Personal Philosophy Paper 1

Personal Philosophy Paper

Jessica L. Thompson

Concordia University Ann Arbor

SPA 501: Foundations of Higher Education

SPA 502: Professional Writing and Research

Professor Loren Rullman/Professor Michael OLeary

September 16, 2015

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Prior to being accepted into the SPAHE Program at Concordia University Ann Arbor I

already had six years of Student Affairs work under my belt. The impetus for applying to this

program was rooted in my desire to be knowledgeable about the theories that support this work.

Interestingly enough I did not choose this set of work; this work chose me. When I applied for a

job with the Trotter Multicultural Center, I thought I was pursuing an event coordinator position,

and yet Trotter Multicultural Center is so much more than that. I quickly realized that the Center

was placed at the University of Michigan to offer students more than just a place to reserve for

their events and programming. The Trotter Multicultural Center is responsible for the out of the

classroom educational experience; also referred to as the co-curricular educational experience,

through the lens of social justice and multiculturalism. To put it simply, Trotter Multicultural

Center is supposed to be that space that brings about awareness of the various cultures present on

campus; as well as, the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate these cultures. Even more

than that, this work is truly about "feelings." Spaces are created at the Center to allow students to

develop both interpersonal and intrapersonal skills around identities, both of self and others.

When I started at Trotter, I wanted to be the best administrative assistant possible, and

yet, over time, my position truly evolved into a facilitator of the skills mentioned previously.

While in my role, I observed many student conversations, events and programs happening in the

facility; those moments forced me to reevaluate and realize that Trotter Multicultural Center was

not living into its best self. Our students were not being encouraged to understand what social

justice work looks like. Social Justice speaks to the equitable access we have or do not have

based on our social identities. Providing this space of exploration and discussion on a large

campus like the University of Michigan is necessary. Especially when we consider the

disconnect that can happen between where a student is developmentally and how it might impact
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who he or she may perceive themselves to be on a campus. Students are in an environment

where they can learn more about their cultures and others; yet what does this awareness provide

them?

Witnessing the transformations that take place on an individual and collective level is

unbelievable. The growth and awareness of self and others in a social and academic space can

lend itself to the intrapersonal skills one needs when leaving this supportive environment and

entering a professional one. The understanding that it takes all of us working together to make

this world a better place starts with understanding what that contribution looks like on an

individual level. This self-awareness can lead to a sense of pride that does not always come

naturally. When encouraged to see the world through a social justice lens, it is then that a

student can embrace the idea that his or her individual contributions can be enhanced by the

experiences and influence of others.

Although I never would have thought after graduating from Michigan State University

that I would be working for the University of Michigan, I cannot imagine being anywhere else.

To bear witness daily to the ways in which Student Affairs impacts the campus community and

that we are a necessary unit on campus solidifies why I need to be in the SPAHE Program.

There is no greater feeling than knowing the history that shapes the work you contribute to on a

daily. Not only that, but I welcome the moment to delve into the theories that govern the work I

do from day to day.

In my new role as Program Manager of the William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center,

my goal is to create the types of programming that encourage students to be who they are. In that

I hope we provide them with the understanding that they will also be embraced for all that they

are not. However, they will be challenged to see the world in a way that stimulates a deeper
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awareness of not only self but also an appreciation for the differences that make this world a

better place. I have come to realize that to be both professionally and personally fulfilled I must

be a part of this collective and individual student journey.