February 26, 2014 Letter of Professional Promise for Michal MJ Jones (Empathy, Restorative, Futuristic, Developer, and Responsibility)

Brian Hooks, Assistant Director, Residential Leadership

As the Assistant Director in Housing & Residence Life (HRL) at Seattle University, I have had the opportunity to observe the growth and development of Michal Jones (MJ) personally and professionally. I have the opportunity of working with the graduate assistants in their understanding of Student Affairs and assist in their development of the type of professional they want to be. MJ has grown in understanding their values and how they play out in the day to day work with students and colleagues. MJs passion for social justice and diversity has been at the fore front of their work done at Seattle University (SU). MJ has been able to apply their strengths: empathy, restorative, futuristic, developer and responsibility in working within the department and the SU community. For the past 2 years, MJ has worked in HRL as the Assistant Resident Director for Murphy Apartments and Chardin (MAC) Hall. MAC consists of a mixture of sophomore, junior and senior students housed in suite and apartment style housing. MJ co-supervises 9 resident assistants, manages 2 front desk operations and advises a hall council. MJ has developed the ability to articulate a vision for the MAC community built on their strengths of developing the staff and student leaders and being restorative in managing the challenges of a residential community. As a new professional, the strengths that MJ has shown as a futuristic, developer, and restorative educator will assist them at all levels of the Student Affairs field. MJ has spent the majority of their graduate experience in the exploration of social justice and diversity issues and its impact on the community. I have had the opportunity to observe them develop a stronger sense of self in their identities and understand the complexity of the intersection of those identities operating within a pervasive system. MJ is currently a member of the departments Social Justice Committee implementing a plan to increase the multicultural competence of the professional staff and student leaders. MJs work in the Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender and Gay community has transformed how Housing & Residence Life works with students and colleagues from those communities. MJ has been able to use and develop their empathy in connecting with students and assisting them in their development of understanding their social identities. I have been impressed with the level of professionalism and care that MJ has displayed throughout my time working in their presence. MJ has displayed a high level of competence working in the field and striving to advance our profession in areas that are not openly discussed. It is this courage to speak truth that will endure MJ to their colleagues and our profession.