 @ 
12:00pm 
  May Presentation: Due May 17 
@12:00pm 
 
 
Name of Student: ​Bianca Galam   
  
 
Name of Chair: ​Joanna Davis-Royce 
 
Date: ​April 30, 2019 
  

Overall, including both the portfolio and the portfolio conversation, how well do
you feel you demonstrated accomplishment of the SDA program’s learning
outcomes:

Complete Accomplishment 5 ​4​ 3 2 1 Minimal

Accomplishment

Comments:

Overall, my portfolio conversation went well. I believe that I effectively shared my

narrative and provided evidence of my accomplishment of the SDA learning outcomes.
There were some artifacts and learning outcomes that I did not elaborate on as much as
I had originally intended to, but my presentation was strong in other ways.

Please also complete the assessment of specific learning outcomes on the

reverse side.

1
   ■​ ​Exemplary  ■​Advanced  ■​Clear/Direct  ■​Some  ■​ Inadequate 
  illustration of   illustration of   illustration of  illustration of the   illustration of the 
Quality of the Narrative  the outcome  the outcome  the outcome  outcome  outcome 
Learning Outcome   
■​Exemplary  ■​Advanced  ■​Deep/Critical  ■​Obvious/Appare ■​ Inadequate 
reflection  reflection  reflection  nt​ reflection  reflection 
     
​■​Exemplary  ​■​Advanced  ​■​ S
​ trong  ■​Some​ synthesis  ■​Limited 
synthesis of  synthesis of  synthesis of  of curricular and  synthesis of 
curricular and  curricular and  curricular and  co-curricular  curricular and 
co-curricular  co-curricular  co-curricular  experiences  co-curricular 
experiences  experiences  experiences    experiences 
     
■​ ​Exemplary  ■​ ​Advanced​ style,  ■​ ​Strong​ style,  ■​ ​Inconsistent 
style, structure and  structure and  structure and  style, structure and  ■​ ​Inadequate 
organization of  organization of  organization of  organization of  style, structure and 
narrative  narrative  narrative  narrative   organization of 
narrative 
SDA Outcome #1​:  
Understanding the
foundations and
emerging nature of the 5 4 3  2  1 
Student Affairs profession
and higher education

SDA Outcome #2: 

Understanding students
and student issues 5 4 3  2  1 
 
SDA Outcome #3​: 
Exhibiting professional
integrity and ethical
leadership in professional 5 4 3  2  1 
practice
 
SDA Outcome #4​: 
Understanding and
fostering diversity, justice
and a sustainable world
formed by a global 5 4 3  2  1 
perspective and Jesuit
Catholic tradition
 
SDA Outcome #5​: 
Adapting student services
to specific environments
and cultures 5 4 3  2  1 
 
SDA Outcome #6​: 
Developing and
demonstrating skills
in leadership and 5 4 3  2  1 
collaboration
 
SDA Outcome #7​: 
Utilizing assessment,
evaluation, technology,
and research to improve 5 4 3  2  1 
practice
 
SDA Outcome #8​: 
Communicating effectivel
y in speech and in writing 5 4 3  2  1 
 
SDA Outcome #9​: 

2
Understanding issues
surrounding law, policy,
5 4 3  2  1 
finance and governance,
and
 
SDA Outcome #10​: 
Establishing and
5 4 3  2  1 
enhancing professional
identity.
 

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 Reflection

The portfolio process has been a time of deeper reflection and critical self-analysis in

regards to my readiness and growth as a student affairs practitioner. I am proud of the strengths

and areas of growth I identified and articulated, both in my learning outcome narratives and in

my portfolio presentation. It was an intensive process to complete my portfolio, however, I am

grateful for the opportunity to tap into my creative side and the reflective state it allowed me to

be in as I prepare for my job search. Engaging with the portfolio process also taught me a few

lessons along the way.

The first thing I learned from this process was the necessity to manage my time well. I

chose to take SDAD 5900 during the fall quarter, which provided me time and space to work on

my portfolio and complete half of it prior to winter break. I had all of winter break and the

beginning of winter quarter to continue working on my website, compiling artifacts, and writing

my learning outcomes; however, it was challenging to do that with two classes, a very busy

season in my graduate assistantship, and another part-time job. My ability to advocate and

prioritize for myself was tested. I had to set new boundaries for myself, such as setting time

limits for each task so that I could continue move each assignment/project along.

Another lesson that I learned, with the feedback from my portfolio committee, was that

storytelling is both effective and a large part of my professional identity. I identified storytelling

as a part of my cultural capital in several courses throughout the SDA program, but I questioned

how I could integrate that into my work. Through the reflection that came along with the

portfolio process, I was able to see how stories help me to learn from others. Furthermore, I saw

how I share narratives in order to uplift the student voice and bring them to the forefront. This is

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something I always strive to do, and the committee’s affirmation allowed me to recognize this

strength I possess.

The final lesson I learned from the portfolio process is that I need to find a way to express

my confidence in a way that is authentic to me. My identities as an Asian-American, a Catholic,

and a woman have influenced the way I think humility should be expressed; and unfortunately,

that often comes off as having a lack of confidence. This has been my experience in my job

search and interview process as well. I know that I often produce great work and results, but I

quickly dismiss it with self-deprecating comments. Upon reflection and feedback from my

committee, I will begin to express the confidence I have in myself as an educator and student

affairs practitioner when appropriate and with humility.

Overall, I am thankful for this portfolio process and proud of the work I shared with my

committee and the SDA community. The support and challenge I received from everyone was

what I needed to reflect on and share my narrative about my time in the SDA program. I am

looking forward to taking all of these lessons with me as I continue my work as an educator.