Reflection on Internationalization, changing student population and multicultural campus communities

It fascinating to know how scholars are investing on internationalization of higher education and student affairs. This is due to the fact that the world is a global village. Thus, it calls for people from different background who share their resources together. Harmony and unity is established in internationalization. Likewise in student services, these services are to be made international. student service personnel should create a multi-cultural climate. Student from other cultures should feel comfortable and involved. It can be done by integrating cross cultural programs. This is very practical at Andrews University.

The essence of changing student population is another important concern. Its evident that there is a demographic shift of student going for higher education. So its the duty to reach the students more effectively than before. Student affairs Practitioners should adjust their service according to the prospective student population. Appropriate prediction of student enrollment interms of race, gender, culture, age and other demographical factors is to be taken into serious considerations.

The topic on multicultural campus communities is expounding on the previous chapters. It implies that professional should remodel their services to involve various ethnic groups. Student service should have a common goal of making diversified student live and work together. The basic question that we can ask are: is our institutions exerting effort to improve services for a multicultural group of students? If not, something must be done. If yes well and good, let them strive for continous improvements.

Importance of Institutional Mission

Student Services Professional must translate the mission statement in their services. It implies the services focus on fulfilling the mission of the institution. The institution mission shapes professional practices in student affairs. Student affairs professionals also need to be proactive. Unfortunately, some organization do not take this issue into serious consideration. Eventually, it leads to inappropriate services and complaints from students.
Student Services is committed to enhancing the individual student experience by providing an accessible, efficient and excellent service which supports the mission statement. Hence, thereby enabling each student to achieve their full potential.

Context of Professional Practice

The chapter explores the work evolution of Student Deans and personnel over time. These individual adjust to the new demands in the profession. In order to cope with the rising demand of the profession, each student services personnel should be innovative and creative.

The history od student services identifies where and when it come. Its our duty to shape the future with creativity and innovation. Its necessary to adapt new techniques and skills to serve the student. Student affairs professional must be prepared to think differently about services to students based on the new research and changing demographics that inform practice. This innovative drive-in institute will address the unique needs of student populations on campus including veterans, adult learners, students with disabilities and foster care youth.

Theory to Practice

Sometimes it difficult to put theory into practice. It becomes sometimes easy to read different kinds of theories but the application becomes seemingly impossible. The topic of the week emphasize on using theories to solve student affair problems. These theories are important from pyschosocial development, cognitive, environment to human aggregate perspective. The issue sometimes involved in the student services are beyond the theories. Occasionally, some problems involve more than one theory to succumb the problem. Despite this, we are supposed to use the theories in the daily activities in student services.
An crucial lesson is found in the physical environment we create for the students. It communicates a lot to the student. Thus the organization should create a favorable physical environment. It starts with the classrooms, library residence halls and other infrastructures necessary for students. This will help the student services personnel work effectively.

Technology

The reading was catching, in the sense that how technology has been the major element in student affairs. Growth in online learning is the trend forward. The classroom experience is brought in your house, office or at your disposal. Students are busy due to fast pace of life. hence, convenience is the priority in selecting a course or a higher learning institution. Online learning serves the purpose. This calls for student services personnel to reach the target market (students). We are to learn the distance learners and assess their educational supports needs. Moreover, we are to determine the best means of technology to reach the students. This raises the issue to assess online student motivation and the service they require to succeed academically. then, give the online student services for the general public.
We have to think about the technological shortcoming or challenges. while technology is improving in one level, we are loosing at the other end. we must be aware of these issues and the strategies to curb the problem. what are solutions for the problem?

Reflections

Welcome to my blog of scholarly and reflectional writings on issues impacting student affairs and higher education. Its a wonderful opportunity to create a platform where we can exchange ideas and air our concerns for our institutions and our communities at large.

As always, your comments are welcome.