Graduates should be able to relate effectively with a wide range of people. Specifically, students should be able to demonstrate relational and professional competence
a. in relating across cultural boundaries with many different kinds of people;
b. in relating across functional boundaries with people of widely varied roles within higher education;
c. as representatives of the institutions they serve to those within the larger community.
Evidence One
My Role as the Inter-Club Council Advisor
At Napa Valley College and at my current college Canada College, the coordinator of student life serves as the advisor of student government and the Inter-Club Council. Depending on the size of the college, those areas are usually two separate jobs. Since I do both, I believe students experience empowerment and cultural development when being part of a campus club. When I started at NVC in 2001, there were about ten active clubs and a very inactive Inter-Club Council. Today, there are over 25 student clubs in a variety of areas such as cultural, political, social and academic. As the advisor to the Inter-Club Council, I have implemented Club Advisor trainings, Club Manual and updated the Inter-Club Constitution. Today, each club has a faculty or staff advisor, seven core members and meets weekly or bi-weekly. Student clubs are a significant part of student life at NVC and Canada College. They improve retention because students who join clubs are more likely to build relationships with other students and faculty. Click here to see view the Canada College: Club Page
Evidence Two
Member of Student Standards and Practice Committee
At Napa Valley College, I had the privilege to be a member of many campus senate and district committees. As a student service staff member, committee work has provided me with many opportunities to work with faculty and promote student services and the needs of students both inside and outside the classroom. I am most proud of the work I have done on the NVC Student Standards and Practice Committee. The Student Standards and Practice Committee reviews and considers updates to the Student Code of Conduct, Smoking policy, Academic Honestly policy and is now creating a Student’s Bill of Rights. The committee includes 6 faculty members who serve a two year term, the coordinator of student life, the vice president of student services and a student representative. The coordinator of student life and the vice president of student services are the only committee members that do not have term limits. I was on the committee since I started at NVC. Since then, I brought forth the need for more advertisement and accessibility of all students rights, responsibilities, and grievance procedures. The group agreed and I worked with the Office of Student Services administrative assistant to create a student rights and responsibilities web page that included the student code of conduct, grievance procedures, academic policy, student’s right to know and other information. Click here to see the: NVC Student Rights and Responsibilities Website
Evidence Three
President Elect, President and Past President of the CA Community College Student Affairs Association
At the two year college level, student activities directors, coordinators, student government advisors and deans of students are encouraged to join the CA Community College Student Affairs Association (CCCSAA). CCCSAA provides networking, hosts leadership conferences and facilitates an active email lip serve. I have been a member since 2001. During 2003-2004, I served as the Northern Representative. I rejoined the board of directors in 2008 to start a three year term as the President Elect, President and Past President. It was my first presidential experience. Fellow members of CCCSAA have become my mentors and student affairs family. Each year, when I attend the professional conference or the student leadership conference, I get the chance to catch up, share stories, and learn how to be a better leader. As student affairs professionals, we are often the ones on the front lines with students every day. If there is one thing I learned about how to be successful in the world of student affairs it is the importance of finding time to share your successes and struggles. I used to think networking was a way to be popular. Now I know it is more then that. Networking allows you to ask for help or advise when you least expected. Click here to learn more: CCCSAA Website