Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day

I recently attended the Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day at USC with a group of Cal Poly Pomona students and professional staff members!  Thank you University Housing Services and Reyes Luna, Associate Director for Residence Life, for supporting student leaders like myself and funding the trip to this amazing conference! It was exactly what I needed to regain momentum and inspiration during my process of researching and applying for graduate programs in Higher Education and Student Affairs!

Before attending the conference I thought I had my mind set on a couple of  programs for Higher Education here in Southern California, but this conference made me aware of the variety and range of programs available throughout California as well as throughout the United States.  I was able to learn more about the programs in the CSU system I had previously researched including the programs at Fullerton, Long Beach, and Northridge, while also discovering programs I had previously disregarded because of financial concerns such as University of San Diego and Oregon State University.

I learned that private schools as well as out-of-state schools should still be on my radar because there are opportunities for scholarships and assistantships which can pay for some or even all of the cost of attending graduate school!  It can't hurt to apply because I have always wanted to travel and broaden my understanding of the world around me. Why not travel while continuing my education at the same time?

This conference also helped me make connections with faculty and graduate students at CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, and the University of San Diego.  These were just a few of the programs with representation at the graduate fair during the conference, but I was grateful to make a special connection which each of the programs at the schools listed above.  As a result of these connections, I am attending several information sessions in the near future at these universities and am talking with several faculty members about the opportunity to sit in on graduate classes!  I am so excited to attend my first information session and hopefully sit-in on part of a graduate class next week at the beautiful University of San Diego and learn more about their M.A. in Higher Education Leadership/Student Affairs!

The Eight Hours of Check-In

After much preparation and anticipation by housing staff, the day we have all been waiting for finally arrived; Check-In (and all its chaotic glory)! The beautiful Vista de las Montañas and Vista de la Luna (Luntañas as we lovingly call it) is now filled with the sounds of residents settling in and music blasting from the annual Bronco Fusion event to kick off the start of the academic year. Although it was a long day, my encouraging staff along with the high-energy level of the residents kept me going. This calls for a special blog entry (with a familiar holiday tune) in order to immortalize this monumental day!

During the first hour of check-in Luntañas gave to me
A resident with the wrong key

During the second hour of check-in Luntañas gave to me
Two packs of muffins (Thanks Chelsea for baking us breakfast!)
And a resident with the wrong key

During the third hour of check-in Luntañas gave to me
Three orange bins
Two packs of muffins
And a resident with the wrong key

During the fourth hour of check-in Luntañas gave to me
Four shocked roommates
Three orange bins
Two packs of muffins
And a resident with the wrong key

During the fifth hour of check-in Luntañas gave to me
Five FDAs! (Front Desk Assistants)
Four shocked roommates
Three orange bins
Two packs of muffins
And a resident with the wrong key

During the sixth hour of check-in Luntañas gave to me
Six RAs greeting
Five FDAs!
Four shocked roommates
Three orange bins
Two packs of muffins
And a resident with the wrong key

During the seventh hour of check-in Luntañas gave to me
Seven families moving
Six RAs greeting
Five FDAs!
Four shocked roommates
Three orange bins
Two packs of muffins
And a resident with the wrong key

During the eighth hour of check-in Luntañas gave to me
Eight students yawning
Seven families moving
Six RAs greeting
Five FDAs!
Four shocked roommates
Three orange bins
Two packs of muffins
And a resident with the wrong key

Top 5 Things I Learned in R.A. Training

I Just finished three weeks of intensive R.A. training!  It was both exhilarating and exhausting at the same time! After attending hours of sessions, participating in numerous discussions, and playing MANY ice breakers and team builders I have created a simple list made up of insights about myself, advice given by others, and vital information.

1) Don't be a Teddy Bear

• When managing a conflict I need to resist my natural tendency to put other's goals before my own.  There may be very few instances in which giving up a trivial want of mine in order to avoid a conflict may be appropriate.  However, collaborating (like a wise owl)  is usually the best way to come to an understanding of both parties' wants and needs. (Try to avoid acting like other zoo animals such as the shark who overpowers opponents, or the fox who tends to compromise both parties.) 

2) Call for back-up

• As part of Residence Life I have a huge team I can count on!  Not only do I have my amazing Luntanas staff (Montanas + Luna) that I can turn to for help, but countless other Resident Advisors, student leaders, and professional staff members.  I can't forget to call University Police (x3070) if there is an emergency or major incident.

3) Use my resources

• Since Cal Poly Pomona has such a diverse population, there is a variety of on-campus resources for the range of student needs.  This includes the library, Writing Center, cultural centers, Learning Resource Center, Career Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, Disability Resource Center, and many more!  I can refer residents to these abundant resources when their needs can be better met by those who are educated and trained in specific areas.  Although, I should still become acquainted with as many resources as possible and use them for myself as well.

4) Know my community

• Getting to know my community is crucial!  By knowing the residents I can gauge programs and  events, and understand how I can better interact with them based on their identities backgrounds, beliefs, goals, talents, and interests.

5) Remain calm, confident, and objective

• I was reminded by an inspirational speaker in Student Affairs at the end of training that we were all hired for a reason.  He explained to us that he would much rather have R.A.s who are extremely passionate with average skills instead of R.A.s with top-of-the-line skills without the motivation to back them up.  Still, I know that I obtain both the passion and the skills.  Confident?  Yes.  I just need to remind myself of this realization throughout the year as I continue to work with residents and may be challenged with new experiences.  Does this mean that I know everything?  Far from that.  It also does not mean that I won't make mistakes.  I'm human!  It does mean that I am here for a reason.  I'm here to help the residents while learning how to help them in the best way that I can.

The Next Chapter

After 2 years, I finished my last week as a Student Assistant for Residence Life! Although I may be sad to leave as an assistant, I am proud to say that I would not be beginning my position as a Resident Advisor without that valuable experience. Not only did I learn administrative skills, I learned about the inspiring Residence Life Team that works so hard to create community!

I can genuinely say that all the staff members are truly passionate because they understand the difference they make to the residents on campus. The Residence Life Team took me under their wing and watched me grow as an administrative assistant and student leader! Before letting me spread my wings they introduced me to the new Student Assistant, MaLissa.

After meeting MaLissa I immediately could tell they hired a very motivated addition to the team! She came in already possessing many skills and remaining open to learning more. I am so grateful for the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and advice to such an eager individual. I am even more excited about the new friend that I made!

These are just a few examples as to why Student Affairs makes me smile so much.  Do you know of many jobs that give you the opportunity to give back to the community which helped you grow so much? How many coworkers do you admire or consider some of your closest friends? Exactly.

Want to go to CSULB?

Want to go to CSULB? This is the question I asked myself when researching degrees for Higher Education and Student Affairs. It was also the question my friend Corey spontaneously asked me after we went kayaking in Long Beach last weekend. Since CSULB is one of my top choices for graduate school in California, of course I had planned on visiting…when I was a little more prepared.

I had not yet scheduled an official tour or a meeting with a faculty member from the graduate program. Instead, I traipsed onto campus with my friends in our still damp bathing suites and board shorts.

We started out driving through the campus in my friend’s car and I could picture myself going to class on this breezy campus. After passing by the residence halls, we noticed that they had an Alamitos Hall almost identical to the one at Cal Poly Pomona. We decided to check it out! Soon we were scoping out other places on campus to pop on by, including the College of Education. Before I knew it, we were out of the car taking pictures!

This experience reminded me of another day at the beach with my family when I was a kid. I asked if I could just get my feet wet but slowly inched closer to the water until I “accidentally” fell in. I guess I have always loved to be close to the water. Wouldn’t it be amazing if my love for both the water and Student Affairs lead me to attend graduate school by the beach? Go Beach!

The Beginning of an Adventure!

Three years ago I convinced my parents (and myself) that I was ready to take the step to move out and live on a college campus. When I moved into my residence hall at Cal Poly Pomona, my stomach was turning. At that time I did not realize that living on campus would change my life in ways that I could not even comprehend. Eventually...I caught the Student Affairs bug.

During my last three years I lived in three very different residential communities including the traditional residence halls (not “dorms”), the Center for Regenerative Studies, and the residential suites. I continued to be an active leader within housing organizations including Welcome Week, the National Residence Hall Honorary, and InterHall Council. As a Student Assistant for the Residence Life Team, I even learned about the administrative side of housing services. All of these experiences, along with my mentors, have cultivated my passion for leadership within Student Affairs.

Within a couple of short weeks I start training as a Resident Advisor, a role I have admired since my first year in college! I am also in the process of applying for graduate programs for Student Development in Higher Education. I am excited to continue to work with dedicated student leaders and staff members in order to help build a community that residents can call “home”. I cannot wait for this next part of my journey I am about to embark on!