The Law, Policy, and Governance competency area includes the knowledge, skills, and dispositions relating to policy development processes used in various contexts, the application of legal constructs, compliance/policy issues, and the understanding of governance structures and their impact on one’s professional practice (ACPA & NASPA, 2015). The law, policy, and governance (LPG) competency covers four components: laws and legal systems, governance, ethical and inclusive application of policy, and civic engagement (ACPA & NASPA, 2015). To reach advancement in the LPG competency one would be able to participate effectively in the governance system, develop policies and practices consistent with laws related to institutional and personal tort liability, challenge biased laws and policies and advocate for the design of equitable practices and so more (ACPA & NASPA, 2015).

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        I would consider myself at the foundational level of the Law, Policy, and Governance Competency. Throughout my graduate assistantship, I have not had many opportunities to increase my knowledge of LPG. Although, I have been able to work with the Student Government Association throughout my assistantship and have been able to learn their policies and procedures and make sure they are in compliance every day. This allows me to have a general knowledge of student government policies and laws surrounding funding, budgeting, and proper allocation of funds.

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        I have also learned about law, policy, and governance in two courses within the HESAA program. HEA 616: American Higher Education taught me about laws and policies in institutions. Within this course we were tasked to complete an assignment on the history of an institution, I focused on community colleges and their development. HEA 620: Strategic Planning and Finance taught me about strategic planning and all that it entails, such as policies, governance, finances and personnel. Although I still assess myself within the foundational level these courses have helped develop my knowledge within this competency.  

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        During my assistantship, I was also given the opportunity to work an event where we encouraged students to register to vote and walked them through the instructions on how to do so. This allowed us to show younger students the process of registering but also gave them the chance to learn how to use their own voice not only within a county, state, or national election, but also within their institutions as well.

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        Throughout my career, I am hoping to gain more knowledge within the LPG competency by immersing myself within the institution I will be working. I will be able to achieve intermediate or advanced level by learning about policies and procedures within the institution as a whole and more specifically within the department I am working. I am excited to open up my knowledge to this topic as I believe it is something that is really important and should be a staple in my student affairs knowledge.

 

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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