My Philosophy
In 1999, I chose to attend Marquette University. As a first generation college student, I cannot claim this decision was well calculated or thought out, but what transpired in those four years allowed me to not only learn and practice a trade that turned into my first career; but also learn and practice what it meant to be a woman for others and to be the difference which turned into my heart's work.
That being said, my philosophy aligns very closely with Marquette's mission involving: excellence, faith, leadership, and service. An overarching theme in each of these areas is the dynamic relationship I have with them, as they are ever-changing in my life.
Graduating high school, I was decorated with honors and showered with awards. My head filled with calculus, physics, and a sprinkling of computer programming. This was excellence to me. I saw education as a ladder and I was at the highest rung. I was learning and understanding things that seemed difficult to grasp for others and this would lead to successful career. However, as I transformed and my worldview expanded, excellence came to mean so much more. Excellence meant caring for the whole person: my intellect was important, absolutely. But so was my heart, spirit, and moral compass. Excellence means caring for and growing all areas of my life, while also making myself a priority.
Faith is an area in my life that leaves me the most vulnerable, but arguably the most humbled. I was raised a Roman Catholic and many members of my congregation watched me grow up in the front pew of our church. Attending a Jesuit and Catholic university for both my undergraduate and graduate education allowed me to keep my faith at the forefront of my being but also challenged me to complicate my definition of faith to include social justice and equity. So, as I continue to explore these muddied waters, faith means embracing the opportunity to be a woman for others.
While obtaining my graduate degree, leadership became an interest, no ... an obsession of mine. I believe there are as many definitions of leadership as there are people providing them. My definition centers around the Social Change Model and involves positive change for the common good. Leadership is everywhere. Leadership means responsibility for integrating social change consistently in our lives.
Service is an area of my life that has always been present. My parents raised me to always help others and to practice good citizenship. However, an important part of this journey was learning the difference between philanthropy, direct service, and indirect service. It was also important for me to learn the role my privileges played in my service. But the core of who I am as a servant leader remains true: service is having a life breathe easier because I have lived (paraphrased from a quote attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson).
My role as an educator and designer is one I take seriously. We are all teachers and learners in this environment and as such, we must count on one another. My expectations are high because I know what is possible. I believe my purpose is to help individuals and organizations grow, as well as support intellectual and professional development, challenge assumptions, and expand worldviews. I am personally vested in this success or failure because I care deeply in growth and education.
That being said, my philosophy aligns very closely with Marquette's mission involving: excellence, faith, leadership, and service. An overarching theme in each of these areas is the dynamic relationship I have with them, as they are ever-changing in my life.
Graduating high school, I was decorated with honors and showered with awards. My head filled with calculus, physics, and a sprinkling of computer programming. This was excellence to me. I saw education as a ladder and I was at the highest rung. I was learning and understanding things that seemed difficult to grasp for others and this would lead to successful career. However, as I transformed and my worldview expanded, excellence came to mean so much more. Excellence meant caring for the whole person: my intellect was important, absolutely. But so was my heart, spirit, and moral compass. Excellence means caring for and growing all areas of my life, while also making myself a priority.
Faith is an area in my life that leaves me the most vulnerable, but arguably the most humbled. I was raised a Roman Catholic and many members of my congregation watched me grow up in the front pew of our church. Attending a Jesuit and Catholic university for both my undergraduate and graduate education allowed me to keep my faith at the forefront of my being but also challenged me to complicate my definition of faith to include social justice and equity. So, as I continue to explore these muddied waters, faith means embracing the opportunity to be a woman for others.
While obtaining my graduate degree, leadership became an interest, no ... an obsession of mine. I believe there are as many definitions of leadership as there are people providing them. My definition centers around the Social Change Model and involves positive change for the common good. Leadership is everywhere. Leadership means responsibility for integrating social change consistently in our lives.
Service is an area of my life that has always been present. My parents raised me to always help others and to practice good citizenship. However, an important part of this journey was learning the difference between philanthropy, direct service, and indirect service. It was also important for me to learn the role my privileges played in my service. But the core of who I am as a servant leader remains true: service is having a life breathe easier because I have lived (paraphrased from a quote attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson).
My role as an educator and designer is one I take seriously. We are all teachers and learners in this environment and as such, we must count on one another. My expectations are high because I know what is possible. I believe my purpose is to help individuals and organizations grow, as well as support intellectual and professional development, challenge assumptions, and expand worldviews. I am personally vested in this success or failure because I care deeply in growth and education.