Running head: LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: IMPLICATIONS

Learning Outcome Narrative: Implications for Professional Practice Catie Holker Seattle University

LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: IMPLICATIONS Implications for Professional Practice (LOs # 3, 7; Artifacts A2, B, D, G, H, I, J)

The integrative, macro theme of my implications for professional practice in the 10 SDA Learning Outcomes is intentionality. This is apparent in two dimensions including assessment implementation and active leadership. As mentioned in my strengths and areas for development narratives, I am called to be an advisor and mentor to students. The theme of intentionality is important to me both personally and professionally because I strive for a career with purpose, which requires both vulnerability and active participation in my life and my work. LO Dimensions: Implications for Professional Practice Assessment Implementation While searching for jobs at nonprofit organizations, I learned that attention to detail and familiarity with data is important in order to report data that sustains their funding. Assessment, research, and evaluation have never been strengths of mine, but the SDA program taught me effective assessment implementation and how to use information. For example, I applied lessons from the Assessment Certification Program to help my teammates re-write the mission and goals of the International Student Center at SU (J). I also learned the importance of learning from and collaborating with other organizations or universities in the region through participating in the out-of-region Best Practices in Student Affairs course (SDAD 575). In my current independent study with Summer Search (SDAD 596) Im applying best practices in career exploration programs to their current service and generating a report of suggestions for program revisions. Active Leadership Being an active leader not only involves authentically speaking up in a group, it also entails knowing myself well enough to make environmental changes when necessary. As my resume reflects (A2), Ive had numerous and varying work experiences throughout my time in

LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: IMPLICATIONS

the SDA program. It was the influence of empowering leadership (EDAD 570 Leadership in Education I) and learning how to be the author of my own life (Baxter-Magoldas theory of selfauthorship Adams et al., p. 186; SDAD 578 Student Development Theory, Research, and Practice) that I finally stopped letting myself remain in toxic environments out of fear of change. Demonstration of Development in LOs Past Before the SDA program, I would not have called myself a leader, nonetheless one who practices with integrity, mostly because I didnt fully understand the meaning of the word (LO #3). Since I didnt take a break between my undergraduate education and graduate schooling, I didnt have the opportunity to apply myself in full-time, professional practice. This means I also didnt have the opportunity to utilize assessment, evaluation, technology, and research to improve my work (LO #7). I assumed that I would never take on a leadership role, and wasnt even sure about which area in student affairs I was going to pursue when I step foot at SU for the first time. Present The SDA program opened my eyes to a new definition of leadership, one that can empower and encourage any individual to be a leader (LO #3). EDAD 570 Leadership in Education I taught me there is more than one type of leadership and how I can use my personality and skills to be a leader in my job and my community. Something I synthesized from Parks (2005) is that the main purpose of leadership is to help people make sense of a complex and ambiguous world that is constantly changing and growing. This is important to me because in this society knowledge is power, and my vocational goal is to contribute to that spread of knowledge and social capital in both my work and the community that I reside.

LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: IMPLICATIONS

Over the course of this program, I have done more research than Im comfortable with, however I have come to value its implications for growth and professional development (LO #7). I believe that I currently take full advantage of technology in my practice, but I should learn to incorporate more assessment and evaluation in what I do. Future Personally, I can continue to grow as an individual by learning more about myself as a leader and employee in this field. I can do this by drawing upon my strength of introspection and community to keep myself in check of progress and values. Professionally I can grow by being more conscious of assessment, research, and evaluation in order to more quickly improve my practice and skills in student affairs and higher education. I can do this by finding ways to collaborate on data and assessment projects with coworkers or peers.

LEARNING OUTCOME NARRATIVE: IMPLICATIONS References

Parks, S. (2005). Leadership can be taught: A bold approach for a complex world. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation