This qualitative study explored whether higher education leaders applied an ethic of care or ethic of justice when making decisions that impacted student wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether the ethic of care, more aligned with a focus on student wellbeing, was more dominant, given student wellbeing was at risk during the pandemic.…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, student services leaders needed to adapt to working entirely virtually, find creative solutions to adjust their service delivery, and change how they engaged with their teams. Before COVID-19, studies of virtual leadership focused on virtual teams developed because of the geographical distance between team members.…

This report examines the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in student affairs, demonstrating its potential to personalize student interactions, automate routine processes, and leverage data insights for informed decision-making. AI presents unprecedented opportunities to enhance the student experience. The report emphasizes…

Institutions of higher education (IHEs) have been federally mandated to prevent and respond to reports of sexual violence on campus via Title IX for over 30 years as the trauma that results from campus sexual assault is considered prohibitive to accessing education. Yet, students may not be the only parties harmed when sexual violence is…

In the ever-changing contexts of higher education in the U.S., the field of student affairs strives to evolve the knowledge and skills for effective professional practice. Through this article, the authors invite their colleagues to start a dialogue about another troublesome phenomenon that observed in the field - professional authenticity.…

In this paper, I offer a conceptual framework for examining how racism and white supremacy might be manifested through a textual discourse of whiteness in student affairs responses to racist harms. I define a textual discourse of whiteness as how various peoples' interactions and work with texts within an institutional setting create a social…

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…

Poor supervision has long been cited by new student affairs professionals, particularly practitioners of color, as a factor contributing to their early departures from the field. This, coupled with the hierarchical and often authoritative structures of higher education, has led to practitioners of color feeling burned out and often devalued in…

This descriptive study aimed to answer two research questions: (a) what are the assessment, evaluation, and research (AER) competencies necessary for three educator types (teachers, K-12 administrators, and higher education student affairs professionals); and (b) what are the similarities and differences in competencies by educator type? Current…

This study examined the lived experiences of Latina mother-practitioners in student affairs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic affected individuals in a variety of ways, and as people continue to grapple with its evolution, exploring the experiences of Latina mother-practitioners ensures they are a part of research related to it.…

Trauma-informed practices were initially designed for children; however, we argue that higher education is well-positioned to address the needs of adults as well. This paper discusses adopting trauma-informed practices in organizations and relational spaces. We also share preliminary findings from a qualitative pilot study that explored the…

This article primarily uses document-based historical methods to reconstruct Stephen Lenton's LGBTQ advocacy while a student affairs professional at Virginia Commonwealth University from 1970 to 1980. Lenton enjoyed significant career success in his first several years at VCU, establishing popular and successful programs and a strong rapport with…

White senior-level student affairs professionals are well-positioned to address issues of social justice and inclusion, oppression, privilege, power, and Whiteness within the field of student affairs. Their level of responsibility, scope of interaction and influence, and professional position provide senior-level student affairs professionals with…

To date, we have the most diverse workforce in history. There currently four generations of professionals within our workforce: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Millennial and Gen Z professionals have recently overtaken Generation X and Baby Boomers as the largest generational cohort in the workforce. During this generational…

There are many benefits to being involved in Greek life. Becoming a part of a fraternity or sorority provides one with opportunities to get involved in community service and develop into global citizens. However, recent negative media attention has focused on hazing-related deaths, alcohol abuse, and sexual assaults in connection with Greek life.…