Professional Competency Area Assessment

Professional Competency Areas Assessment

September 21, 2013
Eric Hilldorfer
Higher Education and Student Affairs
Western Michigan University

Professional Competency Area Assessment

Professional Competency Areas

ACPA/NAPSA Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners
(2010)
Professional
Current
Desired
Comments
Competency Area
Ranking
Ranking
Advising and
2
4
At my current job I advise students in
Helping
resume and cover letter writing and
interview etiquette. I also advise my
fraternity chapter working with the
members and guiding them to be leaders. I
have experience in advising, but I want
experience in every aspect of student
affairs.
Assessment,
1
3
I am not a very analytical person. I mostly
Evaluation, and
base ideas or values off of past
Research (AER)
experiences or advice from peers. Certain
studies help better understand the college
student which is crucial to the profession.
Equity, Diversity,
2
4
I am aware that every college student is
and Inclusion
different and no one person is alike. The
higher education world is very diverse,
but my past experience did not have that
much diversity. I need unique experiences
to better understand the profession.
Ethical
2
4
I am aware of my beliefs and ethics, but
Professional
sometimes I have difficulty understanding
Practice
others beliefs because they have a
background I am not familiar with. I also
am not well versed when it comes to
certain legal issues and practices.
History,
2
4
I know that the higher education system is
Philosophy, and
a constantly changing environment, but I
Values
need a better understanding of why certain
changes took place to know where the
system is headed and the role I will play
within that system.
Human and
2
4
I have experience in this area from past
Organizational
leadership roles, but the one area I
Resources
struggle with is conflict resolution. I feel
that this is a major component of working
with other organizations.
Law, Policy, and
1
3
I graduated with a degree in criminology,
Governance
so I am versed in criminal law and
behavior, but I need to develop a better
understanding of all areas of law and

Professional Competency Area Assessment

3
policy.

Leadership

Student
Development and
Learning
Personal
Foundations

This is the area that I have the most

experience with, but there is always room
for improvement.
I have experience with theory and
application, but that is in a completely
different area.
I am self aware knowing my strengths and
weakness, but there are certain areas I
need to focus and improve on such as
wellness.

Reflection
After reviewing my assessment the areas that I felt most confident in, deal mostly
with personal experiences and application of the different sub sections of the competency
area. I need to improve in the areas of educational studies, legal issues, and theory. The
areas where I am least competent are areas where I can focus on my improvement in the
classroom setting. The basis for the majority of these areas starts in the classroom and can
later be applied in my professional work.
Focus Areas
History classes have always been my favorite because I enjoy learning about past
cultures and the reason for their success or failure. I feel I want to focus on the area of
History, Philosophy, and Values because a person needs to know the past of higher
education and student affairs to understand the direction it is going. I need to be able to
establish a foundation to better understand myself, so I can develop as a student affairs
professional.
The area of Law, Policy and Governance follows the same basic path as the
History, Philosophy, and Values area for me. I need to create a solid foundation to be able
to assist students as they navigate the path of the institutions laws and policies. A way

Professional Competency Area Assessment

that I can focus and develop this area is classroom experience. Before I can apply these
laws and policies into my everyday work I have to study and take the necessary courses
to help develop my knowledge of law and policy.
The area of Student Development and Learning is essential to higher education
and student affairs. It allows the professional to understand the reasoning for students
actions and how to properly encourage development of the student. This area involves
proper application and understanding of student development and learning theories. My
past experience in theory application involves studying criminal behavior and the
development of a criminal or criminal activity. Theories in criminology are focused on
deterring certain behaviors from happening where it seems that student development
theories are encouraging certain activities and behaviors to occur. I can develop this area
by attending classes specifically focused on the education of theory and application. This
is an area that needs to first be learned in the classroom before it can be used in the field.
Everybody in the field of student affairs is a leader. Leadership to me is the
culmination of all the competency areas. To be an effectively leader within my
community I will have to develop all areas of competency. I can develop my leadership
qualities at work in the Career Zone and as an alumni advisor to my fraternity. I can apply
the devices that I learn from my classes and peers to become a better leader in my
community. A leader is not always the most skilled on the playing field, but they are the
most knowledgeable and can execute the plan.

Professional Competency Area Assessment

Reference List
Bresciani, M. & Todd, D. (2010). Joint Task Force on Professional Competencies
Retrieved from http://www2.myacpa.org/au/governance/Joint_Task_Force_
Professional_Competncies.php