Living into Our Values: How New Student Affairs Professionals Embody the Values of the Field
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: Via socialization in their Master's-level programs, graduate students in student affairs develop professional values that guide their work in the field. The purpose of this study was to better understand what influences the professional identity of new student affairs values and how these professionals embody the values of the field in their daily work. SUBJECTS: There were five participants in this study. Criterion for participation were (1) currently employed at Grand Valley State University, (2) completed a student affairs or higher education graduate program, and (3) be in the student affairs field for no more than five years. METHODS: Participants completed a pre-interview demographic questionnaire before participating in a 60-minute, semi-structured interview. ANALYSES: Codes were created through close readings of each interview transcript. Codes were then categorized to reveal themes amongst the data. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the data: (1) Supervisor experiences, (2) Caring for students, and (3) Leading by example. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide insight to the impact of supervisor relationships on the professional identities of new student affairs professionals, along with the ways these professionals apply and embody their personal and professional values in their work.
Living into Our Values: How New Student Affairs Professionals Embody the Values of the Field
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: Via socialization in their Master's-level programs, graduate students in student affairs develop professional values that guide their work in the field. The purpose of this study was to better understand what influences the professional identity of new student affairs values and how these professionals embody the values of the field in their daily work. SUBJECTS: There were five participants in this study. Criterion for participation were (1) currently employed at Grand Valley State University, (2) completed a student affairs or higher education graduate program, and (3) be in the student affairs field for no more than five years. METHODS: Participants completed a pre-interview demographic questionnaire before participating in a 60-minute, semi-structured interview. ANALYSES: Codes were created through close readings of each interview transcript. Codes were then categorized to reveal themes amongst the data. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from the data: (1) Supervisor experiences, (2) Caring for students, and (3) Leading by example. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide insight to the impact of supervisor relationships on the professional identities of new student affairs professionals, along with the ways these professionals apply and embody their personal and professional values in their work.