Why a Gonzaga Education is Special

Many people overlook the power of relational building and focus solely on tasks to achieve the bottom line, especially in technical and analytical fields. I’m exceptionally grateful to be studying with Gonzaga University with such a rich background because I feel it makes me a much more well-rounded individual.

 

There are three tenets to the Gonzaga University educational experience that are superior to any program I have previously participated in:

• A commitment to the development of the whole person.

• A commitment to inclusion.

• A commitment to developing agents of faith-based change.

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The Masters of Arts Communication and Leadership Studies is especially resonant. Many liberal arts skills of relating with people face to face, comprehending complex philosophical concepts, and communicating outside of social media tools are being lost in the current day and age. Following are some thoughts on basic mission statements from Gonzaga’s a) Office of the President, b) Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, c) Office of Mission and Ministry, and d) the Department of Communication and Leadership Studies.

 

The Gonzaga experience fosters a mature commitment to the dignity of the human person, social justice, diversity, intercultural competence, global engagement, solidarity with the poor and vulnerable, and care for the planet. (Gonzaga Mission Statement)

 

The mission shows up in the curriculum and daily interactions with staff and faculty. Staff respond quickly, compassionately, and smartly. Faculty are interested in how their students are receiving the material and growing from it. Faculty view student well-being as instrumental to the learning process. In other curriculum programs that I am familiar with, the emphasis is on content, and many students are often left feeling drained, exhausted. Their personal development needs are left to be handled by staff who are sometimes also drained and exhausted from the higher education system. One of my best learning experiences was having an instructor announce there were no deadlines in the wake of COVID-19. It was at a time when I was feeling emotionally exhausted from the COVID-19 changes in my life, and I embraced the no deadline policy to its fullest extent. I was constantly unsure if he meant it, and in the end, I recognized he meant it entirely. The amount of gratitude I felt towards him for his generosity and how he role-modeled removing potentials for conflict made one of the most significant transformative changes I’ve experienced in this program. It is about connecting with people, seeing the good in people, seeing that we all have needs, and then moving to do what we can to remove pain points in acts of compassion and love. Life is about connecting with people authentically and putting forth the effort to create a loving community. Gonzaga University embraces this dimension and enhances our ability to be present and lead. 

 

Diversity affirms our faith-inspired commitment to an inclusive community where human differences thrive within our living, working, and learning environment. (Gonzaga Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)

 

Like many higher education institutions, Gonzaga University still suffers from systemic racism inherent in how the organization is structured, the history of who has the power to make decisions, and who has the privilege to be admitted into and pay for an education. However, the current president of Gonzaga University is deeply and heartfully committed to making space for traditionally marginalized groups to speak up with their voice and responding to their needs by creating pathways for success in redesigning structures and processes. It is a constant struggle, creating inclusion for marginalized and minoritized groups. The Communication and Leadership program chair is a refugee and immigrant to the United States. He has an unwavering passion for studying intercultural communication and especially in LatinX communities. His passion shows up in how he chooses to connect with students, communicate about current issues, and make curriculum decisions. I am excited to be in a program when Dr. Pavel Schlossberg is leading it. 

 

[Our mission is preparing students to be] intellectually competent, imaginative, committed to justice, and agents of faith, hope, and love in their communities. (Gonzaga Office of Mission and Ministry)

 

Although there is a separation of church and state, personal beliefs, and professional actions, I am passionate about Gonzaga’s commitment to developing people willing to be faith-based agents of love and change in their communities. Leading with faith brings a belief that the best outcome is possible and that there is always good to find in any person or context. Without faith, it is easy for an individual to fall into selfish decision-making or despair in the face of difficult relational or political situations. Staying in touch with confidence makes it easier to find the courage to be innovative and courageous when taking actions for the greater good. 

 

[Graduates of the Masters of Arts Communication and Leadership Studies program] leave our program with the following skills:

• Audience Analysis

• Message Impact

• Communicate Change

• Research Evaluation

• Data Interpretation

• Presentation Skills

• Cultural Awareness

• Negotiation

• Problem Solving (Gonzaga Communication and Leadership Studies)

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I have a few final words on the Communication and Leadership Studies program. Every organization has plenty of people able to focus on their tasks and their scope of work. People are trained to perform with excellence and pride in what they do. However, many people find it hard to come out of their performative role and to engage with others when there is a complex or systemic issue at hand. This program prepares students to do that, emphasizing the higher good and reaching for the greatest possible outcome for all. The skills listed are essential in today’s workforce. The discussions in courses with other classmates about the material and projects help to expand, deepen, and heighten one’s ability to call upon these skills artfully, expertly, and intuitively when needed. I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to study at Gonzaga University and transform how I interact in all environments and the relational dynamics I find myself in.