Leaving

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

professional in higher education. Throughout my time at Loyola University Chicago, I have

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