Professional Development Plan
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Understanding that there are many areas of student affairs that I still need to gain knowledge in and that I still need to work towards developing the knowledge areas I currently claim expertise in, I have set forth a professional development plan for myself that addresses the development of five specific areas to be accomplished over the next three years. Although I am sure this professional development plan will look different depending on the functional area and institution I gain employment, this plan set forth reflects my professional development plan that I would be allowed to progress through in my ideal job.
Leadership Development
Understanding that there are ever-changing trends in leadership development, I have identified this as an area that I would like to be a part of my professional development plan, especially because I hope to secure a position in leadership programs next year. Developing knowledge in this area will keep me updated on leadership trends, which would allow me to create effective, meaningful, and up-to-date programs that promote leadership development of students wherever I am working.
Year One
1. Join the National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs
2. Become an active member of the NASPA Leadership Programs Knowledge Community 3. Attend the Leadership Educators Institute bi-annual conference |
Year Two
1. Maintain membership in the National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs and attend the national leadership symposium
2. Become StrengthsQuest certified 3. Read Leadership for a Better World: Understanding the Social Change Model (Wagner, Ostick & Komives, 2009) 4. Maintain active membership in the NASPA Leadership Programs Knowledge Community |
Year Three
1. Attend and present at the Leadership Educators Institute bi-annual conference on my current work in leadership programs
2. Maintain membership in the National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs 3. Take on a leadership role in the NASPA Leadership Programs Knowledge Community 4. Keep up-to-date with leadership publications, especially from Dugan |
Multicultural Competence
This area of knowledge, multicultural competence, is one that I have decided to include in my professional development plan because of the need to continuously educate myself about the unique experiences had by individuals based on their intersecting identities. Developing knowledge in this area will help me to continuously improve my ability to work with a diverse student body and peers, paying close attention to specific needs and experiences that may influence my decision-making processes.
Year One
1. Attend campus lectures and events that promote development of multicultural competence
2. Join NASPA Knowledge Communities that develop multicultural competence and read materials sent out by them 3. Seek out trainings that deepen understanding of individuals with diverse identities, such as Safe Zone training |
Year Two
1. Read White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son (Wise, 2007)
2. Join campus committee committed to diversity, inclusion, and/or social justice 3. Connect with student organizations focusing on identity 4. Become a facilitator for various trainings on deepening understanding of individuals with diverse identities, such as Safe Zone training |
Year Three
1. Become advisor of a student organization focusing on identity
2. Continue to facilitate various trainings on campus that promote deeper understanding of diverse identities 3. Connect with other professionals at my institution that are committed to social justice and collaborate on committees and programs |
Assessment
With budget cuts becoming more and more common in higher education and student affairs, I have decided to include this area of knowledge in my professional development plan because I would like to use assessment to support the validity of my work. As a professional developing my knowledge in this area may help me secure future funding by having the ability to show administrators how learning outcomes are being met throughout my work.
Year One
1. Work with supervisor to gain a better understanding of assessment tools used in the department
2. Examine current assessment techniques used at the institution and connect with assessment office, if it exists |
Year Two
1. Actively seek out various webinars on assessment methodologies
2. Attend appropriate conference sessions on assessment |
Year Three
1. Work with supervisor to implement new assessment methods based on knowledge gained through webinars and conference sessions in our department
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New Student Programs
Seeing retention between students’ first and second year at an institution as a big issue, developing knowledge in this area may help be create more programs that will help improve retention of students. Professionally, development of this area of knowledge may help inform my practice of creating educational programs geared towards leadership development that will help improve retention and grow students leadership abilities that would enrich the campus community.
Year One
1. Conduct informational interviews with professionals in new student programs to learn more about their work
2. Subscribe to National Orientation Directors Association listserv |
Year Two
1. Gain membership for the National Orientation Directors Association
2. Attend a regional conference for the National Orientation Directors Association |
Year Three
1. Inquire about working with New Student Programs over the summer to help with orientation
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Student Activities
Recognizing my passion for programming, I have decided to include student activities in my professional development plan. By gaining a better understanding of the different and intricate facets of student activities, I would be able to run larger scale events at the intuition I end up employed at that may help with retention, community building, and positively shaping campus culture.
Year One
1. Subscribe to National Association of Campus Activities listserv
2. Conduct informational interviews with professionals in student activities to learn more about their work 3. Attend various events on-campus that allow me to connect with professionals in the office and student leaders that work to plan some of the events |
Year Two
1. Gain membership for the National Association of Campus Activities
2. Seek out opportunities to advise a student organization on campus |
Year Three
1. Attend either a regional or national conference for the National Association of Campus Activities
2. Join planning committees for traditional campus wide events |
Here is the complete knowledge assessment and professional development plan I created that captures the knowledge I have gained throughout my graduate program, the knowledge areas I still need to develop, and the three-year professional development plan outlined above: