Standard 1: I believe this program has prepared me to be a competent and knowledgeable educational leader who can define and

demonstrate the theoretical and practical foundational basis of informed, ethical leadership behavior in a diverse and complex secondary institution. The most influential concept I have learned would be the concept of Educational Attainment. The way Educational Attainment was taught went beyond, who receives education, but explored the best way education is obtained. The Contemporary College Student Class required us to explore what affects student learning. I was able to use this concept in other classes and in my practicum. Looking at factors, such as a students financial situation, family background, living situation, and other things can help student affairs professionals to guide students in more of a case by case way. I achieved this standard by being able to implement this concept outside of the classroom. As the Health Education and Promotion Graduate Assistant I was able to work with a diverse group of student employees, tailoring their schedules to help them balance their school workload with their office workload. Building a relationship with the students allowed me to provide the number one factor in reaching Educational Attainment, comfort. When my students faced needed me I was there for them. There were situations I encountered during my time as a Graduate Assistant that were not ideal, but knowing that environment strongly affects Educational Attainment, I chose to lead by example and maintain a stable environment for the students I was leading. Standard 2: Upon completion of the program I feel confident in my ability to facilitate positive and effective instructional programs incorporating the rights and varied needs of all students in a diverse and complex post-secondary school. Throughout this program I was challenged in this area because I had to remove the lens of a Black Woman. I realized early in the program my responses to discussion post, the topics I chose to research, and my responses in class were based on my experiences as a Black woman. A lot of the programs I planned for various student organizations I am in, along with programs I planned for my job catered to a particular group of students, primarily African American Females. My Educational Research Class required that I work in a group that was extremely diverse to create a research proposal. The group consisted of a Middle Class, White, Female; a Middle Class, Asian, Female international student; a Lower Middle Class, Homosexual, African American, Male; and myself, a Lower Middle Class Black Woman. Our project was about first generation college students and our varying opinions and backgrounds caused much conflict. There was so much conflict that our professor commented on our group discussion board. This project forced me to see that my view is not the only view and that just because my view is different it isnt necessarily wrong, but I cannot automatically disregard the views of others as unrealistic. Since Taking this Class I have been able to create programs and advertisement more inviting to all types of students. I have been sure to look for a diverse group of speakers, and if music is involved to play a wide variety. I also take into consideration accessibility to the event, and things such as food allergies when planning programs.

Standard 3: Completing the Higher Education Program I am competent and knowledgeable in implementing policies that promote research, scholarship, professional development, and technology utilization as appropriate in diverse and complex post- secondary institutions. The Instructional Technology class was specifically geared towards incorporating technology into the classroom. Though a lot of the lessons I developed in that class were for k-12 students the class required that students be knowledgeable about implementing technology in a way that could be used by all students. The Assistive Technology section of the class particularly dealt with using technology to work with students with disabilities. As a higher education professional, the ability to interact with all students is important, knowing the tools available to do so make you more effective in your position. I also believe that having information on assistive technology can help professors plan lessons for students who may not be capable of sitting in a traditional college classroom setting. With a good deal of coursework being online professionalism and scholarship can be challenging to maintain. There were discussions in the program that required me to maintain internet etiquette, and various projects I had to sure to work citing. With so much information at my fingertips I struggled with knowing what to cite, what was actually my idea, which type of citation to use, etc. I have gotten better with this a result of focusing on APA formatting and maintaining open communication with my professors throughout the program. Standard 4: This program has equipped me with the skills to effectively communicate in both written and verbal forms, to collaborate with the institutions constituents and stakeholders, and to respond to community needs and interest as appropriate in diverse and complex post-secondary institutions. Due to majority of the classes in the program being online, the ability to communicate through writing almost becomes second nature. Verbal communication is fostered through various group activities, and presentations. Working together, group discussions, and the practicum get student s in the habit of working with people that are not in their particular area. With students in the program living in various states and cities, working at different institutions, the ability to respond to various community needs in great because our virtual classrooms provide a wealth of information and a place to share it. In my practicum I was able to work with various campus departments including: Facilities, Counseling, Marketing, Wellness, the Multicultural Student Center, and the University Store. I was able to work with community organizations such as Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault Center, Pineland, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Working with all of these organizations my primary responsibility was to assess their needs, relay to Health Services what was needed, and relay back to the organizations what could be done. I also worked on various committees with these various organizations as the representative from health services to execute programs such as the Did Anybody Say Shot? campaign and Walk A Mile in her Shoes.

Standard 5: As I end this program I have the ability to manage the organization, resources, and operations for the efficiency, and effectiveness of diverse and complex post-secondary institutions. As a graduate assistant and intern I have has the opportunity to work with the Health Services Management Team to plan the new building. Although I did not have access to the official budget., I was able to help design the Health Education and Promotion Office in a cost effective way developing plans that allowed work spaces to double as storage spaces, and eliminating individual bathrooms creating more workspace for student employees. I was also able to calculate insurance adjustments to determine how much money Health Services should receive from the third party insurance contract. In addition I work on a team to decrease the FLU campaign by $20,000 having vaccines purchased by the Health Department rather than Health Services having to pay. I am currently working on Profit and Loss Statements to begin developing a budget for the 2015 HPV campaign. I have worked with various members of the Management Team and I have learned to do procurement, payroll, and other financial transactions in Health Services.

Overall my experience has been beneficial to my professional development. As I began this project I did not realize how much this program has given me. Reflecting on the classes, the practicum, my graduate assistantship, the people I have met, the opportunities I have been afforded are incomparable. I have had the opportunity to serve on the National Executive Board of the National Black Graduate Student Association, to present a workshop at a National Conference, to start a student organization specifically for minority graduate students, and gain confidence in my abilities. I formed relationships with my advisors and teachers that helped me to be successful in this program. There were days that I didnt feel smart enough or prepared enough for the program, but they saw enough in me to encourage me to keep going. My ability to meet the program standards were a result of how the program is set up and having people who care in my corner. The classes all build off each other and they allow the information is useful once you being the practicum. I would recommend this program for any person with a desire to have a career in Higher Education. The online nature of the class can be intimidating, but it prepares you for the virtual world that Higher Education is moving to. This program is ideal for someone who is working in the higher education field already because it allows the information being learned to be used immediately. I have enjoyed my time in the program and I believe that I will be a useful employee no matter where I go.