“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us”- Ralph Waldo Emerson. This is my life quote that I based my graduate portfolio defense on and I have had as a source of motivation throughout my career. Most importantly, this quote has helped me understand who I am as a student services professional. I am driven to empower students to become the people they are meant to be by understanding what is “within” them. It is vital to understand ourselves and what our talents, knowledge, and strengths are in order to be brave enough to take our own path in this world and make a difference.
I received both my Bachelor's of Science and Masters of Arts from San Diego State University. In addition, I worked on campus for the over fourteen years as a Student Services Professional. I worked as an academic advisor for nine years. Five and a half of those years, I was the Peer Advisor Coordinator in the Fowler College of Business. I supervised student assistants, presented at new student orientation, planned events including Commencement, and advised student leaders.
I work in Career Services for six years. The first four and a half years, I was the Campus Internship Coordinator where I supported the administration of campus internship programs, facilitated internship involvement throughout SDSU's diverse student body, and advocated for quality student internship experiences with university staff, faculty, and community partners. The last year and a half, I was the Associate Director of Experiential Learning and managed three experiential learning areas: internships, mentoring, and experiential learning. All three of these experience allow students to develop their professionalism and explore career opportunities. Through the development of programming and resources for students, faculty/staff and employers, my team and I were able to increase access to experiential learning opportunities for all SDSU student.
Most recently, I was the Assistant Director of Testing Services, which allowed me to bring together my experiences working in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. It was a position that allowed me to use my academic advising knowledge, event and programming experience, and passion for helping students persist to graduation and achieving their goals. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and SDSU's financial concerns, I was non-retained without cause in June 2020 and I am now looking for my next opportunity to use my passion, knowledge and experience to support and empower the leaders of tomorrow.
This e-portfolio contains work that I have done during the past fourteen years I worked at San Diego State University in a variety of positions including Campus Internship Coordinator in Career Services and Peer Advisor Coordinator/Academic Advisor in the Undergraduate Business Advising Center.
Thank you for visiting my e-portfolio.
Heather LaPerle, M.A.
I received both my Bachelor's of Science and Masters of Arts from San Diego State University. In addition, I worked on campus for the over fourteen years as a Student Services Professional. I worked as an academic advisor for nine years. Five and a half of those years, I was the Peer Advisor Coordinator in the Fowler College of Business. I supervised student assistants, presented at new student orientation, planned events including Commencement, and advised student leaders.
I work in Career Services for six years. The first four and a half years, I was the Campus Internship Coordinator where I supported the administration of campus internship programs, facilitated internship involvement throughout SDSU's diverse student body, and advocated for quality student internship experiences with university staff, faculty, and community partners. The last year and a half, I was the Associate Director of Experiential Learning and managed three experiential learning areas: internships, mentoring, and experiential learning. All three of these experience allow students to develop their professionalism and explore career opportunities. Through the development of programming and resources for students, faculty/staff and employers, my team and I were able to increase access to experiential learning opportunities for all SDSU student.
Most recently, I was the Assistant Director of Testing Services, which allowed me to bring together my experiences working in Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. It was a position that allowed me to use my academic advising knowledge, event and programming experience, and passion for helping students persist to graduation and achieving their goals. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 and SDSU's financial concerns, I was non-retained without cause in June 2020 and I am now looking for my next opportunity to use my passion, knowledge and experience to support and empower the leaders of tomorrow.
This e-portfolio contains work that I have done during the past fourteen years I worked at San Diego State University in a variety of positions including Campus Internship Coordinator in Career Services and Peer Advisor Coordinator/Academic Advisor in the Undergraduate Business Advising Center.
Thank you for visiting my e-portfolio.
Heather LaPerle, M.A.