January 31, 2012 Dear Dustin, It has been an honor to work beside you over the past eighteen

months; I could not have asked for a better co-worker, cohort member, and friend to have during my graduate journey. You have continually shown the highest promise as an emerging student affairs professional and I am glad to know that I will be sharing the field with you for many years to come. From day one, you have centered your work and practice on providing the best for students while infusing your passion for student activism, inclusivity, and care into all that you do. You have always been skilled in your ability to understand and foster diversity personally and professionally. You have been able to pass this passion onto others through your work with your RAs, other coworkers, and all the students involved in I-group and the Center for the Study of Justice. Social justice, activism, and engaging in developing and difficult dialogues, particularly with white students, are areas where you have continually worked to challenge yourself and the environment you work in. You always look for ways to engage the student perspective in all that you do and have encouraged others whom we work with to follow suit and do likewise. Our journey together hasnt always been focused on the areas where you excel. There were defiantly times of challenge and growth that you contended with throughout your Seattle University experience. I believe your most significant developments have been: working within a team, creating a work/life balance for yourself, and becoming confident in your professional identity. As a team member you have become more focused on advocating for the needs of other team members. You have grown relaxed in your professional identity and how you conduct yourself in team situations. Your ability to take the back seat (intentionally) in team-orientated situations speaks to your growth and your improved ability to trust in the process but still add your thoughtful and on-point comments. Recently, you have shown greater efforts to take care of yourself and maintain a work/life balance that alluded most first years; Im incredibly proud of you for this! No student affairs professional can give their best when theyre not taking care of themselves; Im glad to see that youre making this a priority. And finally, your professional identity; I believe your professional identity has been shaped by the ups and downs your time at Seattle University. You are a dedicated and caring student affairs professional who values professional development, seeking challenge, and truly understanding who our students are and who they will become. You are a truly great professional who I will be excited to work with again in the future. Faithfully,

Christina Shapland