The saying “I wish I knew then what I know now” is exactly how I feel about student affairs competencies. So much of entry level professional work relies on instincts, and instincts mature with time and experience just like everything else. But as I’ve moved up into middle and upper middle management positions, I found there was still a great deal to learn and apply. The adaptation of knowledge to new contexts never ceases so the feeling of total competence never fully arrives. Thank goodness for great supervisors and mentors!
I’m a believer in continuous quality improvement, something engraved in me during graduate school. So I’ve always tried to apply this philosophy not only to the work I produce but to my own professional growth. Maybe you’re like me and you also nerd out about self-directed learning and professional development opportunities. If you are, then our February series on #SAcompetencies will hopefully inspire you to set some strategic goals to create a personal action plan for how you will learn and grow in and out of the jobs you hold.
Our series features the ACPA/NASPA Competencies revised into a user-friendly rubric in October 2016. If you’re unfamiliar with this document, I highly recommend you review it and consider using it as a self-assessment tool to evaluate your comfort, knowledge, and skills across the three levels of experience identified by ACPA and NASPA: foundational, intermediate, and advanced. #SAgrad students in particular should be studying this rubric to help create and seek intentional learning opportunities and career reflection as described on page 7 of the rubric.
Here are the 10 ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies:
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Advising and Supporting
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Evaluation, and Research
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Law, Policy, and Governance
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Leadership
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Organizational and Human Resources
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Personal and Ethical Foundations
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Social Justice and Inclusion
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Student Learning and Development
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Technology
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Values, Philosophy, and History
Our contributors for this series will share stories and advice related to their ongoing journeys to gain competence in a diverse range of practices. So check back soon and follow #SAcompetencies.
Reading this intro post and would like to be one of those writers? Please contact me at kirland@nccc.edu to find out how to contribute!
