December 2013, Issue 12
Message from VPSA
Sam Gonzales
It’s Finals Week at UTSA. Commencement is right around the corner. Our commencement ceremonies at the Alamodome are amazing events. It is a time when the entire university community comes together to celebrate student success. It’s more than just a Student Affairs function; it’s a symbol of our highest aim for all students. I look forward to it each semester.
For many of you, the pace slows down a bit after commencement. The students’ winter break gives us time to prepare for the next semester. I find that it’s a great time to reflect on the past year and reset my goals for the New Year. That process of reflection reminds me of the healthy and balanced living learning goal in our REACH model. One of the outcomes of our programs and services should be to help students understand how to live a healthy and balanced life.
Healthy and balanced living is based on making good decisions in all aspects of life. It involves understanding academic, personal and professional priorities, as well as the impact that choices have on the physical, mental, social and spiritual aspects of well-being.
As we teach that concept to students, it is important to understand the connection to our own lives. How are you spending your time? Are you using your time to its fullest potential to “reach” your goals? Is there sufficient alignment or integration with your personal values and professional goals? Are you demonstrating our excellence model (the Four C’s) in your work tasks?
For example, my reflection process includes taking the time to sit by myself and think about the things that are going on, pending decisions, existing and new programs, etc. In True Colors, I am a dominant green. So it comes as no surprise that I find analysis to be an important part of gaining balance. In thinking about what is coming up, I ask - how am I going to adapt? What is going to be my new priority? It is intertwined with the journey of my own personal values. I think of all the things that were accomplished and ask myself if I am still being true to my values and have we incorporated the core values of the division? How do our next steps fit in to the bigger picture? The answers to those questions inform the new priorities. It is that sense of alignment and balance that helps me to prepare for our next steps as a division.
What does your process of reflection and striving for balance look like? Share it with me by sending an email.
My hope is that you are able to consider these things as you prepare for the spring semester and beyond. I am looking forward to all the New Year will bring. Let’s make it happen in 2014!
Best wishes,
Sam
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