Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Reflection Paper: Reliving My College Experience

Haniyyah Bashir
University at Buffalo
ELP 523: Student Affairs Capstone
Spring 2016

Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Reflection Paper: Reliving My College Experience

As I reflect on my experiences at the University at Buffalos Student Affairs
Administration program, the way I naturally processed my growth is by looking at these past
four semesters as four academic years. From my freshmen semester to my senior semester, I
noticed immense personal, professional, and academic changes within myself. In this paper, I
will provide a thoughtful reflection about my growth throughout the program and offer multiple
examples to explain reasons for those changes. I thoughtfully selected fourteen assignments and
five artifacts that reflect my various academic and professional commitments during the duration
of the Student Affairs Administration program.
Freshman: Fall 2014
During my freshman semester, I was enthusiastic about attending graduate school
initially, learning about Student Affairs as a career choice, and how I can make an impact on the
students that I encounter on a college campus. With this positive life change toward my masters
degree, it produced stress as I experienced increased personal freedom, had increased adult
responsibilities, struggled with time management and academic content, had difficulty adapting
to the different surroundings and relationships on campus, and my relationships with family and
friends from my undergrad experience changed. I decided to live on campus and in order to pay
my tuition for the first time, I had to apply for a credit card. Being in theatre/dance/childhood
education studies for undergrad, I was more familiar with writing lesson plans, and reading and
analyzing plays and dance pieces than using APA format or reading 150 pages of critical
literature. I did not always feel happy, comfortable, or secure as a member of the UB community.
I cried every Monday of my freshman semester because I had difficulty managing all my
emotions in this new place. My support system changed as I was dealing with a break up from a

Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

long relationship of over 6 years. I survived my freshman semester by leaning on others who
were going through the same challenges of adjusting and transitioning to this new environment.
I completed four courses: ELP 502: Historical Bases of Higher Education, ELP 513: Cultural
Diversity in Higher Education; ELP 516: Student Affairs Administration; ELP 686: Intro to
Professional Practice.
ELP 502: Historical Bases of Higher Education
Lift Every Voice and Sing: The Development of Black Student Unions in Higher
Education. I chose this paper because the assignment gave me the opportunity to write about a
topic that I was interested in and passionate about instead of it being pre-selected for me. It
taught me to take control of my education and my career and make it what I want it to be. When
I was in my undergrad, I created a black student organization, Umoja, that provided a safe space
to discuss our experiences on campus, learn about the issues, and educate the rest of the campus
community about students of African descent. I wanted to incorporate my personal experiences
into my academic and professional experiences. Black Student Unions (BSU) function as a
mechanism to give voice to an under-represented population that was silenced because of
oppression for so long.
ELP 513: Cultural Diversity in Higher Education
Social Justice Immersion Project: Taking A Closer Look at Social Identity Focusing
On Asian American College Students. I chose this paper because it taught me to get
comfortable with being uncomfortable. I firmly believe that you can only grow when you
challenge yourself to feel awkward and uncomfortable in new situations. Every day I hope to
learn something new about my identity that will help better understand other identities. Raising
awareness about different cultures and embracing cultural similarities are a part of our learning

Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

experiences. As a student affairs professional, I want to continue to facilitate difficult dialogues

about privilege, power, and difference that will sometimes feel uncomfortable.
ELP 516: Student Affairs Administration
Exploring Black in A Sea of White Faces: Addressing the Needs of African American
Students at Predominantly White Institutions. I chose this paper from this class because as we
learned about different institutional types, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCU) student experience resonated with me. As a high school senior looking at college
options, I was the student who chose not to apply to any HBCUs because I wanted to be around
diverse people, which is a common myth that black high school students have. In
understanding the benefits of a HBCU education, I had to get rid of my personal bias toward that
institutional type as I proposed the idea of an exchange program for PWI students to get the
chance to experience what it is like to attend a HBCU, while HBCU students will get the option
of exploring the campus community at a PWI for a semester.
ELP 686: Intro to Professional Practice
Reflection Letter to A First Semester Student Affairs Administration Student at UB.
I chose this paper because it forced me to reflect on my first semester in a way that I allowed me
to use my struggles to provide support and possible mentorship to someone else who may need
it. I talked about the influential people who I leaned on for me to make it through as well as
provided advice.
Artifact: Photo of UB Step Troupe
I selected a photo of UB Step Troupe because they helped with my transition from a
small college campus to a large university by providing a outlet of stress relief doing what I love
and providing comfort of being around people of color who just understand. This particular

Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

photo was taken before our step performance at Binghamton University's Caribbean Student
Association competition. That was one of my first performances as a member of UB Step
Troupe. UB Step Troupe has had an influential impact on my experience as a graduate student as
it started off as a co-curricular activity and transformed into professional development as a club
advisor.
Artifact: Photo of Black Solidarity Day Rally
I chose this artifact because I never viewed myself as an advocate or activist until this
moment when I transform my awareness, knowledge, and skills into action. This photo was taken
after UB Black Student Union's Black Solidarity Day unity rally. Black Solidarity Day is
observed to recognize black pride, self- determination, self-reliance, and cultural reidentification. On this day every year, I proudly wear all-black clothing, take a day off from work
and school if possible, participate in Black liberation events, and only support Black-owed
businesses. That was the first time that I ever advocated for campus issues by marching with a
sign that asked for unity and it definitely will not be the last that I advocate for social change.
Sophomore: Spring 2015
During my sophomore semester, I felt like I took on too many responsibilities as a
graduate assistant, member of the step team, and attending general body meetings at several
student organizations. I was not satisfied with my first semester grades and I wanted to change
that so I decided to focus my time into my academics as I felt comfortable in the academic
setting. I achieved my goal of attaining a 4.0 that semester for the first time in my life. I lost
more weight than I thought I could ever and I managed my stress better than I did the first
semester knowing where to go when I need something or someone. I still did not love being in
Buffalo or at UB. I completed four courses: ELP 505: Organization & Governance, ELP 509:

Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

American College Student; ELP 514: Student Development Theory; ELP 520: Counseling for
Student Affairs.
ELP 505: Organization & Governance
Niagara Frontier State College Proposal. I chose this paper because this was the most
frustrating project I had to complete. I have never been in a group of 8 people before and it
taught me so much about group dynamics especially in Higher Education when everyone has
their own job responsibilities and collaborating with others is not first on their priority list. I am
definitely proud of the work that we produced.
ELP 509: American College Student
Shining Light On SUNY UB's EOP Students' Adjustment to College. I chose this
paper because I had to interview EOP students about their experience and link it to the research
that we learned in class. Engagement and transitions to college campuses is one of my interest in
Student Affairs so conducting this research and talking about it was very rewarding.
ELP 514: Student Development Theory
Frindle #1. I chose this paper because I learned how to take useful notes and highlight
the important information for my sometimes overwhelming readings. Although many students
expressed frustrations about writing frindles, I actually having them so I can look back through
them and use my work as a resource.
ELP 520: Counseling for Student Affairs
Helping Session Transcript. I chose this paper because it was the first time I ever
transcribed anything and I felt so proud with how confident I was when I spoke with the student
about her experiences as transfer student. It was so natural the way I used Egans SOLER

Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

(Square, Open, Leaning, Eye Contact, and Relax) method to actively listen and ask open ended
questions.
Junior: Fall 2015
After my amazing life-changing experience as an ACUHO-I intern, Resident
Director of Sports Camp at Brown University, I struggled with transitioning back to Buffalo and
the UB community. During my junior year, I reflected often on what Ive already accomplished
while looking ahead to life after graduation. I felt anxious about what comes next and the job
search began so I wanted to make sure I expanded my experience so I could market them on
resume to successfully start my career. I joined the Western New York Student Leadership
Conference Committee as well as became an intern in the Intercultural and Diversity Center. I
became the Senate for our departments Graduate Student Association and had the official title of
graduate advisor for UB Step Troupe. My courses seemed more academically rigorous and I was
not motivated by the content that I was learning. I got closer to my friends that I met the year
prior, but this was probably the first semester that I articulated that I hate school. I loved
learning, but I was not happy about how my classes were going. I completed three courses: ELP
507: Financing Higher Education, ELP 539: Program Evaluation & Assessment; ELP 693:
Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs.
ELP 507: Financing Higher Education
Financial Crisis Through the Lens of a Higher Education Administrator and a
Student. I chose this paper because it challenged me to look at finances from a higher education
administrator perspective and not just as a poor struggling college student. When you are paying
the expensive bill, you do not always get the opportunities to understand where your money is
going and now I do.

Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

ELP 539: Program Evaluation & Assessment

Final Evaluation Plan: Intercultural and Diversity Centers Advocacy in the
Community. I chose this paper because I was able to assess a program that I plan and execute
through my internship in the Intercultural and Diversity Center. I appreciated the real world
application of the content and share it with my supervisor to make changes to my program for
the following semester.
ELP 693: Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs
Multicultural Competency Portfolio. I chose this assignment because it was given the
task to complete a self-assessment of the multicultural competencies, complete a campus
assessment, and compile artifacts that made me the Student Affairs professional that I am today. I
liked being able to express my gain academic and professional experiences in a different form
other than a traditional paper.
Artifact: Turkey Express Prezi Presentation
I chose this artifact because the Buffalo City Missions Turkey Express Program was one
of the big projects that I coordinate and oversee at Medaille College. During this junior semester,
I had an accidentally increase of Turkey Express bags that needed to be decorated because they
gave us 1000 bags instead of 900 bags. I created a Prezi Presentation to inform students about
Poverty and Homelessness in Buffalo and Western New York as it relates to the Buffalo City
Mission Turkey Express program.
Artifact: Flyer for IDC's Advocacy in the Community
I chose this artifact because Advocacy in the Community was program that I executed in
the Intercultural and Diversity Center for each themed month. My first event was for Hispanic
Heritage Month and the guest speaker was Casimiro D. Rodriguez Sr. who represented the

Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York. He discussed the history of the organization,
the issues within the Hispanic community in Buffalo, and ways that UB students could get
involved. The next semester we re-evaluated the goals of the program and decided to focus on
how student organizations at UB advocate for campus community issues instead of Buffalo
community at large.
Senior: Spring 2016
My senior semester is definitely one of the most exciting as I am anxious to leave Buffalo
and I took several trips anytime I could. I attended The Placement Exchange and the NASPA
Conference in Indianapolis, which I loved because I had the opportunity to meet so many
wonderful people in the field and make meaningful connections with the Black Student Affairs
Professionals network. I received 3 on campus interviews with Loyola University-New Orleans,
Providence College, and Tulane University. I received an offer with Loyola after 2 of my on
campus interviews and I feel they are my institutional fit so I cancelled my last interview. I took
a weekend getaway trip with a close friend to Washington, D.C. My supervisor at my graduate
assistantship with Medaille left the institution and I had to take on the responsibilities of the
Director of the office. I successfully passed my comprehensive exam, which not only means that
I am definitely graduating, but that my program feels that I can successfully handle issues on
campus as a Student Affairs professional. I am in the process of completing three courses: ELP
510: College Access and Choice, ELP 582: Multicultural Education: Theory and Practice; ELP
523: Capstone Seminar for Student Affairs.

Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

10

ELP 510: College Access and Choice

My College Choice Experience Journal Entry. I chose this paper because I reflected on
my college choice experience and made me feel extremely grateful to have the foundation that
Ive had academically and with family.
ELP 582: Multicultural Education: Theory and Practice
ABC Project: Beginning The Journey Toward Making a Positive Difference. I chose
this assignment because I was able to critically analyze my life and compare it to someone elses
to increase my understanding of the assigned literature. Looking back on my growth, I feel that I
am more comfort in my identity and this project reaffirm that for me. I can not expect my
students to be open and share their life stories with me if I am not willing to share my life
experiences with them.
ELP 523: Capstone Seminar for Student Affairs
Reflections On Readings Past. I chose this assignment because I was able to reflect on
the literature that resonated with me the most as it relates to my passions of understanding social
identity in the field.
Artifact: NASPA Jim Rhatigan Fellowship Scholarship Submission
#BlackCollegeStudentLivesMatter Youtube Video
I chose this artifact because I have never entered into a scholarship competition and won
before. I am really proud of this accomplishment as I produced a maximum 2-3 minute video on
a current hot topic / trend in higher education today and provide historical context on how it
became "hot." I discussed my curiosity of black college student activism on campus past,
present, and what we can predict for the future, while defraying the cost of the NASPA Annual
Conference that Ive always wanted to attend. I used iMovie for the first time and out of all of

Running head: RELIVING MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

11

the submission that chose me to be a NASPA Jim Rhatigan Fellowship Scholarship recipient to
receive $500.
Conclusion
It is important for me to take time to reflect on my past so I know where I am going in the
future. The past four semesters have been an emotional rollercoaster, but I would not change it
for the world. UBs Student Affairs Administration program has made me the Student Affairs
professional that I am today. Academically, Ive changed as I am able to substantially support my
arguments with literatures and theory so I can apply it to my practice. Personally, Ive never felt
so confident in my knowledge and my identity. Professionally, Ive changed from a being a
person who knows the issues on college campuses to being the person who is willing to take a
stand on the issues and advocate for my students. I look forward to the future ahead.