I Don't Know What I Don't Know

I don't know much about "Student Affairs" proper. I don't know theories (yet), and I'm just now learning about the historical events and people that have made Student Affairs what it is today. What I do know, is that the person I am today is a product of Student Affairs and I owe much of myself to the profession and the people who compose it.

I know that Student Affairs exists to develop college students into people who will enact change in the world. I know this because as a Community Leader in Martin Hall, Student Affairs professionals and programs taught me what diversity meant, what privilege was, and how to value people no matter who they are.

I know that Student Affairs seeks to empower students to achieve great things. I know this because I had advisors and peer mentors in Freshman Class Council who helped me turn wild program ideas into real events that now form a part of the tapestry of traditions at Baylor University. I then got to return the favor for students like me who would come after, thinking their first year of college would a fruitless adjustment to a new lifestyle, and being surprised when they realized their potential.

I know that Student Affairs cares about every aspect of a student's life. I know this because as a Line Camp Leader, I had the opportunity to tackle life's tough questions with wonderful students searching for meaning and purpose. I lead discussions about Strengths, Service, Faith, Thriving, Learning, and Justice with students who didn't know they cared about such things.

I know that Student Affairs fosters life-long relationships that shape students beyond their undergraduate career. I know this because I have a list of people (Student Affairs professionals) who I consider dear friends, and who have believed in me, challenged me, empowered me, cared for me, guided me, and taught me. It is because of these people that I not only made it through college, but that I am getting my masters degree in one of the most prestigious and selective programs in the nation. It is because of these people, that no matter what I may learn about Student Affairs in grad school, I will know the heart of what Student Affairs can be, and should be. It is because of these people that I may someday have the opportunity do the same for another student like me, and hopefully make a real impact in someone's life like they have in mine.

These experiences, relationships, and memories are what I bring to the Student Affairs profession. Because of these, I believe that simply serving students is not enough. I bring a passion to mold students into their true forms, to show students that they can do far more than they ever imagined, and to help them discover the resources, skills, and abilities needed to be more than just college graduates. I want to develop people with vision, perspective, a sense of justice, and a passion to do good wherever they can.

For this reason, I want to learn how to maximize Student Affairs. I want to look the profession through a critical lens and challenge the status quo. I think the profession does a lot of things right, but I also think it's not always honest with itself when it falls short. I want to learn how to meet my students where they are, show them what they're capable of, help them find their own direction, and send them out.

I have a lot to learn about Student Affairs, and quite honestly, at this point, I feel like there's so much involved that I just don't know what I don't know. But I do know that I'm willing and excited to learn, and that's why I'm here.

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This post was written as a reflexive journal for a class assignment