Applying Student Development Theories to Experiences of Interviewees

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Introduction As student affairs practitioners, using and understanding student development theories is a key factor within our responsibilities. We must learn how to apply different theories to certain situations that will arise with our students on the college campus. Student development theories can also be vital in understanding why students may act the way they do. Student development theories can be defined as a way that a student grows, progresses, or increases his or her development capabilities, as a result of enrollment in an institution of higher education. Moreover, there are three types of development, which are change, growth, and development (Giroir, 2013). In this particular assignment, I am asked to interview a college graduate or student. I was also challenged to use different student development theories to explain my interviewee development. I chose to interview one of my fraternity brothers, who work in higher education. Doing the interview, I had some target questions that I wanted ask. I asked the interviewee questions relating to their relations to others, their personal growth, and their college journey. I will use Chickering’s Theory of Identity Development and Perry’s Theory of Intellectual and Ethical Development. Background Information My fraternity brother Jeremy is a college graduate, who is currently working at a university here in Little Rock, Arkansas. Jeremy works with first generation college student, with most of them begin African-Americans males. Jeremy grew up in a small country city in Arkansas. Jeremy chose this university to attend because he received an academic scholarship INTERVIEWS Forge, 3 and he wanted to move to a metropolitan city so he could experience a different way of living. J... ... middle of paper ... ...o demonstrate his development through his college experiences. Finally, I think Perry’s Theory of Intellectual and Ethical Development could be used to describe Jeremy in his college experience. I think as Jeremy progressed through his college years he has a relativistic thought process. When Jeremy first entered college, he was in a basic duality. He would be described as seeing the world dichotomous as an example of good-bad, right-wrong. Conclusion In closing, interviewing Jeremy was very interesting. I see a complete change from the person he told me he used to be; to the person he is today. I think his life is a great testimony for other students. I think what is doing in his career with working with other students like he used to be is such a great reward for him. This assignment has given me some practice with using different theories in practical situations.

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