The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented disruptions in higher education, forcing swift changes to core operations, particularly within divisions of student affairs. A review of the literature reveals COVID-19 presented many unique challenges for students and student affairs professionals, including disruptions in traditional classroom instruction, co-curricular engagement, and student support services. Manning's (2018) organizational frameworks are used to understand the way each level of the institution engages in communication and decision making. Through a multi-site case study design, this research explores how divisional leaders implemented national and state guidance at three mid-size public institutions in Virginia to create pathways to remain operational by answering three questions: (1) In what ways did mid-size public institutions adapt to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to remain operational?, (2) What was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work of student affairs departments?, and (3) How did divisional leaders navigate the changes necessary to protect the health and safety of staff and students? Interviews with divisional leaders, document review, and observation of physical environments revealed that institutions in this study used similar strategies to navigate the challenges introduced by the pandemic, including the reassignment of staff, creative modification of traditional programs, and utilization of open communication across the organizational structure. Applying Manning's (2018) organizational frameworks revealed that the state-level response was characterized by the institutional frame, and the institution-level response reflected a bureaucratic approach, but successful crisis response in divisions of student affairs at mid-sized institutions was best managed using a feminist and gendered approach, which allowed open communication to occur between differing levels of the reporting structure. This research underscores the role of communication strategies and providing a supportive work environment which promotes longevity among staff as essential in maintaining operational functionality amid the challenges posed by the pandemic. While shedding light on the immediate impact of COVID-19 on student affairs, this study acknowledges the ongoing repercussions within higher education. Implications for institutional and division leaders to consider are provided with the goal of informing future crisis response. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]