Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Artifact B Personal and Professional Mission Statements Catie Holker Seattle University
MISSION STATEMENTS
It wasnt until my arrival at Seattle University that I fully comprehended the importance and impact of institutional, organizational, and personal mission statements. At my undergraduate campus, you couldnt find a handful of students who knew the schools mission or even parts of it. Here, on the other hand, just about every student knows all, if not part, of the mission statement, which states Seattle University is dedicated to educating the whole person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just and humane world (Seattle University, 2013). The mission was exposed to me and brought to me in SDA orientation, graduate assistantship training, my classes, and in the way that the university constructs educational paths for students. After two years of learning how it has permeated the culture, SUs mission is something that will stick with me long after I graduate from the program. To me, the fact that this mission statement is well known to the SU populace creates a strong sense of community and generates an important reminder that Redhawk faculty, staff, administrators, and students are all working towards a common goal. I value this sense of family because, as my personal and professional mission statement will reflect, I believe that together we can accomplish more than what we can accomplish alone.
Professional Mission Statement Year after year during college my extra-curricular involvement grew more and more extensive, but despite this fact, near the end of my undergraduate career I found myself with no vocational direction or guidance. All I knew was that I wanted to help and serve people. Just as my time was running out, I began to consider the student affairs route; advisors and mentors
Running head: MISSION STATEMENTS helped me realize that through this vocational venue I could incorporate my passions for psychology, service, and education all in one career.
Every decision since that realization at the end of college has influenced my journey to become a student affairs professional. I have made it my purpose to be a mentor, an activist, an advocate, and life-long learner, all while wearing a smile on my face, keeping faith in my endeavors, and simultaneously reflecting on the past and planning for an inevitably dynamic future. As a first generation college student, I understand the challenge of navigating unfamiliar systems and jargon. My ability to sympathize with the experiences of college students combined with the lessons Ive learned while overcoming personal, educational, social, and financial barriers will help me recognize and support struggling and/or marginalized students. My mission as a student development professional is to inspire students by transforming the educational system with dignity, compassion, and community and consciously engaging with students, staff, professionals, and community members to promote equality and understanding for underrepresented populations.
Personal Mission Statement Each individual has value, has a drive, and cherishes an unconscious or conscious personal purpose that motivates them to advance their education, hobby, or vocation. I believe it is the unique contributions of individuals combined by way of dialogue and networking that creates meaningful ideas that blossom into love, kindness, and integrity within and between communities.
As an idealist and lifelong learner who values deep connections and understanding, my mission is to create and nourish relationships that contribute not only to my career and personal goals, but also to support the success of my friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances while generating a community capable of collaboration and social change.
Seattle University. (2013). Mission, Vision, and Values - About Seattle University. Retrieved January 20, 2013 from http://www.seattleu.edu/about/mission/