My Experience  at CITAL as a Student Aide

By Soniya Ottayil, Senior Nursing Major & CITAL student aide

I began working at the Center for Innovation in Teaching, Assessment, and Learning (CITAL) during my sophomore year at Valparaiso University. When I first accepted the position, I was nervous because I did not know if I could balance the demands of nursing school with a job. I was also stepping into a world that felt completely new to me. I had never been involved in faculty development or assessment work before, but something in me felt ready to try. I already knew I wanted to become a nursing professor someday, yet I had no idea how much working at CITAL would help put that dream into perspective and deepen my understanding of what the student aide role entails.

One of my favorite responsibilities was attending professorial lectures. I now understand what an incredible honor it is for professors to present these lectures as part of the tenure process. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to attend and support them during such an important milestone in their careers. It was also inspiring to see other faculty members attend and support their colleagues. Their support reminded me of the teamwork that is so essential in healthcare, where nurses, doctors, and staff rely on one another to provide the best possible care.

In addition, I assisted with developing rubrics for professors to use when grading both major and minor assignments. Working on these gave me a new appreciation for the thought and intention that go into designing fair and effective grading tools. It helped me imagine how I might design rubrics one day as a nursing professor. Another part of my role involved updating the CITAL website with new information. For example,  I added a page for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) to provide professional development resources, and I updated information about a Faculty Learning Community (FLC) to promote collaboration and improve classroom practices. I enjoy updating and creating website content because it allows me to blend creativity with attention to detail.

My time at CITAL has shown me how much CITAL values the staff and faculty at Valparaiso University. Education is constantly changing like a revolving door in order to better help students, and I’m extremely grateful to Cindy, Ed, and Gina, who have given me the opportunity to learn and grow in so many ways. They encouraged my curiosity and trusted me to explore this role, which I deeply appreciate. 

CITAL has also taught me lessons that go beyond faculty support and apply to nursing as well.  Clear communication, attention to detail, and collaboration matter in both fields. Just as communicating effectively with supervisors ensures tasks are completed correctly, nurses must also communicate carefully to keep patients safe. Being thorough is equally important whether you are completing a health assessment, educating a patient, or ensuring patient safety. At CITAL, the staff took the time to know me as a person rather than just a student aide. Their kindness reminded me of the importance of seeing patients as whole individuals, not just as cases, which I will carry into my future nursing practice. Overall, my experience at CITAL has shaped me both personally and professionally, giving me the skills, perspective, and values I will carry with me as I continue my journey toward becoming a nurse and, one day, an educator.