Leezel Ramos

My mentor recently gave me some tough love as she checked my intentions and insecurities about my professional development goals. Having the urge to play “catch up” to my esteemed peers who have recently graduated, continuing on to their second year, or about to embark on the student affairs graduate school journey - I was beginning feel insecure about where I was in my life. 

“There’s a difference between emulating role models and comparing yourself to others - apples and oranges. The only person you compare yourself to is who you were yesterday.”

She was right.

“You need to recognize and validate your own experience in community organizing.”

And yes, I don’t think I share enough about what I do outside of my daytime job and it’s this work I’m needed in even before pursuing a graduate program. There aren’t many of us who do it, so when I find folks who share the same desire to move the Filipino American community forward (in whatever way their talents lead them to) it’s an instant connection. I’ve been blessed to have come across individuals that have turned into lifelong friends… I owe it to them and myself to highlight some of the latest projects that I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of. :)

The very same drive that I feel for student affairs is also the root of why I care so much about organizing. It’s community beyond graduation, higher education beyond the institution. It’s work that I can see myself do for the rest of my life along with student affairs… and ultimately fusing the two loves together into community based student services. In a society where Filipino Americans are often “the forgotten Asian Americans,” the dream of creating a pipeline of student leaders to community leaders to civic leaders is why I do this work. 

In the words of Tupac, “I’m not saying I’m going to change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the mind that will…”

PS. Click here to view a shout-out of San Diego youth introducing themselves to Lakas Mentorship Program in Southern California’s Inland Empire!

After NUFP pre-con the opening video on the first official day of the conference was so powerful and moving it almost brought me to tears. Words highlighted like justice, advocacy, progress, diversity, and power of one are just a few that from history we learn to better serve students and shape the future. My grandmother lived through some of the most pivotal moments of recent history and had to fight for her rights as a woman of color, an immigrant to this country, and a person of faith to provide opportunity of her children and grandchildren. By keeping her stories of struggle, hardships, and triumph with me, it is like what the Romans said, “We… rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us” (Romans 5;3-5). I live the legacy of my grandmother and move to be part of a profession that is my true calling. 
[Blog http://naspa10.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/full-circle-leezel-ramos/]

My NUFP Buddy, Leezel Ramos is very passionate about the field of Student Affairs and shared her Summer Leadership Institute experience with me. Her excitement and fervor for the Institute stuck with me and inspired me to apply. Through discussing the Summer Leadership Institute with Leezel, I know that the experience will allow me to reflect on issues concerning Student Affairs and to grow as a person in the field. The Summer Leadership Institute will be beneficial to my career path in Student Affairs. 
[Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/InMyHalo/status/181567325189849090]

via thinkradically

Since returning to San Diego, I volunteer with a community based youth organization mentoring a collective of students from various high schools. These young people never cease to amaze me with their creativity, talent, and eagerness to become leaders.

This past weekend they received outstanding recognition and I wanted to give them a shout out! Yay!

WINNER of ”Soundtrack of your Life” Music Video Contest

“619” by Philippine American Youth Organization - San Diego, CA

38th Annual
Andres Bonifacio Samahan High School Conference
San Diego State University

PS. 619 is the area code in which these students reside - South Bay San Diego represent!

It’s been awhile since I’ve been here.. I usually come here to clear my mind or reflect on life. This time the sheer thought of the fact that, here, I sit at the edge of an entire continent—500+ million people behind me—puts in perspective how little things in our lives can be. How insignificant and silly are the things we get angry or complain about. That it’s ok to be sad and up to you to make things right.

Reminds me that attitude is a choice.

Two hours of sleep, two hours drive, and waiting to board an international flight for a reason I never imagined.

I got asked this past summer if I wanted to write about being a “Global Filipino.” I explained to the nice gentleman that my life experience is that being raised only in the United States where my community work revolved around the advancement of the Filipino-American community here. “Oh” he responded,”I see. This isn’t a Filipino-American blog.” Understanding the purpose of his project, I graciously thanked him for the opportunity and never gave it much thought after that.

It’s not uncommon for family to find each other and reconnect over Facebook in this digital age. For my family, I discovered that the immigration journey for relatives that I met in the Philippines when I was younger now reside in the United Kingdom.

This side of my family, though only have met in person once, have been very present in my life growing up. They are my dad’s first cousins and I have memories of my dad laughing and sharing stories with them over speaker phone at least once a month - it was like they were actually here at the house! They had even came to stay with us in the States for a week, but I had missed them being away for college.

This family is the only family I know from my Grandmother’s side. My Grandmother’s only living sibling, her brother, lived with them in the UK. I remember when I first “Friend” them on FB seeing picture of Lolo (Grandfather) Pondong.. and after the passing of Grandma last year, it was such a powerful emotion to see Lolo and how much he and Grandma looked alike. It was an instant affection—unconditional love—that I have for family that my parents taught me to feel and value.

This desire to prioritize family made me super excited to set the goal of visiting them during my planned European trip with friends in 2012.. however, a recent unexpected turn in Lolo’s health lead to his loss.

When news came and tears filled my eyes, I knew that reaction was my definition of being a “Global Filipino.”

It’s when you can feel joy, love, and sorrow for individuals half a world away. When you trust that the bonds of family go beyond physical meeting and gathering, but on support delivered only by words.

So, here I am.. Gate 23, LAX to London Heathrow.

Most Americans and young people go to Europe for vacations and fun. Instead, I’m ready and willing to make the trip to say good bye to Lolo and send love on behalf of my family in the US.

I was looking forward to laughing and sharing my own stories with you Lolo, but I know God wanted to reunite you with Grandma Dora. I love and miss you both so dearly.

#brokenfriendshipshurttoo

The very essence of being an educator or a leader is to instill the notion of possibility. If we could just make one more person believe… in themselves, in social change, in the greater good, in love… the world would be a very different place.

For myself, the first step is to exercise being conscious of struggle, language, inequality, and most importantly - envisioning a way to create a better reality. A reality that induces personal growth, positively affect my community, my country, cross oceans, and ultimately benefit my future family.

After graduation and all the insecurity I found myself in at the beginning of 2011, the classic advice of “follow your heart” lead me to spaces that reinvigorated my life. It’s finally hitting me, this feeling that the platform between possibility and reality is so close I can almost taste it.

Three recent stories I’ve witnessed struck a chord within me and inspired me at my very core. Their experiences, both personal and professional, got me dreaming again and are living proof that anything that’s possible begins with the belief in yourself…

Thefirstis an organization, OneFilipino, that I met at UniPro Summit in early June. The vision of OneFilipino reads:

To establish stronger representation of British-Filipinos in political and socio-economic affairs in the UK and in the Philippines.  To create social enterprises and co-operatives that will satisfy the Filipino community’s needs all throughout the UK. To create a repository of consumer data and cultural data regarding the Filipinos in the UK.  To create a generation of Filipino leaders that will serve our community and will protect the interests of the Filipino in the UK and beyond.

Beyond impressed, it was as if someone read my mind and simply articulated what I’ve been trying to define in my almost 10 years of community organizing. Their mission reads:

To create stronger participation of Filipinos in UK and  Philippine affairs within political and socio-economic  issues.  To create easier access for Filipinos to community affairs and functions.  To establish a data infrastructure for social research  regarding the Filipinos in the UK.  To provide young Filipinos with a platform to perform  volunteerism and active youth participation in the  Philippines and/or in the UK.

Speechless.

In communication theory, it is almost impossible for communicators to fully and completely transfer/assign the same meaning to exchanged symbols. So when it does happen, one can be overwhelmed with a great sense of relief - some may say, “you get me.” Well in this case, that’s exactly it. A mutual understanding of a shared tireless passion, drive, and hope.

Second, over the weekend I attended a going-away party for one of Angelo’s hometown friends who was recently accepted to the Graduate Business School at Columbia University in New York City. I have only known and interacted with Phil and Aileen through visits with Angelo - Kristine’s Wedding, their wedding, Paquiao fights, vacationing in New York City, and now sending them off to a new chapter in their story.

Right before Angelo and I left the party, Phil’s mom stopped us and requested that we stayed because she had a surprise cake and toast to conclude the celebration. As it turned out, Phil had a very well thought out and sentimental speech highlighting the trials and tribulations being from an immigrant family. Emotions were flying high…

With immense gratitude in his voice, he thanked his mother for working so hard, sacrificing, and not giving up on the “American Dream.” Otherwise, he wouldn’t have met his wife, help raise his sister, had the opportunity to work in London, and now pursue a degree at one of the top business schools in the U.S. Listening to him walk through his life up to that point made my own parents’ history flash through my mind and almost brought me to tears. It’s the untold story of unconditional support and deepest desire for your child to succeed - how indebted I feel for what they saw possible by leaving all that they knew and immigrating to a new country. It was a refresher that even though I may not always agree with my parents on political issues, or what they should/n’t do when they retire, but always have that underlying appreciation for the system they created that brought me to where I am today and destined to be.

Third, but certainly not least, are the adventures of Rizalyn Vargas. My longest friendship and the one that never ceases to amaze me. We’ve had our talks about family, our “plans” post-college, and all the growing pains that come with becoming an adult - yet despite the obstacles she’s presented, she has the courage to take on the world… literally. She left for Nepal and India a few days ago where she will be interning at community based medical clinics for the next two months. Rizalyn’s ability to persevere hits home. She knows my history and I’ve told her where I’d like to go, but at this very second she’s writing her story and that of others right now. Change at the very basis of humanity - giving the gift of life. (I’m so proud of you, Riz.)

As someone who usually processes thoughts through dialogue, this is a very long blog post. I feel a renewed enthusiasm to do work - what I do for a living and fulfill a refined sense of purpose. I think Nicki Minaj had the right idea… and I don’t want this feeling to end.

I fly with the stars in the skies,
I am no long trying to survive,
I believe that life is a prize,
but to live doesn’t mean you’re alive […]

No I’m not lucky, I’m blessed […] 
But I couldn’t do it all lone, we […]
It’s a celebration every time we link up,
Greatness is what we’re on the brink of.

I wish I could have this moment for life.
[Be]cause in this moment I just feel so alive.

I don’t even have to preface about Ms. Wallace, thanks to the New York Times.

This will be my first and last response to this issue. A lot has already been said on behalf of the Asian and Asian American community which has lead Ms. Wallace to ultimately leave her institution of higher education. As the Huffington Post says,

There’s perhaps no other population that is as prone to saying or doing inappropriate or embarrassing things as college students. Yet, at the same time, college students probably have one of the greatest opportunities for personal growth, learning, and expanding their horizons. 

Thank you for speaking up, after being attacked and offended. Thank you for coming together as a pan-ethnic community to stand up against absurdity. Now you know what it’s like to be put down, hurt, and excluded just because of who you are. Just because your cultural norms are different from the main stream. Just because someone didn’t take the time to get to know you, respect you, embrace you.

Language is powerful. You put out clever parodies and video/blog/tweet responses. You got the message out that Ms. Wallace’s words, and Mr. Limbaugh, were unacceptable.

Words that were unacceptable.

Let me be the first to thank you and let me be the first to tell you to check yourself. You defended our community by putting down another using words like “that’s gay” or “you’re retarded” making you just as guilty as the next and…

via Angelo Deguzman

When somebody hacks your Facebook account to post a homophobic status update as a joke, it may not say something about you, but it definitely sends a message about the people you surround yourself with, the people who comment in laughter and the people who ‘like’ the joke. Think again, and educate people on the seriousness of these offensive things said. 

There’s someone else on the other end being put down, hurt, and excluded just because of who they are.  I appreciate your intention, yet the LGBT and disabled community continue to struggle against stereotypes and prejudice - I am an ally.

I hope you learn to feel for others, not just your own.

via Talib Kewli ft. Justin Timberlake

Don’t nobody talk no more, they all text message
Driving and typing, not paying attention, missing their next exit
Depending on navigation, they never know where the’re going
They staying stuck in one spot, they’re not growing
I’m so over crying, waiting, and hoping, playing the blame game[…]

I’m just trying to get back, to what really matters
I’m trying to search my soul to find out, what I’m after
But the more I find my voice the more they try to make it harder
So mom and dad don’t forget to warn your sons and daughters
About the nature of the world today, the nature of the world today[…]

After graduation when the celebrations and congratulations started to silence, I found myself caught in what Mr. Kweli described in his lyrics (above). I thought I knew where I was going, don’t get me wrong—I have a destination, but for weeks I struggled with defining a path that was right for me. It was confusing hearing this and that from trusted mentors, current graduate students, and close professional friends in the field. The stress distracted me from important details regarding graduate school applications and when I realized what I had missed… I felt defeated. My personal integrity, stabbed. How could this happen? 

I was sorry for myself then started to blame things like the economy, my environment (not being at a university surrounded by like-minded student affairs individuals), and financial and family obligations. I’ve been terrified to share this with my cohort of exceptional young people (@NUFP SLI 2010) because of shame. I needed to “search my soul to find out what I’m after” (Justin Timberlake). The great debate of what to do after undergrad: Graduate school or professional experience? After daily grinding, resume building, cover letter writing, mighty networking and the never ending push to succeed by the woman who introduced me to student affairs - I set out to do the unthinkable.

via GINA LU

Being twenty-something:

You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two (*ahem* three), but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren’t exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones.

What you don’t recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren’t really cold, catty, mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you[…]

Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and are constantly adding things to your list of what is acceptable and what isn’t.

One minute, you are insecure and then the next, secure. You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused.

Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward[…]

One night stands and random hook ups start to look cheap. Getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You go through the same emotions and questions over and over, and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about loans, money, the future and making a life for yourself - and while winning the race would be great, right now you’d just like to be a contender!

What you may not realize is that everyone reading this relates to it. We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out.

This year, 2010, I have accomplished the biggest milestone in my lifetime yet: A college degree. Not only was this my dream, but definitely a “win” for my parents too. They bask in the glory of my completion as if it was their own and as an indicator of their success as parents.

Though I walked in Pilipino Graduation (a cultural celebration ceremony) to commemorate the end of my time at Cal State Fullerton this past May, not many people knew that I still had one semester left in which I finished back home in America’s finest city, San Diego.

It was bittersweet moving out of my college apartment with plans to spend summer in Illinois and after all the other happenings of 2010, it was humbling to find myself hustling at 3 different community colleges all over town to get all the units I needed. Each institution were in distinct neighborhoods: the heart of downtown, in the suburb of working class families, the rural boarder town. Being at the community college level was a transforming experience in itself (I’ll elaborate in my next blog), but for now on the eve of a new year I’ll be celebrating an amazing 2010 and the close of my undergraduate education. To best sum it up, below is my COMM 104 speech final and the last required major class of my college career :]

Remember the time…

We just turned 18 and we went clubbing for the first time. We thought we were so cool - even tho it was a country club most of the time except for hip hop Thursdays when we’d go.

Remember when I broke up with you know who? There goes 3 and a half years I’ll never get back -_-`

Remember when I decided to run for SCPASA Chair? First and youngest to be elected. We made our way hitting up schools from as south as SDSU to Cal State Northridge and as far east as UCR to UCLA. The parties, the meetings, the drive, the protests, rallies, and progress for change.

Oh man, remember when I was homeless for three weeks because my old lease ended before my new apartment lease started and I crashed at your place when you had that crazy yoga roommate that always walked around in her sports bra and booty shorts - awkward.

Remember that scary time when we got robbed at gunpoint in South Central LA. Darn you, USC! Home girl got hit in the back of the head with the gun and the sad thing was the kids looked like they were in high school. Thank goodness for good ol’ LAPD for taking care of us afterward, taking down the report and then telling us to drink a couple of beers and get home safe..and that’s exactly what we did.

That crazy time where I took the train to LAX, we flew to San Francisco, took the Bart to SF State, then bus to the theater and all of that back to Orange County in 24-hours straight to the performing arts center where I was due on stage in two hours for Pilipino Culture Night?

No dude, no dude - remember when we straight up went coast to coast: San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Baltimore (I hate $26 Downtown Baltimore parking), Fairfax, Virgina, and Washington, DC in one week without missing class or work?

C-r-a-z-y times.

Remember pledging for Alpha Phi Omega? It took us a year and a half, but totally worth being part of Founding Class and seeing Delta Class cross this past weekend.

Gahh, I definitely remember having to work three jobs to make ends meet - never again Forever21!

Remember the first SCPASA Summit? No one thought we’d be able to pull it off, but Loyola Marymount University was perfect.

Yes, yes. I remember that’s when he first saw me speak. He says that’s when he had me at “hello,” but maybe he’s right - look at us today.

Year 2006-2007 was just the beginning
2008 was adventurous
2009 was “chillaxing”
2010…momentous

I still can’t believe they ran that article on me in the school newspaper, I thought the interview was just for her assignment.

Blessed to get that scholarship to Chicago for NASPA National Conference only to find myself back in Illinois, but this time in college-town Champaign-Urbana.

This past summer was nuts. Well, more like corn to be accurate ;) corn fields - surrounded by them! Surprisingly enough, the nightlife was amazing! Better than “DTF”… Downtown Fullerton, duh.

Been assumed to be every type of Asian on TV, but got all confused because my last name is in Spanish. No, I’m not Jackie Chan nor Tila Tequila.

Diversity and social justice education is my battle and words are my ammunition.

Back in San Diego I fell in love with community college. This week marks the last of my undergraduate career - my first apartment, the late nights, food runs, finals week, greek life, student organizing, nationwide travel, conferences, work, new friends, remembering the good times and even when it was a struggle.

Toast to what they say about college,
the best four years of your life.

This according to Dr. Larry Roper, a speaker at the NASPA Western Regional Conference, where I was in Portland last week. Previous to my trip I had been struggling with a personal circle of friends where individuals didn’t seem to share a common goal making it frustrating to work together.

Dr. Roper explained the hard decisions to ask yourself,

Are these people life giving?
Are these people goal oriented?
Are these people positive sources of energy?

At that moment sitting in a conference room surrounded by other young aspiring student affairs professionals I was so sure I had the answers to those questions and in the following days of the conference I lived and learned confidently.

Right before returning home I was it was brought to my attention that my confidence…was as also my fault. I was shocked, confused, and heartbroken. Since then I’ve processed as thoughtfully and positively as I can analyzing my own behavior and the values that drive it.

Back in California in the recent time that I’ve reactivated my Facebook at the conference, a flood of well wishes and connections were sent my way from those I haven’t seen or responded to since my move back from Illinois. Touched by their messages it made me reconsider what Dr. Roper said…are there more questions to be asked?

Should your friends reflect the desire of  who you want to be, professionally and personally? To what extend, if any, do you ‘adjust’ yourself to fit accordingly with those people? Can respecting another’s goals, dreams, and more importantly—allowing and accepting them as they are—be enough?

As I realize this for myself I cannot even begin to describe how humbled I am to say yes, it is enough. When you disregard the rules and deconstruct the circles and categories of how or where we met…it all comes down to mutually seeking first to understand each other’s personality, life mission, and gift of support. At times I am guilty, but I am committed to learning from my mistakes.

To those who have stuck around and still believe in the good things that I do, I thank you for continuing to do so even when I fall short of those expectations. Though I may not always be around, I know you exemplify what real friends are supposed to be - I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Cheers to lifelong learning, one-on-ones, and unconditional friendship =]

It’s a combination of being proactive, critical thinking and problem solving, and internalizing a life long vision for yourself. Maybe I was lucky, I was young when I took a serious look at life and asked the very same things that were assigned to us in class. “What kind of person do I want to be? What do I want to accomplish in this lifetime? Why are these important to me? Who am I doing it for?” The answers to these questions not only gave me direction, but also drive. Drive is the force behind us and passion is our fuel. These were the elements that moved me forward.

Recently a friend had asked for advice as she was deciding on a major to pursue for her bachelor’s. At first, she asked general questions about what I majored in, what where the classes I took, and how heavy the workload was. Soon her intentions became clear - she was in search for the “easy way” through college where she explained how she felt. I said, “If you’re not looking to challenge yourself or learn, why are you in college?” Her response was that college is just what was expected to happen after high school. I felt I couldn’t tell her anything else but, “You’re not really just stuck picking between majors, you don’t know who you are and the only way to get the answers you’re looking for isn’t by asking me or others - it’s soul searching.”

This is probably was scares me the most about going into student affairs and advising students in general…not letting my life influence theirs, I wouldn’t want them to deviate from the story they’re meant to live and take accountability for those decisions that lead them there. As an aspiring student affairs professional and youth development worker, I’m left questioning “how do I teach drive? How do I guide students or create spaces for them to discover their own passion?” This comes with the hope that they’ll find the motivation to be proactive in fulfilling the life they see for themselves and  the vision I already believe they can achieve.

I know this guy did =]

President Barack Obama, Moving America Forward 2010 —Los Angeles,CA
Check out more photos from the rally here.  

I was blessed to find myself in college-town Urbana and Champaign in Illinois for a summer internship through NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program. Though it initially wasn’t my first choice of all the schools I applied to, it revealed itself to be the place where I was truly meant to be.

It was a season of firsts. First time…

• Living outside of California
• TORNADO WARNINGS AND SEVERE LIGHTING/THUNDER STORMS
• On-campus residence and experiencing/working with residential life
• Heavily relying on public transportation on a daily basis
• Gay PRIDE Parade (Chicago, IL)
• Visit to University of Iowa, Iowa City
• Visit to Downtown Indianapolis
• Learning about Hmong culture

I was mesmerized by all the physical space on this campus: enormous quad area, four story recreation center (not to mention the two Olympic sized swimming pools), 80,000 seat football stadium, and most notably the facilities dedicated to underrepresented students. 

I was fortunate to work with an amazing team of professionals in Diversity and Social Justice Education, but even though programming for individual communities were supported - intergroup and “diversity” in general is a challenge for this community. In addition to that acceptance, cultural sensitivity, and social justice is literally a battle field. It’s bigger than any average Californian cares to realize and a tragedy when the word “post-racial” or “post-whatever” is used to describe the state of the nation…the truth is: We’re far from where we want to believe it is.

A student I met who originally is from New Jersey said,

Welcome to being a minority.

Ignorance isn’t an excuse - not for derogatory jokes, noninclusive language, intentional and unintentional hurtful acts, AND the alibi that just because we’re not immediately surrounded by hate means it doesn’t exist therefore not our problem.

I’m not here to play police. Educate yourself. It kills me just a little every time a joke is at the expense of a community or when an over generalization is made about a particular lifestyle, value system, or a behavioral norm just because it’s different from ours. I’m also not trying to put down California. We’ve had our own set of obstacles and (for the most part) have been ahead of the game compared to the rest of the country, but with the exception of those who are at the front lines of creating change everyone else seems to be in a bubble denying the reality of others or perpetuating stereotypes.

And to you California activists: Though it might be a bit of a search, there are amazing like-minded individuals in the Midwest that have the strength to be resilient every single day. These were my friends, my supervisors, and my colleagues…the biggest lesson I learned from them: Be an ally. I’m not saying that they—or anyone at that—has mastered this, but strides are being made in both regions and I think we have a lot to learn from each other.

So thank you to my co-intern, T. Bee Yang, for allowing me to grow with you. Those Illinois students who exuberate passion for change. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and staff of the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations for your insight, support, and opportunity to learn from each and everyone of you. My SLI 2010 cohort and faculty for pushing me to new heights - I hope to make you proud.

Summer highlight: NASPA Summer Leadership Institute for NUFP Fellows

Summertime… in Illinois?

Alvin Toffler

University of the Pacific

(via lovelyluann, celerity)

After my first PRIDE experience, I firmly believe in this more than ever before. I am an ally and forever grateful for the people in my life who identify as part of this community.

Education & being a child of immigrant parents.

My grandmother taught me the value of education and gave me the family that unconditionally supports me… My grandmother lived through some of the most pivotal moments of recent history and had to fight for her rights as a woman of color, an immigrant to this country, and a person of faith to provide opportunity for her children and grandchildren. By keeping her stories of struggle, hardships, and triumph with me, it is like what the Romans said, “We… rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us” (Romans 5;3-5). I live the legacy of my grandmother and move to be part of a profession that is my true calling.

-Leezel Ramos, NASPA: Full Circle

LR: -_-`
SC: enjoying the many racist delights on our campus, are we?
BY: Haha, yeah. We’ve been seeing the chief from time to time…I thought this cartoon explains how Native Americans and many others feel.

Being a NUFP fellow and blessed with the opportunity to attend the NASPA National Conference in Chicago I’m overwhelmed with excitement for my future, confidence to pursue it, and thankful for people who have guided me along the way. The theme of “living the legacy and being the movement” didn’t stop after the conference ended – two weeks after my return to Southern California my father called me with devastating news. My grandmother experienced complications after a surgery which left her on life support. In the following two weeks my entire family came together and made the decision to let my grandmother go. I initially didn’t have time to sit and write down my reflection about NASPA after processing it, but it hit me as I make sense of recent life events.

NASPA gave me the tools, knowledge and network to be successful, but my grandmother taught me the value of education and gave me a family that unconditionally supports me which keeps me going.

One of the learning outcomes for NUFP fellows is the ability to identify and develop personal, academic, and career goals – well, I’ve come to realize how much they work hand in hand and the necessity of each to achieve any goal. After my grandmother’s passing, it was the most beautiful sight to see extended relatives, former neighbors, and friends come to my hometown to celebrate the life of my grandmother. This illustrated how she built meaningful relationships in her life that span the nation and oversees. I felt the formation of just that at NASPA – met individuals that shared my passion and we created the foundation for long lasting friendships. It was instantly did I feel connected to peers who were determined to do the same thing as me – make a difference. These friends were kind enough to send me supportive and heartwarming messages when they heard the news about my family. It’s their thoughtfulness I am thankful for to have met them at NAPSA and I look forward to maintaining these relationships personally and professionally.  

Academically, it was my grandmother and parents who instilled the value of higher education in me. With the inspiration of mentors, I found my way to student affairs. NASPA offered an array of educational sessions and roundtables. The ones I attended were mostly about spirituality in higher education because as a college student I’m in search of balancing a way of worship and the instinct to intellectualize. I think this is a common and an important issue that college students face. I listened to the challenges administrators faced who identified as very religious, spiritual, in search, and non believers in relation to their work with students who maybe on their own journey of answering those questions. As I continuously strive to do well in my undergraduate and soon graduate school career I’ll look to faith for strength, purpose, and source of passion in helping others.

After NUFP pre-con the opening video on the first official day of the conference was so powerful and moving it almost brought me to tears. Words highlighted like justice, advocacy, progress, diversity, and power of one are just a few that from history we learn to better serve students and shape the future. My grandmother lived through some of the most pivotal moments of recent history and had to fight for her rights as a woman of color, an immigrant to this country, and a person of faith to provide opportunity of her children and grandchildren. By keeping her stories of struggle, hardships, and triumph with me, it is like what the Romans said, “We… rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us” (Romans 5;3-5). I live the legacy of my grandmother and move to be part of a profession that is my true calling.

In Leading with Soul, authors Bolman and Deal (2001), describes a journey as “[first] letting go of comfortable and familiar ways… leaving home leads to the journey’s second stage—the quest. The quest is always a time of almost overwhelming danger and challenge… [lastly] be ready for the third stage of the journey, returning home. Home will be different and so will [you], because [you] will be armed with new capacities and the deeper understanding that [you] could acquire only by undertaking this journey” (p.46-47). For me, that’s the NUFP experience.

Being raised in Southern California with my college experience reaching its last half of my fourth year as an undergraduate, it’s time to leave what is familiar. The crisp winds of Chi-town are this year’s setting for the NASPA National Conference and it couldn’t have been in any better place. As the hometown of our nation’s president and the most televised cry for change in the public K-12 system, the atmosphere calls for critical thinking and creative solutions for education.

Higher education is no exception and this is our challenge. It would be an honor to attend such a meeting of great minds, to “be the movement toward social justice and the common good within institutions, communities, and personal lives” (http://www.naspa.org/conf/programs/default.cfm). The National Conference will serve to develop aspiring professionals and a chance to dialogue with those more experienced to ensure that its mission and movement continue.

The conference format supports a transformational learning experience. It’s a concrete experience that emphasizes personal involvement with people, other attendees. It’s where learning takes an active form – experimenting – and learning ideas and situations are understood from diverse viewpoints (Paige et al, 2002). This is how I learn best. This is why I want to be there in March of 2010.

After the Western Regional Careers in Student Affairs Day in San Diego in October 2009, the NUFP pre-conference workshop lead by Nathan Victoria will be the next step in uncovering the layers of knowledge about the field of student affairs. I hope to learn about the history, formation, and what inspired the foundation of the profession. I want to ask – what issues currently affect college students? What new and innovated programs address these issues especially regarding social identity and meaning development? NASPA National Conference will open the doors to information and opportunity.

Team building and shared experiences will create an inclusive sense of community that will help me bring back strategies to develop my own organizations on a human level. Skills to manage people can be learned, but captivating them is key. I’ve been fortunate enough to have mentors in my life who believed in me and showed me that I’m capable of achieving my own successes. I want to be that kind of person for others – to challenge and cultivate inquisitive minds. Because our campus is largely commuter students, I plan to reach out to them with the opportunity to be involve and provide tools to be successful. I’ll stress the invaluable life lessons and transferable skills that can be gained. As director of the Student Leadership Institute, active member of our chapter of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, and volunteer service coordinator for a program of the Center for Internships and Community Engagement, my anticipated adventure at National Conference will not only benefit me, but the campus community as well.

I’m excited to connect with other NUFP Fellows across the country and begin my professional network. The diversity of NUFP Fellows will contribute to the richness of personal histories that could broaden my outlook on society and what’s possible in making it better. Essential to achieving NUFP learning outcomes, it’s to ultimately recognize similarities, embrace difference, and reciprocate respect.

Everyone looks at the world with lenses shaped by their life experiences. As each individual has unique contoured lenses, the presence of others and myself will provide various standpoints, opinions, beliefs, and values to the conversation. My lens is of a young Filipino-American woman who challenged herself to be open to other ideals and was willing to test her own values and core principles. That’s why I gave the closing remarks at the end of the first conference I ever coordinated. I saw everyone standing and applauding and it was then that I had an epiphany. Everyone has their own reasons for the work that they do, but at that very profound moment, I found mine. I finally understood that it’s giving up what you do for something greater than yourself and for me it was my peers in the audience. I took up that responsibility, for them and so I worked to provide a space on such a grand scale. I knew each individual student organization was amazing, but I wanted them to discover that that within each other. I firmly believe if you get the right people together with the right resources, anything is possible.

It’s times like this that lead me to discover who I am and help construct my life and leadership philosophy, activities that foster human understanding and build self-esteem. Most of all, my love for leadership and student development are affirmed continually as I aspire to become a student affairs professional.

At National Conference I shall “be bold.” The same motto I’ve themed for the program I direct, “be bold” is a call-to-action to challenge oneself to be more confident, explore new life experiences, and make a difference. From pre-conference workshops to educational sessions, National Conference is where the country will come together. This will be a place to support one another, to network, to collaborate and publicize programs and ideas. It will be a medium through which seasoned professionals, new professionals, graduate students, and undergraduate students can learn together. We can work with one another to create alliances, opportunities, and for me – begin to live the legacy.