Statement of Interest When asked to describe my plans for graduate school, I vividly recall the journey that has enabled me to choose the current direction in which I am headed. Four years ago, I entered the University of Central Arkansas as a young woman with every intention to pursue a career as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
Upon my entry, I immediately began to undertake coursework in the degree of Communication Science and Disorders. I was certain this career path was the right choice for me, so I began to work diligently in my classes and strived for excellence in and out of the classroom. In May of 2018, I will be a graduate of the University Central Arkansas having completed my undergraduate degree; however, I have decided that obtaining a Master degree in Communication Science and Disorders is no longer the next step I want to take in my life. Due to professional experiences, I have realized the field of Higher Education Administration is the career in which I see myself excelling, and an area I am passionate about pursuing. I would like to obtain my master’s degree at the University of Arkansas in hopes of obtaining a prestigious degree like no other. I was raised in a family that valued higher education, with various family members that obtained Master and Doctoral degrees.
My mother graduated with a Masters of Education at Southern Methodist University, and my father with a Masters of Education at Stephen F. Austin State University. My father is now a retired school administrator, and was a very successful Superintendent at various schools during his tenure. Through his leadership I have witnessed the true meaning of what it takes to be an accomplished leader in higher education. While it may appear that I have completely changed the course of my life, I simply believe that I was fortunate enough to discover my passion for higher education at a time that is perfect for me.
It is a decision that I believe suits me well, and I am excited to see where the journey takes me. My ultimate career destination is to become a Higher Education Administrator working as a director in the field of my choice. Ultimately, I know I have a passion for higher education, as I have grown to love academia and its potential to shape the lives of so many. When I entered college, I knew I wanted to get involved in an organization on campus that gives back to the community apart from being a collegiate Track and Field athlete for the University of Central Arkansas. In the spring of 2015, I was fortunate enough to be chosen on UCA’s Student Orientation Staff as a freshman through my senior year. The Student Orientation Staff is a unique organization that helps assist new students in their academic, personal, cultural, and social transitions to the University of Central Arkansas. SOS has empowered me with stronger leadership, the ability to communicate and properly speak with prospective students, parents, and prestigious faculty members.
Through those experiences, I have gained confidence and poise in my communication skills. The experiences I have gained through my time on SOS will help me when communicating with peers, professors, and faculty members at the University of Arkansas. Due to the Student Orientation Staff Organization, it has sparked my interest to purse a degree in Higher Education Administration and working with others at the collegiate level. If admitted to the University of Arkansas in the field of Higher Education, my future aspirations would be to become the Director of New Student Programs at the university level to lead and inspire incoming college students to reach for their dreams like my Student Orientation Staff director inspired me.
I know I have the skills to be successful within the field of Higher Education, but I also believe I possess the perfect personality that will excel me within the field. I am a very creative and optimistic individual with exceptional communication skills. I feel confident that these three, along with my many other attributes, will be an excellent contribution in the field of Higher Education graduate program at the University of Arkansas. I believe that being a strong communicator is an important quality to have in any professional setting, but also presents itself as integral in everyday life applications. Optimism is another important quality I possess. I always strive to see the good in others in every situation. Being an optimist gives me a reason to look at the world in a hopeful and confident way. I know through my continued positive attitude, I will be successful in graduate school and in my future career.
Although my optimism and communication skills are pristine, I view my creativity as my most valuable quality. I have always been an out of the box thinker, and I find myself constantly coming up with new ideas and solutions. My strong creativity skills can be seen through the work I conducted when asked to help administer UCA events during my time on the Student Orientation Staff. I enjoyed creating team building activities for the groups I lead and organizing games for our prospective students. I always feel a sense of accomplishment when my ideas can blossom into reality. Once an event is completed; however, I also believe in the importance of creating new ideas to improve future events. I recognize that the field of higher education is constantly evolving, so it is very important for me to be able to adapt to the changes, and I feel very well equipped for these changes.
My ultimate goal is to be accepted at the University of Arkansas in the fall of 2018 for a Masters degree in Higher Education Administration. I feel I would be an asset for the graduate program due to my experiences and knowledge in student affairs. The passion I would bring to the Higher Education program at the University of Arkansas would be second to none through my dedication, strive for excellence, and optimistic outlook. My dream has always been to attend the University of Arkansas, and I would love to be given the opportunity to be a part of such prestigious university with an outstanding reputation that University of Arkansas exhibits.
