Editors and authors discuss practices, principles, and processes for being in our self work, relational work, and community work for transformation. Guests discuss the why, what, and how of the theory of Being in the contexts of practice, teaching, research, conflict, and even family. They share tools to help folks be more productive and effective in working toward transformation of individuals, communities, and systems.

The post The Theory of Being: Practices for Transforming Self and Communities Across Difference appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Today’s episode directly challenges the media-created assumption that parents are “problems” to be managed by the institution and instead posits a model of parent and family engagement and connection. Particularly relevant as institutions seek to connect with parents and families of first generation college students during points of transition and orientation, seeking engagement and partnerships with parents is one core strategy for fostering student success. Today’s episode features a panel of administrators and scholars with deep appreciation for the contributions of first-generation students and their parents and families. The episode also includes several recommendations for campuses with established (or new) parent and family programs.

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Despite their overwhelming success in higher education, Black women continue to be devalued, discriminated against, and harmed by the colleges and universities where they work or attend school. Their unique standpoints, epistemologies, and praxis have always challenged the standard white hegemony of higher education and yet never before in higher education have we had a text that highlights, explains, and uplifts the unique intersectional perspectives of Black women as scholars, activists, teachers, and leaders.

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Guests discuss governance issues, including overreach, ethics, and effective board governance. We unpack recent events at Michigan State University as a case study to explore governance issues for higher education institutions across the United States. Drs. Brendan Cantwell, Felecia Commodore, Demetri Morgan, and Kris Renn discuss engagement vs. overreach, negative partisanship, board accountability, and the possibility of today's challenges being leveraged to create transformational change for reimagining boards for greater effectiveness for higher education as a public good.

The post From Board Overreach to Engagement, Ethics, and Effectiveness appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

This episode features a panel of scholars and practitioners as well as the executive director of the College Autism Network discussing how colleges and universities can better meet the needs of autistic and neurodivergent students on college campuses.

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Student development theories and frameworks are foundational to the student affairs professions; however, there have often been concerns about their applicability to and effectiveness with marginalized college students.

The post Square Pegs and Round Holes: Alternative Approaches to Diverse College Student Development Theory appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Who are today’s college students, what do they need, and how can institutions rise to meet these needs? Today’s new episode brings together four panelists who contributed to a new book Multiple Perspectives on College Students: Needs, Challenges, and Opportunities.

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This conversation features the two editors of the new book, Identity Interconnections. Lisa Delacruz Combs and Dr. Aeriel A. Ashlee discuss concepts and connections from their book, including compassionate cautions, liminality, threshold theory, healing and transformation, paradox and nuance, aspiring allyship, and even a Rihanna quote.

The post Identity Interconnections: Pursuing Poststructural Possibility in Student Affairs Praxis appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

While diversity leaders exist at all administrative ranks and levels across both academic and student affairs. Today’s episode focuses on the senior diversity officer role. Often a senior administrator or vice president or chancellor, the senior diversity officer often wears a number of significant hats.

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Student persistence, retention, and success are the central roles of higher education. Many campuses are centering belonging in their efforts. This conversation brings together Drs. Erin M. Bentrim, Terrell Lamont Strayhorn, and Vasti Torres discuss insights from the new book, The Impact of the Sense of Belonging in College: Implications for Student Persistence, Retention, and Success. They clarify definitions, untangle related concepts, and explore individual and institutional responsibilities for creating belonging.

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