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Narrative Description

For this to be an honest representation of my graduate experience I have to speak to content that was
not directly learned in the SDA program. However without the encouragement of peers and faculty of the
SDA program I would have less likely been involved with the more transformative experiences of my
graduate studies.
The experience at Seattle University that has made the innumerable headaches worth it, is Leading
with Emotional Intelligence within the college of business. I firmly feel that this course should be adapted
and required in the SDA program. Through my three EQ class experiences I have observed the keen
natural ability of SDA students to click with the practice and enhance the EQ classroom experience.
Through the many periods of crisis and transition I have experienced while in Seattle, EQ has truly been
what got me through it all, and what continues to get me through the toughest times. With the class I
developed the ability to recognize and understand the power of my gifts. As a young professional and
individual the value of this development is priceless. Through the encouragement of peers and instructors
of the class I have been able to learn the most invaluable skill: loving myself. I say it is a skill because
real work has to be done around this and practiced everyday. The added support from SDA has continued
to fuel a passion for EQ.
Exploring social justice and my identities has also been an invaluable experience of the program. I
chose the SDA program for the fact that it was centered on social justice and holistic development. Being
in various courses outside of SDA, I realized just how committed the program is to integrating social
justice and identity development. I think the required course in Multicultural Perspectives has provided
me with the opportunity to critically assess my oppressed and privileged identities. Prior to this critical
self-assessment I felt uncomfortable with identities and did not really know how to define them. Knowing
where I come from and how I identify allows me to relay to my surroundings who I am, why I am here,
and what I am going to do/become. It is said that knowledge is power and I hold this to be true. I feel
empowered by knowing myself on so many levels and with this knowledge I am better equipped to make
a difference.

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One piece of literature that has stuck with me since taking theory my first year is Yossos Community
Cultural Wealth. Recognizing individuals unique backgrounds as capital instead of a deficit or hindrance
on their potential to succeed really resonates with me. I value the whole person; I have always done this
because my parents instilled this in me as I grew up. The SDA program has provided me with the
information and language around my values that now allows me to more affectively convey them clearly
to people. With a stronger ability to communicate my values, emotions, and ideas I have the potential to
draw deeper connections with people resulting in stronger communities of diversity. People do not have to
agree with each other, however respect and understanding is cornerstone to building organizations,
leaders, programs, and student success rates.
Outside of the classroom my professional experiences have also taught me a lot. I spent my two years
at Trinity Lutheran College located in downtown Everett working in the Student Life Center as the
Community Life Coordinator. My responsibilities have varied and been multifaceted but have also taught
me what I like, can handle, and how resiliency is critical to personal and professional life. As I move
forward from Trinity I look back on the college with gratitude for the lessons and perspectives it gave me.
Along with doing one internship at Trinity during the summer, I also interned at Cornish College of the
Arts. Both internships taught me the value and necessity of adapting student services to specific
environments. Students will always be changing however well vetted programming should be adapted
and made beneficial to meet specific student needs.
With an understanding of my strengths in adaptability, resiliency, and community building, I find
myself open to many functional areas of higher education. My ultimate goal in life is serve people by
bringing them peace of mind through self-exploration. Students are a great place to start with this
endeavor however as I grow I want to affect more change in the populations around me. I am excited for
my future because the energy and passions I possess are incredibly valuable to creation of humanity and a
socially just world. The SDA program has set me up on a promising path to self-actualization for not only
myself but also the lives I change.

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