Leadership Exchange - Summer 2010

The Conscience of Higher Education
© ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

In the midst of challenging times in society and on our campuses, student affairs professionals have an incredibly important role to play. That role is to serve as the conscience of higher education. Student affairs professionals are the only institutional agents for whom the well-being of students is a core responsibility. If we take this responsibility seriously, social justice and advocacy must be a central part of our work.

To be effective educators and student advocates, we must decide what values and beliefs are worth our commitment, and we must have the courage to live with our decisions. This is what it means to live a life of integrity. As we move through our lives, we will each face situations in which making a particular decision or taking a certain action may put our careers, our relationships, or other core aspects of our lives in jeopardy.

Advocacy is an act of moral courage. It requires a deep understanding of ourselves, our philosophy of life, and our values. It also requires a commitment to act on those values and the courage to deal with the consequences of those actions.

Listen Before
You Leap

Nancy J. Evans, professor, Higher Education Program,

Iowa State University

Before you speak or make any serious decisions, be quiet. Stop. Go to a quiet place and sit down. Breath quietly and reflect. Think about your personal values and professional ethics, particularly, “Do no harm.” Think about what is best for yourself, your students, and your institution. Think about the consequences and ripples. Think about what the wisest person you ever met would advise you under these circumstances.

Reflect after you act, particularly if the action did not produce the desired results. Keep track of the significant actions you’ve taken and the mistakes you’ve made. Take time to reflect.

When all else fails, remember that students are always watching you. What kind of behavior do you want them to see or emulate? What do you hope for them when they are your age? What did you hope for your career when you were their age? What matters most?

The Airline
Philosophy

Practice the “airline philosophy of life.” We have all heard the flight attendant tell us to “put the oxygen mask on yourself first, then help the person next to you.” Unless you take care of yourself and keep your mind, body, and spirit healthy, challenged, and thriving, you will not adequately address the needs and challenges of your students, colleagues, and institutions.

Taking care of yourself means staying up to date, articulating your professional philosophy, and being authentic and congruent in action. It also means balance in your personal and professional lives, engaging in both with passion and quality. It means finding time to read new literature, taking vacation days to get renewed, having dates with significant others, keeping family first, staying centered, finding like-minded people to support your dreams, appreciating others, and being appreciated. By keeping the big picture in mind and knowing your role, you can make a difference in the lives of college students who, in turn, will change the world.