Student Development Philosophy – PowerPoint Presentation

Atlas University Division of Student Affairs

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Here at Atlas University, the Division of Student Affairs strives to fulfill the mission of the university through maintaining and nurturing meaningful, personal connections with our students. We seek to create experiences that offer both the ability to engage our diverse learning population while providing learning opportunities that are dynamic in nature and geared toward assisting students in achieving their goals.Our services are designed with the student in mind on both academic and personal levels.

Our Mission

Atlas University is founded on the commitment to achieving student success both in and out of the classroom. The Division of Student Affairs seeks to provide an inclusive framework for the student experience with emphasis on nurturing and developing the overall development of the individual that will assist in facilitating growth beyond the academic arena.Our partnership with faculty, students, and fellow staff is rooted in furthering the development of these environments and learning experiences that will ultimately serve in promotion of our students gaining knowledge, fostering independence, teaching accountability, and providing the opportunity for all involved to learn more about themselves and those around them in creative and thought-provoking ways. The Division of Student Affairs strives to maintain a diverse environment that is inclusive to all involved through creation of a climate that reflects the Division’s values and promotes the exchange of ideas.

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Our Goals

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Continue providing opportunities that meet the evolving needs of our students and staff to best promote the individual, social, cultural, and academic development of all involved.Improve and expand academic offerings and instruction that meets and/or exceeds best practices, changing needs, and assessment data compiled by the university.Provide the resources and opportunities that will aid in student advancements toward educational goals, up to and including graduation.Enrich the learning process through making information technologies, resources, and services available and accessible to all.Continually seek to create opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills gained from their learning environments to real world environments that will benefit from their involvement.Support educational equality for all students including any and all who may be from a “disadvantaged” background.

Philosophy Statement

Every institution has their own developmental philosophies, AU is no different. This statement is reflective of my personal philosophy in accordance with the university:“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” This is a simple enough quote but it is the foundation of my personal philosophy. When a student takes the leap to enter into the higher educational area, it is my personal responsibility to strive to provide the necessary support and opportunities to adequately prepare my students for what will occur outside of the classroom walls. Fostering a strong sense of understanding and utilizing my training to empower and best serve my students will assist in preparation for any and all professional future endeavors.

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Philosophy Statement Continued.

My primary concern will always be my students and I will always strive to provide a quality experience as a professional in student affairs. I will work in earnest to maintain a balance of encouraging my students to branch out on a holistic and individual level while working maintain a focus on grades and growth that is both personal and assessment friendly. My primary role is to be an effective resource that my students can make use of through their learning journey. Allowing a level of accessibility to my students will in turn, allow them to approach me over their concerns and find solutions that will allay their stressors and allow for meaningful growth; and if need be, allow me to direct students to the appropriate supplemental services to resolve personal and/or academic issues that are beyond my ability to resolve.Student success is a constant collaboration of maintaining the marriage of reaching goals in the classroom and outside of it. My part in this is to help students identify services, organizations, and other interests that they can identify with. It is imperative that I understand the diverse needs of differentiated learners to help shape their higher educational experience. Respecting the individual desires of the student to take part in the community atmosphere in the way they feel is appropriate is part of the collaborative experience. This is only one facet of a student carving their identity during this time of their life. I will also help my students navigate the waters that are not quite so clear and address current and potential challenges they may face in a tactful, respectful, and professional manner.

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Resources:Evans, N. J., Forney, D. S., Guido, F. M., Patton, L. D., & Renn, K. A. (2010). Student development in college: Theory, research, and practice  (Links to an external site.) 2nd ed.). Retrieved from https://www.vitalsource.com/Smith, M.K. (2001). Lifespan development and lifelong learning. Infed.Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/biblio/lifecourse_development.htm