Lisa Rogers ePortfolio Analysis and Action Plan

The field of higher education requires a certain set of knowledge, skills, and

competencies. After participating in this program, my assistantship, and my internships, I

feel more that adequately prepared to enter the field. Throughout my time at Loyola

University Chicago, I have gained knowledge and skills in cultural competence, student

development theory, research and assessment, leadership theories, enrollment

management, and organizational theories. These courses have provided me with extensive

knowledge that I will continue to apply as I enter a professional position.

I believe that my two strongest skills set are in self-reflection as it relates to social

justice and diversity as well as in counseling skills. As is noted throughout my ePortfolio, I

spent a lot of time during this program reflecting on my identities and how they influence

the work that I do on a day-to-day basis. The reflection I bring to my work allows me to be

more aware of how identities shape professional work environments. I look forward to the

opportunity to engage students in conversations around topics of social justice. I also bring

counseling skills to my role as a student affairs practitioner. Having studied social work

during my undergraduate studies, I came into this program with foundational skills and

knowledge about counseling theory and techniques. This program has given me the

opportunity to practice and refine those skills. I found that I have a skillset for building

rapport and getting to know students regardless of the circumstances under which we are

meeting. These are the skills and knowledge that I am most excited to bring to the field.

As for professional development, I feel that while I am in graduate school I often rely

on our classes or institution to provide those opportunities. That being said, I look forward

to pursuing professional development that is of my own choosing. Throughout my time

here, I have been stockpiling a number of articles and jotting down names of books that

Lisa Rogers ePortfolio Analysis and Action Plan

others have said I must read. It is my desire and hope that I will be able to incorporate

professional reading into my regular schedule so that I am continuing to be up to date on

what is happening in the field. I would also like to do additional reading so that I can

incorporate it into my work with and training of student staff.

Finally, I will seek out formal professional development opportunities, including

departmental and divisional opportunities to engage in topics of importance to the field of

higher education. I will also continue to attend as many conferences as I can. I have been a

member of NASPA for three years and though I have attended conferences, I have not been

as involved in the regional branches of the organizational. I would like this to change once I

graduate and enter into my first professional job. I have always found tremendous value in

networking at these conferences and would like to increase my involvement on campus

and beyond. I also foresee that much of my professional development will come from my

peers in this program right now. I anticipate that I will be calling them when I have a

question or need advice and I know they would be happy to help, just as I would be. I built

incredible relationships with people in this program and know that they will continue to be

a support system on which I can rely.