"The History, Philosophy, and Values competency area involves knowledge, skills, and attitudes that connect history, philosophy, and values of the profession to one's current professional practice.  This competency area embodies the foundations of the profession from which current and future research and practice will grow.  The commitment to demonstrating this competency area ensures that our present and future practices are informed by an understanding of our history, philosophy, and values" (ACPA & NASPA, 2010, p. 14).



Activities within Competency

CSP 6010:  Foundations and Functions of College Student Personnel (Click here for syllabus) 

This served as an introductory course in the College Student Personnel, providing me with a historical foundation for higher education and student affairs.  The course paid particular attention to the purpose and function of student affairs and how it connected to the greater higher education community.  A review and critique of fundamental student affairs documents such as "The Student Personnel Point of View" and "Learning Reconsidered" helped me see how the student affairs field has evolved over time as well as the reoccurring principles that are an integral part of the profession.  Assignments such as "Issue Papers" and "Functional 15" presentations challenged me to explore different functional areas of student affairs as well as current issues within them.  For my "Functional 15" presentation, I created a handout to summarize Disability Services that included information specific to the functional area, relevant national organizations, and insights from a practitioner working in the area at BGSU.



HIED 7800: Higher Education and Student Affairs in New Zealand (Click here for syllabus)​

In the summer of 2012, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to intern at The University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand (NZ).  Although I could not participate in the study tour being coordinated by the Department of Higher Education and Student Affairs to examine higher education and student affairs in New Zealand, I took the opportunity to audit the preparatory course sessions linked with the trip as a full participant.



The course focused on gaining a broad understanding of New Zealand history and culture and how it shapes higher education and student affairs.  Learning the history of New Zealand was vital, as events such as the Treaty of Waitangi are felt in higher education today.  The Treaty of Waitangi was a treaty signed in the 1800s by representatives of Great Britain and  the indigenous New Zealand group called the "Māori."  The treaty granted the Māori all the rights of British subjects and set a long-standing legal precedent of equity and access throughout the country.  Today, proposals for changes in higher education policies, programs, and procedures often include a "Treaty Implications" section describing how such a change could impact the Treaty of Waitangi.



Group assignments throughout the preparatory class sessions included a review of a specific New Zealand university and​ the study of a specific functional area (accommodation).