In HIAD 7444, I had to locate one research-based article on diversity and study it. Through this assignment, I had to read, review and analyze statistical information. By way of constructing an article review, I successfully addressed the goal of the study, the target audience, the method used to receive information and lastly, I interpreted the results the data concluded.

In HIAD 7444, I was assigned to debate with another peer over topics related to higher education. In effort to build a case against my opponent, I had to read an article titled, Learning in the Shadow of Race and Class, and identify issues I thought were relevant to the debate, but also reflected issues of public policy. The issue identified and debated on were related to minority access into higher education and affirmative action.

The artifact that best represents my competency to look at the world and ideas from multiple viewpoints is the third instalment of my Autoethnography. For this assignment, I engaged in informal and unstructured conversation with someone who I was familiar with and someone that I was not as familiar with. Through each conversation, I was exposed to a different perspective on diversity and how experiences assist in the way one views the world. As I reflected on each conversation, I was able to adopt a different viewpoint and analyze how that influences my thoughts and ideas on today’s society.

For my semester project in HIAD 7440, Student Personnel Services in Higher Education, I chose to research academic support services and the relationship it has on career outcomes for Division 1 student-athletes. Student-athletes are a unique population of students, thus their atypical lifestyles provides for a different college experience than the traditional college student. My research demonstrates how forces and interrelationships shape the way collegiate athletes operate in a college environment. My findings gave me a better understanding of their behavior and how perception influences their ability to succeed academically, socially, and post collegiately. This assignment gave me a better understanding of this population and allowed me to provide recommendations institutions can make to better serve this group of students.