Values, Assumptions, & Beliefs*

• We believe the purpose of student affairs work is facilitating learning.
• We believe student affairs work is involved in, and contributes to, the moral and ethical life of the institution.
• We value the use of systematic inquiry for understanding, informing, and improving student affairs practice.
• We value the “whole student”, not only as an intellectual, but also as a social, moral, and emotional being.
• We value self-understanding and encourage opportunities for self-reflection and understanding.
• We value reflective and intentional student affairs practice.
• We believe effective student affairs professionals are good stewards of institutional values and their own individual gifts.
• We value diverse experiences, perspectives, and learning processes.
• We value professionalism and assume our students are committed to the development of their professional identity.
• We value the learning community: faculty, students, GSDA, adjunct faculty, practitioner partners, and neighboring institutions.
• We value the acquisition and use of helping skills as a means of making effective change with students.
• We value active learning through practica, internships, assistantships and volunteer activities which allow experimentation, involvement, reflection, and feedback.
• We hold high expectations of students’ performance in and out of the classroom.

*These values were first adopted by the GPSA Faculty in January 1998 and are revisited and reaffirmed each year.

Download the full statement (PDF)