Amanda Williams

April 13, 2017

ALE Reflection
Within the Discipline
Being a Residential Leader (RL) at Tarleton State University has allowed me the opportunity
grow as a leader. Within the RL positon I have learned leadership and communication skills that
have allowed me to broaden my understanding and my ability to lead people effectively. So
much of being a leader is being able to listen and understand and communicate effectively both
within a group and individual setting and make decisions for the benefit of everyone involved.
Other skills that I learned in the position of residential leader include effective time management.
As a RL responsibilities and obligations build up fast and it is important to have effective time
management skills to accomplish all task effectively and successfully.
Outside the Discipline
Beyond the role of RL I have used my leadership and communication skills to thrive in
academics and in my other jobs. I have worked in a day care with children as well as have started
my own online business. Both positions have required me to have effective time management
and communication skills. Also while on the Tarleton campus I have been involved in numerous
bible studies, and a member of the Baptist Student Ministry. I am an active member of my
church community and attend volunteer opportunities often. Time management skills in each of
these roles has helped me improve other skills such as: organization, planning and scheduling,
flexibility and confidence. Each of these skills build off of skills that I already had as well as
expand to new levels as I grow as a leader and take on new responsibility.
Beyond Academics
As a Residential leader I have not only been able to grow in my own field of study but also help
my residents grow within there fields of study as well. I have been able to offer my guidance as
well as expand my personal knowledge. I have been able to effectively connect residents to
helpful academic resources on campus. Another opportunity I have had within the RL position is
the opportunity to mentor, guide and encourage residents to do their absolute best in academics
as well as in any organization they are involved in, but I have also learned that not every student
views class and college the same as me so I have been able to grow and become more acceptable
of differences amongst my residents.
Interconnectedness
Being in the position of Residential Leader I have not only taken the time to get to know forty
different residents but also to take each of these residents and connect them with each other
within a hallway. The opportunity to do these things as broaden my listening skills and made me
more sympathetic for the needs of my residents. I have also been able to communicate with
residents effectively and grow relationships between myself and each resident within the
community.
Global Awareness
Within the RL experience I have faced many challenges and have been able to grow within my
leadership role. Coming into the Role of RL I knew that I would face challenges and
disagreements with residents co-workers and staff, but I never realized how much each of these
people would impact me and my life. Going into RL I thought I would just work and live
amongst these people and that would be the extent of the relationship, but I could not have been
more wrong. Each experience with every person I have encountered has impacted me and helped
me grow as a person and as a leader.
Broader Implications
The RL experience has opened many opportunities for me to experience diversity. I have been
able to explore and understand differences between different beliefs, cultures, and sexualities. I
have also been made aware of financial, political and physical differences amongst residents. As
a Residential Leader I have been able to learn new ways to handle conflict and have become
much more open-minded.