Current Campus Context is Student Affairs Now’s rapid-response series breaking down the latest developments in higher education. In this August edition, host Heather Shea is joined by Dr. Felecia Commodore, Dr. Brendan Cantwell, and Dr. Demetri L. Morgan to reflect on the summer’s most significant events shaping higher ed. Together they explore tensions between values and practice, policy and reality, and what students are bringing into the new semester, while also highlighting progress, innovation, and what keeps us motivated in this work.

The post Current Campus Context: Reflections, Tensions, and Hopes for Higher Ed  appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

In a classic "student affairs" moment, a young professional steps up to coach a scrappy women’s club soccer team rather than let their season be canceled. They only scored one point all year—but what they gained in confidence, community, and self-advocacy was a championship of its own.

The post Here’s the Story: “Unstoppable Confidence” appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

An experienced student affairs professional reflects on how career “derailments” and “stagnant seasons” turned out to be pivotal to her growth, not signs of failure. In a moving twist, she finds unexpected joy and support from former students—proof that the seeds she planted long ago blossomed right when she needed them most.

The post Here’s the Story: “Roots and Returns” appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Recent changes to college sports are monumental for athletics, athletes, and all of higher education. Shifts in name, image, and likeness (NIL), revenue sharing, unionization, transfer portal, TV money and conference realignment, and more are each having a massive impact and collectively will leave college sports unrecognizable to many and incredibly complex to navigate for all involved. Join four experts as they explain these changes, discuss the implications, and give us an idea of what is ahead for us all.

The post Navigating the Changing Landscape of College Athletics appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Dr. Harold Cheatham is a scholar, mentor, Dean, and 56th president of ACPA, and the first African American man to serve in that role. In this conversation, he reflects on the themes of serendipity and intrusive advising throughout his professional journey. He also shares his humility, commitment to service, and getting stuff done.

The post Student Affairs Legends Then & Now:  Harold Cheatham appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Dr. Zach Mercurio discusses his new book The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance. Zach comes from student affairs roots and focuses now on significance, meaning, purpose, and mattering at work. He describes how mattering differs from belonging and inclusion and how much mattering matters. He also shares a practical framework for cultivating mattering through three actionable practices: noticing, affirming, and needing.

The post The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

In this episode of Student Affairs Now, Drs. Amy Goodburn, Stephanie Bannister, and Mary Fugate join Heather Shea for conversation about advancing equity for first-generation college students through data transparency. Together, they explore how definitions shape data collection, the role of national datasets, and how institutions are using data to inform practice. The discussion also highlights the risks of data loss and the importance of collaboration in advocating for first-gen student success.

The post Advancing Equity for First-Gen Students Through Data Transparency appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

While it is hard to think about the "dark place" that COVID holds in our collective heart, we are remiss if we do not acknowledge the great work that was done. Ardell Sanders tells a story about lessons learned and victories won during that tough time.

The post Here’s the Story: “It Can’t Be About Me” appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Paying it forward comes to life as Dr. McZee makes good on a commitment to pay forward care for the African American men he mentors until it was paid in full. 

The post Here’s The Story: “Paid in Full” appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Dr. Annmarie Caño discusses her book Leading Toward Liberation: How to Build Cultures of Thriving in Higher Education. This book offers a transformative approach to leadership in higher education that centers justice, healing, and systemic change. Drawing from liberation psychology and Latin American liberation theology, Annmarie Caño advocates for a model of leadership, acompañamiento (accompaniment), which includes centering inner work, reading reality, and engaging in a process of co-creating with others.

The post Leading Toward Liberation: How to Build Cultures of Thriving in Higher Education appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.