Dear Committee Members,

 

These past three years during my time in the SDA program have been monumental in my professional and personal growth and I truly cannot believe my time in the program has come to an end. My first introduction to the world of student affairs was in course SDAD 5300: Foundations of the Student Affairs Profession. I remember being so nervous as I took my seat on the first day of class, not knowing what to expect for my first graduate level course. This course is where my identity as a student affairs professional came into fruition. Having the ability to engage in critical reflection and examination about the values I possess and exploring the inequities within institutional systems of oppression provided a foundation for my mission as an educator.

 

In addition to SDAD 5300: Foundations of the Student Affairs Profession, course SDAD 5910: Diversity & Inclusion in Higher Education taught by Dr. Paige Gardner played a significant role in my transformation as a student affairs practitioner. Dr. Gardner has been such a force in my academic and professional journey and her authenticity, wisdom, and ability to build community within our class was such a joyful and rewarding experience. In this course, Dr. Paige challenged me to really think critically about how my salient identities as a Black woman inform my best practices within an institutional context and introduced to me this whole idea of “positionality” through having to develop my own positionality statement. This exercise was a pivotal moment in my SDA journey because of having to dig deep and think about how my salient identities, characteristics, life experiences, and core values serve as my personal investment to equitable and inclusive practices as a practitioner. 

 

My time in the SDA program has shown me the importance of vulnerability and how it is a key contributor to building your community and network of supporters. Once you acknowledge that you are worthy and deserving of love and belonging in your community, it is easier to open up and be in a space to receive these friendships and make meaningful connections. I have also learned the importance of radical self-care and self-compassion and what that looks like as a student affairs practitioner. We simply cannot pour from an empty cup and we must allow ourselves the grace and space to heal, grieve, and love ourselves holistically and unapologetically. 

The Jesuit education I have received is centered on educating the whole and that is something that I will carry with me forever. This idea of cura personalis emphasizes the importance of not only caring for the whole person but doing so from a place of genuine love and compassion. My passion for inclusive and equitable education best practices and aspiration of leading with love and compassion drive my purpose within higher education. You each have provided so much support and love throughout my SDA journey and I am incredibly grateful for your words of affirmation, encouragement, and wisdom.

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Sincerely,