Professional Competencies in Student Affairs College of Education Colloquium John L. Hoffman, Ph.D.

Leaders in addressing access and equity Emergent scholarship addressing competencies Identifying CompetenciesEvaluating Competencies ACPA & NASPA (in press) ACPA (2008) Burkard, Cole, Ott & Stoflet (2005) CAS (2006) Hickmott & Bresciani (in press) Lovell & Kosten (2000) Cuyjet, Longwell-Grice, & Molina (2009) Herdlein III (2004) Kuk, Cobb, & Forrest (2007) Waple (2006)

Survey Design – n = 400; 275 SSAOs and 125 faculty – Rated 51 discrete knowledge, skill, and dispositional competencies as “desired” for and “currently possessed” by new professionals Mixed Methods/Mixed Model Design – Modified grounded theory examination of 100 student affairs job postings – Coding and analysis of 1,768 job postings – One general study, one assessment focused

Desired Competency: No differences for 49 of 51 discrete competencies Currently Possessed Competency: No differences for 42 of 51 competencies Most significant gaps: Fiscal management Assessment methods Conflict management Collaboration skills Legal standards Written communication Application of theory to practice

Strong emphasis on leadership, collaboration, and training skills as well as on fundamental research and evaluation skills Assessment skills required most often in New Student Programs, Multicultural Services, and Student Activities Assessment skills required least often in Residence Life, Health and Wellness, and Counseling

Advising – High for career services – Low for S.A. admin. Assessment – Low for residence life Communication – High for career services – Low for student activities Diversity – Low for student activities Fund raising – High for multicultural Legal issues – High for S.A. admin. and residence life – Low for career services Teaching/Training – High for residence life – Low for S.A. admin. Technology – High for career services

Jobs Requiring Higher Levels of Education… …Required More: – Advising Skill – Assessment Skill – Diversity Skill – Knowledge of History and Philosophy – Interpersonal Skill – Leadership Skill – Teaching/ Training Skill Jobs Requiring Greater Levels of Experience… …Required More: – Assessment Skill – Communication Skill – Diversity Skill – Interpersonal Skill – Leadership Skill …Required Less: – Advising Skill – Teaching/Training Skill

Extend multicultural competencies to entry- level as well as senior level student affairs professionals Institutionalize funding for multicultural programs and services Assessment – a hidden opportunity