Sunday, October 12, 2014

Education Statement



I believe in Bible based education that provides a holistic and redemptive learning approach to students. I also trust in educational focus on communication processes, decision-making, budgets and parent-communication relations, resources allocation, and unity in diversity. My goals are to use my utmost skills, knowledge, and experiences to contribute to the higher education administration system in areas of needs, especially with international students to promote unity in diversity.
As the world is constantly changing due to economic and social issues, the U.S. higher education system needs to find new adaption and survival techniques in this age of globalization. Institutions require the guidance and expertise of well-trained and qualified educational administrators to lead, teach, supervise, and maintain their standards in good shape. The educational organization has a civic moral responsibility towards our students, the society or community of human beings. This accountability is not only geared toward society, but most importantly toward God as recommended in the Great Commission.  
My teaching ministry started in my childhood when I convened less fortunate children than I who were deficient in certain subjects, to teach them and help enhance their understanding.  A neighbor who noticed my passion in teaching predicted that I would turn out to be a teacher one day.  When I first joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in New York, noticing that the elderly had difficulty understanding English, I volunteered to teach them. I have also taught refugees from many parts of the world on how to adapt in order to attain self-sufficiency in this country. When I preach, I also take pleasure in teaching to ensure that the message came across and was understood. 
My administrative skills began when my mother put me in charge to make financial decisions in her absence although I was the third child in the family. Those skills grew with those position in administration that I held through the years in my professional journey as medical office coordinator and manager, Refugee Resettlement director, American International Group (AIG) agent. In these diverse roles, I have worked with people , developed new worldviews, embraced diversity, unfolded management and administrative skills, and cultivated teaching skills, which make me today a resilient educator and administrator. 

     Circumnavigating the educational and professional roads has redefined my worldviews and refined my philosophy. Today I believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). While navigating the path of Higher Education Administration, I have found my true identity, unfolded and acquired new skills, talents, gifts, and increased my knowledge.  As I am nearing my graduation date, I feel fueled with the courage and strength to embark in the ministry that the Lord has in store for me.   
My greatest professional accomplishment in the next ten years will be to play an active part in reconciling the goal of excellence in education with the broader and deeper consideration of society and the needs of the public community. As the need for more educational administrators is growing not only in the Seven-day-Adventist arena, but also in every part of the world, my completion of the degree in Higher Education Administration represents an asset for the higher education system nationally and globally.