Evidence demonstrates work intensity is on the rise and can lead to higher rates of burnout. The UK Higher Education professional services sector has been under-researched in terms of work intensity levels and experience of burnout. This research measured these levels and sought evidence of whether high-performance work practices (HPWPs) moderate…

The retention of student affairs professionals remains a significant challenge for academic institutions, as these professionals play a critical role in supporting student retention and ensuring completion rates. A misalignment between employees' preferred work environments and current institutional policies and traditions hinders the transition…

An imaginary divide exists between academic affairs and student affairs, fueled by disagreements over responsibility for the educational mission of a university. Some in academic affairs doubt the capability of student affairs professionals to promote rigorous learning, because student affairs is often viewed as the realm outside of the classroom.…

The field of student affairs has been characterized by high levels of attrition, burnout, compassion fatigue, and a lack of appreciation and recognition for its dedicated and highly skilled professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic magnified and intensified these tensions, and a high percentage of student affairs practitioners are considering leaving…

This article employs narrative inquiry and counter-storytelling as methodological and analytical tools to unpack the collective experiences of racially minoritized student affairs practitioners and faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors' narratives underscore factors that impeded their success during the pandemic and the nuances of…

This study explored 18 student affairs professionals of color (SAPOCs) and their experiences with microaggressions, hate crimes, and ethnoviolence on college campuses. This study used the theoretical lens of occupational wellness and critical race theory to explore participants' experiences regarding race and wellness. The findings of the study…

Anti-Blackness in the academy has the potential to negatively impact relationships between Black Women, which can ultimately influence Black women's retention and career advancement. Through an analysis of existing theories, including workplace friendships, Black feminist thought, and critical race theory, the authors first interrogate how…

Spiritual perspectives in organizational theory are relatively recent approaches to understanding the behaviors of complex organizations. Emerging in the 1990s, the literature on modern organizations, especially in the United States, saw a rise in individuals questioning if they could find meaning and purpose in their work. This study investigated…

Student affairs professionals are at risk of leaving both their jobs and higher education in general. A survey of higher ed professionals was conducted in May of 2022 examining student affairs professionals' likelihood of leaving their jobs, why they are considering leaving, and what factors may contribute to their retention. Results revealed that…

With a growing demand for addressing the mental health needs of students, so is the need for faculty and practitioners in student affairs and academic affairs to engage in supporting students through their trauma, due to a lack of mental health resources and a rise in students' feelings of isolation and anxiety, as a direct result of the COVID-19…

The sustainability of the student affairs profession continues to be questioned, as is the conditions influencing attrition and "burnout" of those working in the student affairs profession over time. Therefore, understanding the workplace conditions of midlevel student affairs administrators continues to be an important area of inquiry…

Through an unsustainable moniker that often receives no reprieve, Black women student affairs professionals become the institutional fixer--the StrongBlackWoman who can do all. Through a raced and gendered expectation, they support the needs of their students, many of whom are students of color. This effort creates a precarious double bind that…

This multiple case study analysis investigates the culturally engaging nature of a US campus for international students using the Culturally Engaging Campus Environments (CECE) model. Semi-structured interviews and professional development workshop observations were conducted with six faculty and administrative leaders who work closely with…

While many studies have examined work-life satisfaction within the field of student affairs, few have examined the dissonance between new professionals' expectations for professional practice and their experience in the first few years. Using a narrative inquiry method, this qualitative study investigated how professionalism is both practiced and…