JOSHELYN S. MARTIN

Below, I provide a glimpse into my experiences throughout my three years of active involvement within our Residence Hall's Association Coordinating Board. These experiences helped shape my core values regarding student affairs and serve as my foundation for believing in the spirit of residence halls and their tremendous influence on the undergraduate experience, particularly to serve as a positive experience for students. My initial interest in the field was solely based around the idea of helping other students from marginalized backgrounds make the most of their time at their institution. I sought to help students find their voice and sense of identity just as my involvement had helped me find my sense of belonging and leadership. However, unversed in student development theories or a fundamental understanding of student affairs, I was unaware of how I could best help students. Regardless, I continue to look back on my experiences at UCSB to inform how I may integrate theory to practice.