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…

African American male student conduct professionals consciously engage in code-switching in professional settings. Student conduct professionals hold significant responsibility within a college or university. The impact of their decisions creates immense pressure and results in lasting consequences for students involved. In this qualitative,…

The COVID-19 global pandemic brought about a new form of traumatic stress with catastrophic impacts felt in every industry, including higher education. During this prolonged state of trauma, professionals in the division of Student Affairs have continued to be called upon to support students in the campus community. Student affairs professionals…

Entry-level student affairs professionals play a significant and influential role in the growth and development of college students. Despite the value of these entry-level professionals, attrition from the student affairs profession is a pressing issue (Renn & Jessup-Anger, 2008), primarily because 55% of student affairs professionals leave…

This dissertation explores academic persistence among Latinx students at City College of San Francisco (CCSF), using cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) to emphasize the culturally-mediated nature of goal directed human activity. The study investigates factors related to persistence within the context of CCSF's Metro Transfer Program…

Despite persistent and documented issues regarding hazing, scholarly attention remains limited. A review of the literature revealed the majority of studies focused on student perceptions and behavior. Faculty and staff, specifically student club and organization advisors, should be involved with the prevention of hazing, too, but first there must…

The purpose of this multicase study was to investigate and understand how institutional agents foster a culturally engaging campus environment to facilitate completion for Latinx students at federally designated Hispanic-serving community colleges in New Jersey. This multicase study focused on institutional agents at two New Jersey community…

Student affairs professionals tend to face unrealistic workplace demands. Finding time for personal responsibilities while juggling the demands of a job that often requires a 24/7 commitment is more of a goal than an achievement. Compared with their married, cohabitating, or childless counterparts, single mothers struggle more significantly with…

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…

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…

Understanding the decision-making process people use when considering career options and how those decisions manifest can inform practice for individuals, organizations, and professions. This study explored individual paths and decision-making among student affairs professionals in an attempt to identify themes in career decision-making. This…

Student affairs staff members experience stress and burnout as a result of frequent transformation within the higher education landscape. Although change affects all employees in the field of higher education, staff members in student affairs are faced with unique challenges that lead to the adoption of healthy or unhealthy coping behaviors. The…

The purpose of this study was to understand how student affairs educators make meaning of the concept of career readiness among undergraduate students they directly advise or supervise at a public, research institution in Texas. This study was driven by the increased pressure of higher education as a whole to highlight college graduates'…