Reflection 7, overdue.

Reflection #7 - is it possible to have a singular model for leadership in a culturally pluralistic environment?

The answer to this is difficult; I feel that it can be both a yes and a no. I say it is tough because part of me wants to completely deny that it is possible and the other part of me looks at the world today.
For example: United States, one leader, his style of leadership, commanding one nation filled with different races, different opinions, different cultures, different dreams and aspirations. While not everyone is happy, the truth still remains that there is one leader commanding an extremely diverse population. So isn't that an example, and I would like to think it's been rather successful for the last oh... 200 years or so? Don't get me wrong, I do feel that it is extremely difficult for this phenomenon to occur otherwise nations wouldn't be facing the discord they are facing now, but I feel that through imagination, open listening, communication, and compromise that all parties can come to an agreement in some way or another and get something accomplished.

So while it is not impossible, it's not probable either. Then again, nothing is impossible right?

Time management.

I think this is a perfect time for me to reflect on time management..I say this because between softball, being injured, homework, scheduling for classes, and current classes I find myself a little stressed.
I once thought that I could handle the full schedule, but what do you do when your coach threatens to throw you off the team if you miss a game for lab? and when you talk to the higher official, they do nothing? What about if you have to get MRI's, or hospital checkups on a regular basis but can't schedule it any other time aside from your class? and if you want to make up that class but the only other time a scheduled class is, is during another class of yours?
It may seem easy to just quit, but when you have time invested...is it really so easy to just give it all up?
I've learned that communication is key through all of this, communication with my professors about how I can make things up, and how to receive credit where you can. You also have to be able to stand up to your coach and let him know that you are in fact a STUDENT-athlete, student first, athlete second, because sometimes a coach can forget that and as an individual/leader you have to be able to remind him of where your priorities are.

That's all I have for now, off to do homework. haha.

Thoughts on dropouts.

Ever been in school and thought about dropping out? Or knew someone that was forced to drop out for some reason or another?
I've already witnessed more than one and I'm only a first year in college. My mom, my first and second roommate all dropped out of school for one reason or another. Whether it was financial confusion, marriage, or homesickness they all made the decision to stop education for a period of time.
Personally I'm trying to reflect on this to figure some things out, I suppose that because I am not in their situations I don't quite understand why they chose that path when they could have stuck it out for the rest of the semester and then transferred. Does anyone know why? Does anyone realize how much this affects everything, or their surroundings??

If interested more information on the dropout rate can be found here:


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101801790.html

RA 6

Reflection #6 - If you re-took the SLPI today, would anything have changed? What have you done to work on your leadership style? What are your plans and goals going forward?


If I were to retake the SLPI today, I think that any change that would occur would be a minor one. The minor change I believe would take place in the fields of inspiring others. I had already received the highest marks in enabling others to act, and I think that I have improved in the field of inspiring others to act simply because I have changed the way I look at a lot of different situations that would involve leadership responsibilities. Some of these situations include group projects that may seem extermely difficult, or tedious activities that once seemed too boring to complete.
Working on my leadership style has just been going through day to day activities and looking for ways to lead others, whether it's through examples, or just small ways that show who I am. I also look for opportunities to inspire others to do things that can make a difference in the lives of others.
My plans and goals include being able to put myself outside of my comfort zone more often than I do now, and by doing so help others with their problems while at the same time making it easier for me to communicate with others. I would also like to improve my organization skills, and my level of motivation. I feel that by doing this, I can truly become an overall well rounded person.

Reflection 5

Reflection #5 - How do you lead, when you are not the titular leader in a project?

When you're not the leader of a certain situation, it's often difficult to take a leadership position if you're unsure of how to go about it. When I am not the titular leader in a project I feel that it is necessary to network with all parties involved, and involve every individual in the processes taking place. By doing this, I not only gain the trust of others, but I help the titular leader because when everyone is involved, or feeling included, they are generally happier, and this will create a more creative, relaxed, stess free environment. Along with this, I simply apply myself. One of the best ways to lead, I feel, is to lead by example. So by showing others that I'm serious about what we're doing, then they should be too. This will help the group as well because it will encourage motivation, enable others to act, and this will help the project get completed at a quicker pace. This is how I lead, if not the titular leader.

Higher Edu and Voting

Reflection #4 - If you were voting in the 08 presidential election based solely on higher education policy, who would you vote for and why?

At the risk of sounding ignorant, I would have to say that I would not vote for any of the presidential candidates. I don't agree with any of their policies, or lack of policies. Also, I feel that there are more important issues to look at than higher education, yes it affects my family and me directly, and many others, but that doesn't change the fact that there are more pressing issues facing our nation and the people of. I would choose to look at those policies and decide on issues of the economy and war, before picking a policy on higher education. So if it came down to voting simply for their higher education policies, I would choose to abstain, unfortunately.

Higher Education Stance

source: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=3671

She wants to make a college education more affordable for everyone through tax programs and governmental funding.

Building a University

Reflection #3 - If you were to design a new University from the ground up, what would it be like?

If I were to build a University from the ground up it would be a male and female based college. It would attempt to be a blend at liberal arts education (http://www.iseek.org/sv/20005.jsp#definition) and technical school education (http://www.rwm.org/rwm/) to draw in a more diverse student body. The shape of the campus would be in a horse shoe or circle, with a quad in the middle. This way the studyent body could view everything that was going on. It would definitely include a coffee shop, that isn't Starbucks (http://www.starbucks.com/), as Starbucks is too overpriced for college students. There would be nice dorm rooms, that were spacious, while at the same time practical. It would be a school that wanted to make a change, or mold students that want to make a change, or impact on the community. I don't believe it would be a small private school, and I would ensure that it is a school where the best education can be had while still having opportunities to go to campus concerts, athletic games, or different campus organizations.

Reflection #2

There are many unrealistic expectations place on RA's. I think it is the belief that RA's should be able to solve everything on their own, at that moment that is the most unrealistic expectation. I think that students and administration alike believe that RA's should be able to handle everything because they have already shown extraordinary leadership skills, and the ability to handle things in a quick, decisive manner, so therefore they feel that they should be able to handle EVERY situation in that way.
Personally, I would simply make sure that I have a list of priorities, and when a situation arises, make sure not to panic, and to simply take a few seconds to either calm the student down or discuss the issue with them. Simply being able to realize that I may not be the best suited for that situation will allow me to refer it to someone more able. That knowledge is important because it takes off some of the pressure that RA's might feel, and with less pressure, situations can be dealt with very efficiently, and in a stress free environment.

Reflection #1

There have been many programs that I have involved myself in throughout the years. Some of these include my girl scout gold and silver award projects, Jefferson and Rock Creek community clean up, and Jefferson Area High School Softball Clinic.
The two that I feel were most enriching, meaningful, and fun for me would be the Girl Scout silver award project and the High School softball clinic. For the Silver award, my fellow troopmates (there were 4) and I hosted a week long, eight a.m. to 4 p.m. sports learning camp. This camp was for grades three to six, and for a small price we offered not only a learning experience but a babysitting camp. This was so much fun because I truly enjoyed working with the younger children and helping them learn the different sports, while having a truly enjoyable time. It was enriching for me because over the week, I developed strong friendships with some of the girls in the camp, friendships that still hold true to this day despite the age difference. It was meaningful because I was one of the creators of this program that offered a week long sports camp, and along with my friends we planned the camp, collected registration, made sure that each form that was necessary was filled out, and watched over the children. This camp was the first true large responisibility that my peers and I got to share. It was also a challenge, but the completion of requirements, and what each of us took away from that camp was worth it.
The second project that I was a part of that proved meaningful was the Jefferson High School softball camp. At this time I was a freshman in high school, and just starting my career in varsity athletics so this too was a big deal for me. What made it fun, and meaningful was being able to instuct younger players. At this stage, for many of the younger girls I was seen as a role model for the first time, and it was and exhilirating feeling thinking that one day some of these girls would be in the same spot that I was currently in. So that made it enjoyable, and fun. During both of these camps I was somewhat of a leader, the silver award project I was one of the main leaders, and during the high school clinic, I was just a young player, but still a leader as I was a player.
These were the two projects that stand out greatly in my mind as being meaningful, memorable, exhilirating, fun, and rewarding all at the same time.