Operating from intersecting theories of validation, marginality, and mattering, this phenomenological study investigated undocumented student support services from the perspective of 49 Undocumented Student Resource Center (USRC) practitioners. In-depth interviews highlighted the ways that USRC practitioners served as validating agents, directly…

Student disciplinary systems have been operating in higher education for decades and their role in furthering an institution's educational mission continues to raise. Almost all institutions have a Code of Conduct section in their handbook which describes all rules and regulations students must comply with in addition to federal, state, and local…

This study examines staff development practices in community college student affairs. Nineteen interviews were conducted with supervisors in a variety of departments at community colleges. We found that supervisors frequently used multiple practices such as conducting staff meetings, attending institutional training, or viewing topical webinars…

Inherent challenges affect first-generation students' persistence from as early as the first college year. Using cultural capital as a guide, this study is unique in that it investigates the contribution of first-year policies and programs to the success of first-generation students in 57 bachelor's degree-granting institutions across five states…

The emerging millennial generation of young professionals in student affairs, often accused of being shielded from many of life's developmentally stimulating challenges, may not be sufficiently self-authored to effectively facilitate epistemological, intrapersonal, and interpersonal development among their students. Contrary to expectations,…

In 1985, Miami-Dade Community College conducted a survey of Florida's community colleges to gather information about the colleges' placement offices. All 27 colleges were contacted by phone, and a series of brief questions were asked of the individual responsible for placement. Survey findings included the following: (1) 74% of the colleges had…