The Student Learning and Development (SLD) competency area addresses the concepts and principles of student development and learning theory. This includes the ability to apply theory to improve and inform student affairs and teaching practice (ACPA & NASPA, 2015). The SLD competency focuses specifically on understanding theory, design and application, and assessment and integration (ACPA & NASPA, 2015). This competency is very important in that the Higher Education & Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) program at SUNY Buffalo State, which focuses heavily on theory and implementing theories into our everyday practice.

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        I believe I am mostly at the foundational level for the Student Learning and Development competency. I have gained most of my knowledge in this competency area by taking HEA 617: Student Development and Learning. This course allowed me to articulate theories and models that describe the development of college students and the conditions and practices that facilitate holistic development (ACPA & NASPA, 2015). HEA 617 not only allowed me to learn and understand theories but also how to evaluate what theory we should be putting into practice and how to measure its success.

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        I am currently in the process of working towards the intermediate goal of creating and assessing learning outcomes to evaluate progress toward fulfilling the mission of the department, the division, and the institution (ACPA & NASPA, 2015). During my current graduate internship, I am creating a leadership program based on the Student Leadership Challenge. This program is based on the five challenges of exemplary leadership and will contain many workshops and trainings based on student development, teachings, and techniques of each challenge. I am creating learning outcomes and ways we can assess them along with how we can connect them back to the mission of the program, department, and our institution.

 

        I expect to grow in this competency by continuously increasing my knowledge of theories through research and everyday implementation. Being able to fully articulate, analyze and apply theory to improve my own practice will help me achieve an advanced level of the SLD competency. I am excited to continue my learning journey of student development as I begin working in a full-time capacity in this field.

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References:

American College Personnel Association and National Association of Student Personnel

Administrators. (2015, August). Professional competency areas for student affairs educators. 

https://buffalostate.open.suny.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2415308-dt-content-rid-22333055_1/courses/202210-HEA625-MRG-15892482/ACPA_NASPA_Professional_Competencies_FINAL.pdf