Using theory in practice

As an educator and student affairs professional my job is to help students succeed, by helping them engage in critical thinking and learning, inside and outside the classroom. In my short student affairs career I have noticed that every university is different, with different culture(s), mission, traditions, policies, procedures, regulations, research topics, leadership positions, educational curriculum, and students.

Every student is different. They came from different backgrounds and cultures, they have different traditions, talents, skills, concerns, challenges, and other students have similar interests. Without students there would be no need for institutions. Students are the energy and the power of the campus' life and culture.

Is my belief that every educational institution, should and must, challenged their students academically and prepared them for success in their studies, and for their participation in 'real life,' employment and global environments.

Unrepresentative-students can faced more challenges than the traditional-students. Unrepresentative-students are more likely to face different types of oppression or marginalization because of their social identities. A homosexual student is more likely to be targeted than a heterosexual student, because we live in a predominately heterosexual space. Latinos or African American students (students of color) are more likely to be marginalized than Caucasian students in a predominately white institution. A student in a wheel chair will face more challenges than a student with the ability to walk.

It is important to understand that everyone is different. Everyone has different challenges and different needs.

In the student affairs master's program, Iowa State University, I was prepared to work with individuals at different levels by using theory to practice, and practice to theory. A theory that woks for one individual may not be helpful to others. As a student affairs professional I am capable of developing alternative interventions to provide various forms of support to individuals at different stages of their development as person, student, scholar, or leader.