Personal reflections

Introduction Statement

My name is Renaude Etienne Saint-Phard. I am an educational professional who has completed, in August 2017, a PhD in Higher Education Administration at Andrews University where I also obtained a Masters in Divinity degree in 2008. Fundamentally, I believe that education is the foundation and the lasting strength of all nations. Investing in education and embracing the work of redemption are my proven goals as White (1903, p. 19) posited, “True education … has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers.” My heartfelt desire is to fervently dedicate my whole life, body, mind, and soul to true and globalized education from this point on of my existence. As education is being internationalized, there is a need to come together with our students, blend with them, care for them, serve them, and gain their trust. It is crucial. I hope to work in a faith-based university where I will use my educational, administrative, and redemptive tools to carry out Jesus’ mandate in Matt 28:19-20 and make a difference in the Higher Education system. My vitae can be found in the internship portfolio section under the following link: Professional Vitae. My personal refection is found under the following link:  Personal Reflections

In pursuit of my profound interest in education and diversity, I have attended three international tours, (The 2010 Asian Tour, the 2012 Russian Scandinavian Tour and the 2014, Italy Greece Tour). They have inspired me to write my dissertation on challenges and coping mechanisms of international undergraduate students.

My beliefs, actions, and worldviews are grounded in the Bible and Spirit of prophecy, and shaped by my parents, teachers, and educators such as Ellen G. White in her book Education (1903) and Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students Regarding Christian Education, (1913), and John Dewey (1859-1952) on his progressive and reformed education perspectives. Upon the death of my beloved Pastor Alourdin Benoit who was also my mentor, friend and a spiritual father, I have recognized and acknowledged his powerful influence in my life and contributions to my worldview today.  He has impacted not only my spiritual life, but also my educational, ethical, and philosophical values.  His marks in my life will forever be.

The portfolio includes an internship course based on my teaching at Lake Michigan College where I instruct French 1 and 2. The rest of the portfolio consists of four different competencies: Leadership and Organizational Development, Self Development, Interpersonal Development, and Research Development. It also includes a global tour page where I share information on the three international tours that I attended in 2010, 2012, and 2014.

References:

White, E.G. (1903). Education. Boise, Idaho, Pacific Press Publishing Association.

White, E.G. (1913). Counsels to parents, teachers, and students regarding Christian education. Boise,    Idaho, Pacific Press Publishing Association.

  

      

The exploration of globalization of higher education led Robson Marinho, Ph.D. to organize this tour with 24 students in the Higher Education Program. The main focus of this tour was student mobility and intercultural communication.  The goal was to visit St Petersburg State University, Moscow, State University, University of Copenhagen, and University of Helsinsky.

      We first visited the university of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. We sight saw the Little Mermaid, the Renaissance Stock Exchange, Royal Amalienborg Palace, and Christanborg Palace.  We stopped at Stockholm, Sweeden's capital.  We then visited the university of Helsinsky where we viewed Finlandia Hall, the Senate and market squares, weeping boulevards, and the doomed Russian church. Next we went to St Petersburg, where we sight saw the Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St Isaac, and the Statue of Peter the Great.  We visited the Hermitage Museum and St Petersburg University. We all visited the Kremlin Fort, Millenium Monument, and St Sophia Cathedral. We sight saw Moscow, the Russian capital. We also saw the Red Square, Kremlin Walls, and the doomed St Basilic Cathedral.  In Minks, we saw the site of Napoleon's great defeat.  We stopped in Belarus and stopped for pictures. We stayed in Warsaw, Poland's capital where we saw the Warsaw Ghetto, and the landmarks of Warsaw's Old Town. Next, we stopped at Berlin. We saw Berlin's highlights such as, the Reichstag Building to the Tiergarten, Brandenburt Gate, Unter den Linden Boulevard, and the German State Opera House.

This tour was extremely productive and information. I had the privilege of being the spiritual coordinator of the tour, which gave me greater pleasure and brought me special blessings. The educational sessions were enlightening as they added to my practical knowledge. The tour was an educational and spiritual blessing.  It personally helped me to focus on my dissertation on international students. 

We first visited the university of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. We sight saw the Little Mermaid, the Renaissance Stock Exchange, Royal Amalienborg Palace, and Christanborg Palace.  We stopped at Stockholm, Sweeden's capital.  We then visited the university of Helsinsky where we viewed Finlandia Hall, the Senate and market squares, weeping boulevards, and the doomed Russian church. Next we went to St Petersburg, where we sight saw the Tsar's Winter Palace, Nevsky Prospekt, St Isaac, and the Statue of Peter the Great.  We visited the Hermitage Museum and St Petersburg University. We all visited the Kremlin Fort, Millenium Monument, and St Sophia Cathedral. We sight saw Moscow, the Russian capital. We also saw the Red Square, Kremlin Walls, and the doomed St Basilic Cathedral.  In Minks, we saw the site of Napoleon's great defeat.  We stopped in Belarus and stopped for pictures. We stayed in Warsaw, Poland's capital where we saw the Warsaw Ghetto, and the landmarks of Warsaw's Old Town. Next, we stopped at Berlin. We saw Berlin's highlights such as, the Reichstag Building to the Tiergarten, Brandenburt Gate, Unter den Linden Boulevard, and the German State Opera House.

This tour was extremely productive and information. I had the privilege of being the spiritual coordinator of the tour, which gave me greater pleasure and brought me special blessings. The educational sessions were enlightening as they added to my practical knowledge. The tour was an educational and spiritual blessing.  It personally helped me to focus on my dissertation on international students.