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.…

Inspired by a Tolkien quote, "Not All Who Wander Are Lost," the authors introduce the concept of "career wandering" in the context of undergraduate student development. Proposing an alternative to traditional linear career trajectories, we conceptualize a dynamic approach that embraces nonlinear paths, indecision, and…

Executive leadership for African-American males in higher education in student affairs at predominantly white institutions remains elusive and requires dedicated insights, critical thought, hard work, and a community of support that manifests itself in many ways. The work is evolving, and higher education administrator must take time to…

This dissertation examines the evolution of supervision among new student affairs professionals, exploring the transformative journey from graduate school to full-time roles. Drawing upon qualitative research methods, the study delves into the experiences and perceptions of new student affairs professionals as they navigate their supervisory…

This qualitative study grounded in feminist theory uses narrative inquiry to explore the stories of 26 senior women student affairs leaders. We tell the collective story we heard participants bring forward by describing plotlines that reverberated across their accounts. We call these plotlines: "Experiencing Communication through Gendered…

Women make up the overwhelming majority of student affairs practitioners; many are also mothers. Simultaneously, there is a dearth in scholarly literature that addresses the impact of motherhood on the careers of women in student affairs, particularly mothers in the senior student affairs officer (SSAO) position. This study utilized hermeneutic…

Career opportunities for U.S.-educated student affairs professionals to work outside of the U.S. in student affairs have become increasingly available over the past two decades. The purpose of this study was to determine demographics of U.S.-educated expatriate student affairs professionals and their motivations to work abroad, which remains a…

The purpose of this census-style quantitative research was to investigate what relationship existed between demographic and institutional factors and women's career advancement aspirations in student affairs in the state of Wisconsin. A Qualtrics survey that included Gregor and O'Brien's (2015) Career Aspirations Scale-Revised and Drasgow's (2001)…

Using testimonios, this study shares experiences of how structural inequalities impact self-care, wellness, mentoring, and career-related mobility of womxn of color in mid-senior-level student affairs roles at PWI's. Testimonios revealed three themes: how they engaged in self-care and wellness, challenges with self-care and wellness, and dreams of…

This article explores the mentoring networks for 34 mid-level Latinx/a/o student affairs administrators who aspire to senior leadership roles. Findings indicate that (a) most participants have entrepreneurial developmental networks; (b) participants with mentors gained career and psychosocial functions, including forms of community cultural…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Despite the recent increase in messaging on the importance of improving diversity and inclusion efforts within higher education, Black women working in administrative roles continue to be the most misjudged, undervalued, and underrepresented group of individuals on college campuses across the country. The purpose of this interpretative…