Student Affairs NOW

Chris Wells, an environmental historian, Nick Fonder, a student affairs educator, and Angela Noel, a senior academic advisor, explore AI’s messy middle in higher education. They discuss data centers, energy and water use, AI literacy, authorship, and the “elevator versus stairs” metaphor for learning. The conversation examines ethical classroom use, practical student affairs applications, and how technology might support, rather than replace, human relationships.

Dennis Passarella-George, Director of Resident Life at the University of Maryland, reflects on how campus jobs, mentors, and financial necessity launched his career in higher education. He explores belonging, care, responsibility, and the unexpected growth fostered by residential communities. Along the way, he shares leadership lessons on vulnerability, purpose over perfection, meaningful work, and the humble turtle tradition that keeps his team grounded.

Lauren Irwin, a University of Tennessee scholar of race and whiteness, and Zach Foste, a University of Kansas higher education researcher, challenge the idea that white students arrive on campus as “empty vessels.” They explore how families, schools, neighborhoods, silence, and sanitized history shape racial learning, how campus life can reinforce those patterns, and what more honest, humble cross-racial engagement could look like.

College student mental health continues to be one of the most pressing issues facing higher education. In this episode of Student Affairs NOW, host Heather Shea is joined by Dr. Alexis Redding, editor of Mental Health in College: What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students, along with contributors Bryan Ashton, Adrian Gonzales, and Dr. Adam Pierson Milano. Together, they explore the latest research on student well-being, discuss how financial stress, institutional culture, and support for veteran students shape mental health outcomes, and share practical, research-informed strategies that every campus can use to create environments where students can thrive. The post Mental Health in College: What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

In this episode of Student Affairs NOW, we explore the evolving field of Indigenous Student Affairs and Native student success in higher education through the lens of the recent volume Advancing Indigenous and Native Student Affairs: Evolving Knowledges and Practice. Joining us are editors Symphony Oxendine, Cori Bazemore-James, Deborah Taub, and John Garland for a wide-ranging conversation about identity, belonging, leadership, financial aid, professional networks, and culturally grounded student support for Native and Indigenous students. Together, we discuss how colleges and universities can move beyond deficit-based approaches toward practices that genuinely center Indigenous voices, strengths, relationality, and community, while also examining the realities Indigenous students and professionals continue to navigate across higher education today. The post Advancing Indigenous and Native Student Affairs  appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Crystal Garcia, a scholar of belonging and campus climate; Catherine S. Cho, a researcher on activism and inequity; Felicia Commodore, an expert in governance and HBCUs; and Leonard Taylor, a student success and data specialist, examine fast-changing higher education policy. They explore international student restrictions, graduate loan caps, accreditation reform, institutional accountability, and the growing strain on campus workers.】【。

When a young white girl pointed at him and asked her father, "What is that?" and he responded, "I don't know," the storyteller came to understand how racism shapes the ways people are taught to see others. Rather than allowing that moment to define him, it became the foundation for a career dedicated to social justice, education, and helping others recognize the humanity, dignity, and worth in every person. The post Here’s the Story: “More Than a Question” appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

In this podcast episode, Heather Shea and her guests challenge the traditional view that success in student affairs is strictly tied to promotions. They discuss mid-level careers as intentional and fulfilling choices, emphasizing the importance of individual narratives over societal pressures. Participants share insights on navigating hustle culture, work-life balance, and fostering supportive environments in higher education. The post Mid-Level as a Final Destination appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Scout Meredith Best, a political scientist and higher education advocate, and Jeremy Young, an AAC&U strategic initiatives advisor and former history professor, explore higher education’s declining public trust. They unpack five practical pillars: innovation, community engagement, inclusive excellence, clearer storytelling, and mission-centered defense. They also discuss student success, institutional autonomy, and how colleges can become more responsive, trusted community partners.

Scott Burke, teacher and curriculum developer behind a widespread Geometry & Construction program. Jay Mehta, middle school English teacher and doctoral student who centers storytelling in pedagogy. Dr. Meghan Grace, researcher on generational strategy and workforce trends. They discuss Gen Alpha communication styles, hands-on learning and applied skills, Millennial parents’ college influence, AI’s classroom impact, and emerging Gen Alpha strengths.