Technology (TECH)

The Technology competency centers on the rapid growth in the online realm of student affairs. The ACPA and NASPA define this competency as "the use of digital tools, resources, and technologies for the advancement of student learning, development, and success as well as the improved performance of student affairs professionals" (ACPA NASPA Professional Competencies, 2015,  p. 33). Technology is an essential part of both our lives and the lives of the students we work with. Whether students are creating LinkedIn profiles to begin their job search or posting on Instagram to make connections with others, technology is a key player in the world today. The core of this competency is how to use it for the betterment of our students. 

As of July 2024, I am at the foundational level of this competency. While I am heavily exposed to various forms of technology, I am not experienced with using them in a professional setting.

As a student, I used multiple forms of technological tools to engage my classmates in presentations. Using VoiceThread, Nearpod, and many others, I was able to engage them in learning and help them develop as students.   

As a Campus Organization Leader, I  would create posters and pamphlets for recruitment and engagement purposes. When creating these pieces, I would ensure that I used programs that allowed for alterations to be made so the content could be accessible to all. Furthermore, I was able to access our social media page and assist in managing our social media presence. 

As a Resident Assistant, I was granted access to student records through various programs to use ethically for housing purposes. Also, I would use tools, such as Google Forms to track the engagement of my students and gain their preferences for events to plan for them. I had conversations with students about the importance of digital safety and their digital identity. Whether it is from the lens of the future, employers, or friends, a person's digital identity must be cultivated carefully and purposefully. 

Overall, I am solidly at the foundational level for this competency. I plan on learning more about how to incorporate technology into my professional life and use it to contribute to the success of others. 

To grow through professional development opportunities, the next step for me would be to participate in a cybersecurity initiative at my campus. Understanding our digital identity is incredibly important in our day and age as technology continues to evolve. Being able to partner with campus partners or attend professional development related to safety strategies in the digital world could be helpful when working with students. 

As of May 2026, I would place myself at the lower end of the Intermediate level of this competency. Through my work as a Graduate Hall Director, I have learned and utilized several new software programs in addition to teaching others how to use them. I have worked with different Residence Life software such as Maxient, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, KX Welcome, RMS, Canva, etc. I have been able to teach my coworkers and employees how to set up certain functions to make their work lives easier. For example, I have created numerous instructional guides to use different systems like Canva and Microsoft Teams. Additionally, I have also been able to utilize technology, such as PowerPoint and Microsoft Teams, to create instructional presentations for professional training materials.  I am also in charge of managing the Aspenson Mogensen Hall's Instagram page. Through this responsibility, I have been able to model what an ethical digital presence looks like to my employees and have provided instruction to student employees who post content on the page. (ACPA NASPA Professional Competencies Rubrics, 2016,  p. 33). In my academic work, I have analyzed data sets from the SAA 765 class to create graphics and display information. I have used different presentation programs (including PowerPoint, Canva, VoiceThread, etc.) and writing software to boost my writing and academic output.  Overall, I feel confident in my learning of this competency. While I have not had opportunities in an academic setting to discuss the impacts of technology or provide specific interventions for student learning, this competency is an area in which I plan to grow as I continue my career as a student affairs practitioner.