Professional Development
Education Adminstration
Graduate Assistant
Overall the HALE Program has contributed to my professional growth through coursework. However, my graduate assistantship in the HALE department along with my involvement in the HALE Master's Student Association created several opportunities for me to improve in the areas of administration and program development.
I was very fortunate to work in the HALE Department alongside Dr. MaryLee Davis, a woman on great talent and charm. Co-authoring an article of the benefits of service was one my first assignments. The research project combined two of my most passionate topics, service learning and diversity. Researching appropriate student development theories and drafting the introduction were two of my most significant contributions to the team. Although I have improved in my writing ability, I did not know that I would share the by-line with other members of the research team. I was so excited when I read my words in the final draft.
Serving as an Ambassador of the Program was another critical area of my assistantship. I met with prospective students to answer their questions about the Program and also to provide a student's prospective. Honestly, I was shocked at the continuous flow of requests for appointments. During these meetings, I recognized our department's need to express more clarity in the Program's goals. Many students were interested in the curriculum, but they did not have a clear understanding of the Program's goals and missions. Our program offers a lot of flexibility which may be attractive for students like myself. I think having success stories of alumni will help prospective students have a better sense of the possibilities associated with the HALE Program. Working on this narrative is one of my aspirations for the assistantship, but as always there are more pressing events such as the upcoming Leadership Forum. Working in the department created a safe space for me, which I am very grateful.
HALE Master's Student Association (HMSA)
Director of Professional Development
The ability to transform and grow to a great leader is one quality of professional development that attracts me to the field. During my first year in the Program, my colleagues recognized the need to develop a formal community in order to build relationships among first and second year students. This idea evolved into the HALE Master Student Association; I serve as the Director of Professional Development for the organization. In my role, I developed our first Brown Bag Luncheon with guest speaker Dr. Lew Dotterer, an alumni of the Program. Dr. Dotterer's speech on finding adult learning opportunities in the corporate context gave students a better sense of direction regarding how to match their degrees to job opportunities.
As I think about my role in this organization, I am proud to be a member of the founding group. On the hand, I regret not having sponsored several professional development activities. Perhaps, the lack of time was the ultimate barrier in this process. With that being said, I hope the new E-Board will be able to propose projects ahead of time before the semester gets hectic. My hope is that HMSA will continue to develop and be perceived as a resource for students. Currently. the majority of HMSA's participation derives from members of the second-year cohort. In order for more students to appreciate the organization, participation has to increase. The organization is a great resource to the Program because it adds to the community perspective. I enjoy gathering with my classmates outside of the learning environment, to just relax because it strengthens our bonds and increases the likelihood that will remain in contact.
Graduate Assistant
Overall the HALE Program has contributed to my professional growth through coursework. However, my graduate assistantship in the HALE department along with my involvement in the HALE Master's Student Association created several opportunities for me to improve in the areas of administration and program development.
I was very fortunate to work in the HALE Department alongside Dr. MaryLee Davis, a woman on great talent and charm. Co-authoring an article of the benefits of service was one my first assignments. The research project combined two of my most passionate topics, service learning and diversity. Researching appropriate student development theories and drafting the introduction were two of my most significant contributions to the team. Although I have improved in my writing ability, I did not know that I would share the by-line with other members of the research team. I was so excited when I read my words in the final draft.
Serving as an Ambassador of the Program was another critical area of my assistantship. I met with prospective students to answer their questions about the Program and also to provide a student's prospective. Honestly, I was shocked at the continuous flow of requests for appointments. During these meetings, I recognized our department's need to express more clarity in the Program's goals. Many students were interested in the curriculum, but they did not have a clear understanding of the Program's goals and missions. Our program offers a lot of flexibility which may be attractive for students like myself. I think having success stories of alumni will help prospective students have a better sense of the possibilities associated with the HALE Program. Working on this narrative is one of my aspirations for the assistantship, but as always there are more pressing events such as the upcoming Leadership Forum. Working in the department created a safe space for me, which I am very grateful.
HALE Master's Student Association (HMSA)
Director of Professional Development
The ability to transform and grow to a great leader is one quality of professional development that attracts me to the field. During my first year in the Program, my colleagues recognized the need to develop a formal community in order to build relationships among first and second year students. This idea evolved into the HALE Master Student Association; I serve as the Director of Professional Development for the organization. In my role, I developed our first Brown Bag Luncheon with guest speaker Dr. Lew Dotterer, an alumni of the Program. Dr. Dotterer's speech on finding adult learning opportunities in the corporate context gave students a better sense of direction regarding how to match their degrees to job opportunities.
As I think about my role in this organization, I am proud to be a member of the founding group. On the hand, I regret not having sponsored several professional development activities. Perhaps, the lack of time was the ultimate barrier in this process. With that being said, I hope the new E-Board will be able to propose projects ahead of time before the semester gets hectic. My hope is that HMSA will continue to develop and be perceived as a resource for students. Currently. the majority of HMSA's participation derives from members of the second-year cohort. In order for more students to appreciate the organization, participation has to increase. The organization is a great resource to the Program because it adds to the community perspective. I enjoy gathering with my classmates outside of the learning environment, to just relax because it strengthens our bonds and increases the likelihood that will remain in contact.