This multiple-case study sought to understand how senior student affairs officers engaged in crisis leadership and decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic's first year. Five themes emerged from the research: (a) influence of institutional structure and culture on decisions, (b) uniqueness of COVID crisis decision making, (c) engagement and utilization of human resources, (d) changes to professional practice and campus profile, and (e) the emotional toll of crisis decision making. Implications for practice are offered.