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History, Philosophy, and Values

The History, Philosophy, and Values competency area involves knowledge, skills, and attitudes that connect the history, philosophy, and values of the profession to one's current professional practice. This competency area embodies the foundations of the profession from which current and future research and practice will grow. The commitment to demonstrating this competency area ensures that our present and future practices are informed by an understanding of our history, philosophy, and values.

Basic

One should be able to

• describe the foundational philosophies, disciplines, and values on which the profession is built;
• articulate the historical contexts of institutional types and functional areas within higher education and student affairs;
• describe the various philosophies that define the profession;
• demonstrate responsible campus citizenship;
• demonstrate empathy and compassion for student needs;
• describe the roles of both faculty and student affairs educators in the academy;
• explain the importance of service to the academy and to student affairs professional associations;
• articulate the principles of professional practice;
• articulate the history of the inclusion and exclusion of people with a variety of identities in higher education;
• explain the role and responsibilities of the student affairs professional associations;
• explain the purpose and use of publications that incorporate the philosophy and values of the profession;
• explain the public role and societal benefits of student affairs and of higher education generally;
• articulate an understanding of the ongoing nature of history and one's role in shaping it;
• model the principles of the profession and communicate the expectation of the same from colleagues and supervisees; and
• explain how the values of the profession contribute to sustainable practices.

Intermediate

One should be able to

• explain how today's practice is informed by historical context;
• explore new philosophical contexts and approaches;
• participate in opportunities to identify and incorporate emerging values of the profession into one's professional practice;
• actively engage in service to the academy and to student affairs professional associations;
• articulate the similarities and differences of varying international student affairs philosophies;
• teach the principles of the profession to staff;
• explain to staff the public responsibilities of a student affairs professional and the resulting benefits to society;
• articulate how historical lessons will inform one's future practice; and
• critically examine the history of the profession for contemporary meaning.

Advanced

One should be able to

• participate in developing new philosophical approaches and responsive values of the profession;
• partner with faculty for teaching and research regarding the profession;
• expand personal and professional opportunities for civic and global engagement;
• actively engage in service and leadership in the academy and in student affairs professional associations;
• model, encourage, and promote community by reinforcing the long-standing values of the profession;
• contribute to the research and scholarship of the profession;
• actively apply historical lessons to one's future practice;
• engage staff in critically examining history for contemporary meaning;
• demonstrate visionary and forward thinking in the work of the student affairs profession; and
• identify other countries' history and development of student affairs practice.