Competency 5: Professional Behavior

Ultimately we can hope that every college graduate leaves there formal education taking with them the competency of professional behavior. This competency will allow students to enter the work force with the work ethic and behaviors that produce successful people. Responsibility, good work habits, ethical decision making, the value of community service, and quality human relations are some of the biggest characteristics that employers look for in new employees. Graduates with this competency should be able to:

•Set standards in the workplace with hard work, perseverance and ethical decision making.
•Show the value of social equity and civil service, through everyday actions.
•Take responsibility for actions, and behaviors.

Through the work I have done in and out of class during my education at the University of Alaska Southeast, one competency I have achieved if the value of professional behavior. I first really began to understand this core value after learning more about leadership, ethics, and community through several classes and programs at the university.
I have attended several leadership training programs including the 2004 Leadership Summit, and in classes such as, Leadership in the College Environment (ED 393), and Leadership II (Comm 420)which I later TAed for. These classes thought me many values of leaders, and many if not all of them dealt directly with profession attitude in the workplace, along with ethical decision making.


Leadership Summit Participation Certificate
Chancellor's Leader of Distinction Award
Chancellor's Leader of Distinction Award Program Bio Insert
Teaching Assistant Certificate of Achievement
Letter of Recommendation from Vice Provost Vicki Orazem

I have also found a great passion for leadership and student services on UAS Student Housing. I have worked many years for them but the last two years I have served as a Peer Advocate helping educate student on health and wellness issues. This on campus job is a para-professional role where all employees are to act with utmost professional behavior. In February, shortly after UAS started it’s Student Employee of the Month program I was awarded for “exemplary service and outstanding contributions to the University”.

University of Alaska Student Employee of the Month Award
-Link To Article

I have also received awards from the residence life manager , and interim vice chancellor for “outstanding leadership and service” in the UAS community.


2007 Peer Advocacy Award
2008 Peer Advocacy Award

In addition to awards, My direct supervisor evaluates our performance on several different categories: Administrative duties, community development ad student relations, intervention skills and crisis management, Bulletin Boards, programming, Staff relations, character and public relations, and attitude and moral. I scored high on each category evaluated, meeting all expectations and often exceeding them.

Peer Advocate End of Year Evaluation 1 2 3 4 5

Volunteering my talents and time, is something I have also grown to enjoy throughout my experience at UAS. At the last "Vagina Monologues" that students from the school produced for the community to raise awareness for women and domestic violence, I volunteered to be in charge of set design, including painting an elaborate backdrop.

Vagina Monologues Performance and Backdrop

I have also volunteered my time for various programs sponsored by the school including, "Junior's Day", various student panels, "Global Gala", "UAS X-Games", and "Boozin' and Losin'" a program which bring in the Juneau-Douglass police to talk to student about how alcohol affects everyone differently, and the dangers and consequences of abusing the substance.


Photo of Student Panel I participated on during "Boozin' and Loosin'"

Quality of work and professional behavior is a competency that is very important to me. I try to show it with the respect, and vigor in my school work, and also practice it in my professional life. I have worked as the assistant to the vice provost, assisted in developing the TRiO program, working as a TRiO mentor, and assisting Professors in classes such as Humanities 120 and Leadership 220/420. I have also been in the English club, was a founding member of the Student Activities Board, led Fall Student orientation several years, and have given perspective student campus tours. Most recently I have taken up the role as peer advocate, a demanding but rewarding job.

Letter of Recommendation from Scott Christain
Letter of Recommendation Rebecca Taylor
Website For TRiO Program