Joann Zhang

Through this portfolio, you'll learn how I met each of the five CSSA Program Competencies and how my journey through the program has helped me developed more knowledge, skills, and confidence. I developed these competencies through our classes, real work experiences (internships and assistantships), and attending on-campus events and through reflection whether it was to self-reflection or engaging in conversations with others.

 

Being a first-generation college student, I didn't really know what to expect coming into graduate school. I never really had any desire to go nor did I think I would be successful. I could see my lack of institutional knowledge play a role in how I prepared for graduate school, but due to support from my cohort, advisor, and program instructors, I was able to persist. Thank you, to my cohort, advisor and program instructors (more thanks to come).

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There were many things that I enjoyed about our program. One highlight was learning about student development theories. It was truly an “ah-ha moment” to realize my experiences growing up were not only shared by others but actually captured in a theory! Being a Chinese-American, whose parents emigrated from China with minimal formal education, I really struggled with my identity. My undergraduate experience began chipping away my insecurities evolving my identity and now with the knowledge I’ve gained through graduate school, I am more confident about who I am.  To be able to read theories that I resonated with and learn about the experiences from other students of color, I couldn’t help but shake my head and internally yell ‘yes!!’ Though at the time of student development theory, I kept questioning the point of these theories, I am now so thankful I have these tools under my tool belt. Understanding the different theories will help me realize where students are in their development and how I can best support them. I look forward to connecting with other students who are first-generation, students of color, or even students who are struggling with their transition to college and say: “yes, you do belong here, and you can do it.”

 

My passion for student affairs relates directly back to my experience being a first-generation, Chinese-American with little institutional knowledge. I remember feeling lost on UO’s campus (literally and figurtively) and asking myself who am I supposed to talk to about what the heck I am supposed to be doing? I also remember driving home with my brother after IntroDucktion and thinking about dropping out before school even started. It is with my personal experience that drove me to my passion for helping students feel supported and connected to a college campus. My professional experience at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) reassured me that, yes, higher education is where I want to be. At MHCC, I got to meet prospective students and help them apply for community college. It was fulfilling to help them navigate something that I struggled with. However, I wanted more. I wanted to continue helping those students, after they’ve applied to school and support them throughout their educational journey. I then realized in order to do that successfully, I need to earn my Masters.  

 

I was hesitant to apply, to accept and to come to OSU for graduate school. I was comfortable with being comfortable at MHCC and living in Portland. Today, I am so thankful that I challenged myself to take a risk and to take part in the CSSA program. I came into the program with a special focus in mind, service-learning, which has morphed into community engagement and social justice. So much of service-learning is about engaging the community and being mindful of the levels of privilege and oppression. In my portfolio, you’ll learn more about how I came to refocus my graduate school focus and how my experiences have impacted me.

 

It is hard to believe that two years have come and gone. And as uncertain I am about leaving the community I called home over the last two years, I feel ready to share my experience and knowledge that I have gained through OSU and the CSSA program. Please stay connected with me and the adventures that await!