Why a Student Affairs Degree
Growing up, college was always the end goal set for my brother and I. College was not an option for us, it was inevitable. My mother wanted us to further our education so we could become successful in life. Going into college, I was only interested in doing what I had to do to appease my mother. I attended college to reach the goals and meet the expectations my mother had already made for myself.
Prior to coming to Fredonia, I was oblivious to my race and what people’s perception of me was based on that. Racism was not a huge concern of mine because I did not
overtly experience it until coming to college. Going to a predominantly white institution though, I quickly received a reality check and noticed all of the subtle forms of racism in microaggressions paired with blatant racism.Because I was so
determined to make my mom proud, I struggled on my own and had no interest in opening up and talking with others. I felt isolated and alone during my first semester at Fredonia. I did not form any new bonds or friendships in my residence hall because there was a lack of representation for people who I can identify with. I did not feel comfortable confiding information about the racism and microaggressions I faced daily to any of the resident assistants or even the residence director because
they were white. I felt as though they would not understand the problems I was facing.
It wasn't until I joined the Black Student Union eboard on campus when I finally realized that other students were also facing the same problems I faced. I noticed that many students would come to us to vent and confide in us the problems they were going through. I knew that every black student on campus did not come to us to vent and I thought of ways to reach out to more students. I decided that I wanted to make a change at Fredonia and change the demographics of its residence life to reach out to more students of color. Being a male of color at a mid-sized predominantly white institution, I noticed that faculty and staff representation for people who resemble me was inadequate. Knowing firsthand, how hard it was to navigate through Fredonia as a student of color, I decided to apply to the resident assistant position to have more access to students of color.
The resident assistant job changed my life! The resident assistant job provided me with a plethora of transferable skills and knowledge that I can implement and use anywhere. I became passionate for serving as a resource and confidant for all students in my residence hall. Although I fell in love with the resident assistant job, I did not have any interest in pursuing a degree in Higher Education. I had plans on graduating and just working as a photographer. It wasn't until I met Jackie Akins, a current student in the HESAA program, who pushed me and believed in me. Jackie served as a mentor and helped me develop my resume and professional identity. Jackie and Eann Robinson, a recent graduate of the HESAA program, talked to me about the program and encouraged me to apply. Buffalo State HESAA program was the only program that I applied to and I know that it was meant to be. I love the program and I know that I am here for a reason.
My Goals For The Next Few Years
My goals for the next few years is to find my purpose. I know that I was admitted into the HESAA program for a reason. It is not by chance that I am where I am currently in my life. I know that God has a plan for my life and I want to fulfill whatever it is that he has planned for me. In the meantime, I plan to develop as a professional and strive to become a better version of myself. I would like to continue to serve as a mentor and inspiration for students of color who have similar backstories as me. I want to be able to express the importance of college to Black students and be an embodiment of persistence despite the circumstances and hardships that were in my way.
I would also like to step out of my comfort zone and network with other professionals and paraprofessionals. I think making meaningful connections is a crucial thing that can help me in my career. A lot of my colleagues encourage me to network and find connections but no one ever properly teaches you how to do it. So another goal of mine is to learn how to network. Furthermore, I would like to develop my proficiency in all competency areas given by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). I believe that in doing so, I will become a more well rounded and knowledgeable professional.
Another goal I would like to achieve is to find a way to use my photography skills and incorporate it into higher education in some way. Paired with that, I would also like to travel the world and photograph different countries. Photography is my passion and I would love to explore the different things I can do with it.
Life Long Learning
We are educators as well as learners. Learning does not stop for student affairs professionals. It is hard to be working in a learning environment without learning something yourself. Understanding that student affairs is student centered and that students are developing and experiencing life, it is important that professionals learn alongside the students. Student Affairs is such a great filed to work in because there is something to be learned everyday. I feel as though no one working in student affairs should be complacent or stagnant in their growth because everyday truly serves as a new day to learn something you didn't know before. I think growing pains may be something that student affairs professionals may go through. Referencing Ardoin (2014), lifelong learning isn't always fun. There may be decisions that we have made that may not have resulted in a desirable outcome but finding the silver lining in every situation can be something that I can use in my line of work. I know that I am not perfect and with that understanding, I can be more open to failure and messing up, knowing that in the back of my mind, there is something to learn from it. Ardoin (2014) states that risk, failure are necessary for lifelong learning.
Comments