Our study examines how the relationships with various human ecological systems influence the transition by rural students from home communities to postsecondary institutions. Using phenomenological interview data with 14 students who are from rural Alaska and 14 postsecondary student service staff, our analysis identified characteristics of the…

Professional development and career advancement are essential elements of a satisfying experience as a working professional. The purpose of this study was to examine: (1) the effectiveness of methods of professional development for student affairs professionals, (2) factors influencing career advancement for student affairs professionals, (3) the…

African American male student affairs administrators, who work at predominantly White institutions in United States colleges and universities, have unique experiences because of a variety of societal and institutional factors. This doctoral, action research dissertation examined these experiences through a qualitative narrative case lens. This…

This study examines the perceived changes in the geography of student support for racial/ethnic minoritized students after pursuing federal Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) designation and grants. Specifically, this qualitative multiple-case study examines the decision-making related to, and perceived changes in, space and place aimed at…

This qualitative study explored the supervision practices of graduate assistant supervisors at two large research institutions. Six themes emerged as best practices: graduate assistant supervisors took a student-centered approach, provided thorough training, cultivated a learning-focused experience, established effective communication, built…

Neoliberalism and patriarchal norms have shaped the working conditions for student affairs professionals. This case study collected individual and focus group interviews, leveraging the experiences and situated knowledge of working mothers in student affairs to develop organizational guidelines for more equitable and unified work environments. By…

Diversity is an articulated value for higher education throughout the country. This research builds on existing research about how White students experience diversity and how they make meaning of their Whiteness and White privilege. This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological approach to understand White student leaders' experience on a…

Asian American women who choose a career in student affairs within the field of higher education are severely underrepresented in both staff positions and top officer/administrator positions compared to White women and other women of color. As the Asian American college student population continues to rise and women make up the majority of…

Humanism, as an educational philosophy, is explored as a foundational learning and development theory to inform a new approach to academic advising. Linking humanism to academic advising, humanistic advising emphasizes the importance of advisee growth and change to become self-actualized. Thus, humanistic advising calls for advisors to see…

Student services professionals have emerged as significant supportive collaborators in the construction of environments that encourage student success within Canadian post-secondary education (Hardy-Cox & Strange, 2010). In Canada, literature pertaining to student services is evolving and research from other contexts is therefore often used to…

Resident assistant hiring decisions are critical to the residential student experience and ultimately to the success of housing and residence life departments. The purpose of this study is to explore the influences existing in the hiring decision-making process for housing and residence life staff. We also compare the influences of hiring…

For decades, the student affairs field has viewed supervision as a vital function of many professional roles for which staff rarely receive intentional training. While there is limited scholarship outlining what effective supervision should entail, the frameworks available to intentionally guide supervisory skill development is sparse. The…

The purpose of this narrative inquiry was to understand how institutions of higher education implemented a gender-inclusive housing option for students from the perspective of student affairs administrators. Of particular interest was how housing administrators perceived a gender-inclusive housing option impacted students and the campus community.…

Students with minoritized identities (SMI) are increasingly engaged on college campuses as activists and often feel unsupported by faculty and student affairs professionals (SAP). This phenomenological study examined how eight SMI activists described their experiences partnering with faculty or SAPs. Data analysis from semi-structured interviews…

This study examined the phenomenon of being geographically bound as a student affairs professional. Participants described challenges in career advancement, tension between personal and professional aspirations, and self-doubt about their professional identity due to pervasive messaging that "you need to move out to move up." Results…