1. Personal Mission Statement:
As a professional staff member at Vincennes University, working in within the area of
student affairs, as a Residence Hall Coordinator my mission is to help provide a supportive and
engaging learning environment for our students with the living learning community (LLC) and
the university apartments; As well as supporting the goals and values of our housing department.
Through this process I personally believe, students will be more prepared to reach their personal
and educational goals. In collaboration with my general background in student affairs and my
personal aspiration to continue my education, I am confident this opportunity will continue to
enhance my vast educational knowledge, while allowing me to expand my competence through
education, training, professional development, and student interactions.
When I first started at Vincennes University (VU) in 2008 to pursue my first undergraduate
degree in Broadcasting, and even when I became a resident assistant in the fall of 2009, I didn’t
ever foresee myself in a student affairs role or even in education at that time. Towards the end of
my sophomore year, as it came to a close that winter; I was wondering what my future career path
had in store for me. I soon realized I needed a career that helped a large number of people, while
being able to help individuals, reach their goals and potentials, In 2010, I personally decided to
continue my education, and seek my second associate’s degree in Web Design at VU, while staying
on as resident assistant.
As a result of my student leadership and dedication I was hired by former Hall
Coordinator Perry Pruitt as an Assistant Hall Coordinator in the Fall of 2011, at Clark Hall. I had
never worked with Mr. Pruitt, nor did I exactly know what to expect when I took this position; as
I knew he high expectations for his teams. Furthermore he wanted us to grow and to continue to
challenge ourselves as students, and leaders of our teams at VU. Over the next several months he
became one of many mentors throughout my time at Vincennes University. Within his role as
Residence Hall Coordinator, he continued to work with me across several areas of housing and
student affairs. He worked with me to provide some education and training in the realm of
student affairs to me. Likewise he provided me the chance to listen to student issues, so we could
continue to improve all making it a more enjoyable environment for all. I was given the
opportunity to work closely with him in resolving roommate issues, along with the experience of
helping train and develop his team(s) to excel and become excellent leaders in helping students.
2. This in return has inspired me to become a great leader and to lead by example by diving in and
helping out on various projects.
As Perry retired from his role of coordinator, I was able to help with the transition of
Cheryl Litherland, who was appropriated to Clark and Morris Hall, as the new Hall Coordinator.
I was given the opportunity to work with her which allowed me to provide her with insights and
information about the residence halls as she was leaning about and the operations of the past had
been. We soon began to work closely together to adapt and grow to become excellent leaders, as
we learned from each other, while working together to achieve common goals that we had set
while serving the needs of the students. In the meantime, I completed my associate’s degree in
Web design. After completing my second degree, I was determined that I wanted to earn my
bachelor’s degree. While working for Cheryl in Clark Hall, as one of her ARHC’s I began the
pursuit for bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and graduated with it in May 2015 with
a GPA above a 3.00.
Now currently working in a professional role as Hall Coordinator, since January 2015 I
feel that I established much of the same qualities that several of my mentors shared with me,
which I have found very useful. My day to day activates much reflect on my organizational and
management along with time management skills, to ensure that I’m meeting my goals and
exceptions. This allows me to check on programs, and work with students to resolve issue and
discipline issues that sometimes arise. For example, as coordinator of our living learning
community (Ebner Hall) I am responsible for approximately 90 residents 4 of them are student
staff (RA’s) that I supervise and work with to develop programs for their residents while
overseeing a programing budget. Furthermore I am also coordinator of our university apartments
and oversee approximately 75 residents and conduct monthly health and safety checks. In being
coordinator, I believe that it is essential to learn the names of the residents and to also learn about
some of their interests and hobbies, as this should allow you to have a better experience with
planning programs and it lets them know you care about them, and allows for the scene of having
a welcoming and open door feeling.
Now that I have a better understanding of student affairs and the overall processes that
are involved with supervision, education, and student leadership. I continually try to understand
the student’s as I work with them to achieve their dreams and goals, while enforcing the policies
and rules that have been set forth by the University. For example, when meeting with students, I
3. personally look at the interaction as a teachable moment, where the students and I are learning
together, and just not as a conversation between student and administrator; as we can both learn
something new and continue to build respect and communication.
In closing, I’m looking to continue my education in pursuing my Master’s degree in
Student Affairs. I have a high comprehensive skill that makes me an excellent candidate for the
ISU Student Affairs and Higher Education Program. In addition to an excellent GPA, I have had
extensive experience of working with in the area of Student Affairs, more specifically I have
worked in the realm of Housing and Residential life. I’ve worked as both a Resident Assistant
and Assistant Coordinator for many years, before becoming a full time Coordinator for Off-
Campus Properties/Living Learning Communities at Vincennes University. Personally, I believe
that hard work, dedication, and determination is key. I’m more than always looking to continue
to improve and excel at the day ahead of me, then at the end of the day, I can look back at a job
well done, as I try to improve for tomorrow. I enjoy thinking on my feet and solving complex
problems. I like to be busy and enjoy a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day. I bring
professionalism and a positive attitude to each situation.