Student Affairs NOW

Jillian Kinsey, Associate Director at Indiana University, Glenn Davis, Vice President at Bowling Green State University, and Tim Dale, Associate Dean at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, engage in a lively discussion about reimagining student success in higher education. They argue for radical transformations in campus culture, structure, and collaboration. Key topics include using data to inform decisions, the importance of scaling successful practices, and lessons learned from the pandemic that emphasize student-first policies.

In this episode of Student Affairs NOW, host Heather Shea is joined by a powerful group of scholar-practitioners to explore mentoring and community-driven solutions in higher education. Recorded as an extension of a compelling panel from the ACPA–ASHE Presidential Symposium, the conversation examines mentoring as both a deeply personal act of care and a collective strategy for sustaining individuals, strengthening communities, and driving institutional change. Together, the panel reflects on how identity and positionality shape mentoring relationships, how culturally responsive practices foster more inclusive and affirming connections, and how community partnerships and collective approaches can expand the impact of mentorship beyond one-to-one models. This episode invites listeners to consider how mentoring rooted in care, justice, and joy can be transformative—for people, programs, and the field of student affairs. The post Rethinking Mentoring: From Personal Care to Collective Change appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Transformative Coaching for Faculty and Staff in Higher Education argues that a coaching approach can be a deeply human, ethical, and relational practice that can re-energize the people who make higher education work. In this conversation, we discuss what coaching is and isn't, what this approach can look like across higher education, and especially within student affairs work in these times. The post Transformative Coaching for Faculty and Staff in Higher Education appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

From Monday through Friday, 9–5, we see the forward-facing journey of leaders—the wins, the awards, the praise. What we don’t often talk about is the journey beneath the surface: the real life, the day-to-day internal dialogue, and the quiet battles no one applauds. This is a conversation about resilience without romanticizing it—about strength alongside exhaustion, and the gap between how leadership looks and how it actually feels. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re the only one holding it together while carrying so much, this episode is for you.  The post Here’s the Story: “Holding on to Possibility” appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

In this discussion, Dr. Michael Stebleton, a higher education professor at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, hosts students Hannah, Tyler, and Claudia. They dive into the real purpose of higher education, debating whether it should focus more on skills or personal development. The group explores vital topics like the importance of diversity, reimagining university structures, and addressing mental health and financial pressures. They also tackle the impact of AI on academic integrity and share their hopes for the future—linking education with community service and career aspirations.

Late nights, second phones, and responding to crisis after crisis can add up over time, even for the greatest heroes. Much like Captain America and Rupert Giles, higher education professionals are rethinking their career paths, roles on campus, and pivoting to focus on self-care while still finding ways to impact students. Moderated by Dr. Glenn DeGuzman (UC Berkeley), and featuring Dr. Martha Enciso (University of Redlands), Dr. Sofia B. Pertuz (Mainstream Insight, LLC), Dr. Emily Sandoval (University of Southern California), and Brian MacDonald (UCLA). The post Hanging up the Cape (for now) appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

Katie Pryal dives into the world of neurodivergence, exploring how societal norms often exclude neurodivergent individuals. She emphasizes a shift from viewing neurodivergence as a deficit to recognizing it as a valuable difference that enhances learning. The conversation covers practical strategies for faculty to create more inclusive classrooms, the importance of flexible grading, and fostering varied participation. Personal anecdotes highlight the challenges and strengths of neurodivergent students, urging a reevaluation of traditional educational practices.

In this episode of Here’s the Story, “Unraveling to Become,” Neil E. Golemo and JT Snipes sit down with Frank Shushok Jr.—mentor, professor, and living example of what’s possible in student affairs. Frank shares how mentors, dyslexia, and one bold conversation with a Baylor Regent helped him reimagine his future, ultimately leading him from nearly not graduating high school to the presidency of Roanoke College. The post Here’s the Story: “Unraveling to Become” appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

This episode of Student Affairs Now celebrates the twentieth anniversary of the Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL), one of the most influential research projects in student affairs and leadership education. Host Heather Shea talks with longtime colleagues and collaborators John Dugan and Kristan Cilente-Skendall about the study’s origins, impact, and evolution. Together they reflect on how the MSL has shaped our understanding of leadership, learning, and social responsibility across higher education and beyond. The conversation also explores their new venture, the Center for Expanding Leadership and Opportunity (CELO), and its role in advancing equity and human development for the next generation of learners. The post Twenty Years of the MSL: Leadership, Learning, and the Future of Expanding Leadership & Opportunity appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

In the latest podcast episode of Current Campus Context, Heather Shea discusses four critical issues affecting higher education: declining international student enrollment due to immigration policies, redefinition of professional degrees impacting student loans, ongoing budget cuts affecting staff, and shifts in college athletics regarding athlete compensation. The experts explore implications for institutions and student affairs. The post Current Campus Context: Chaos, Cuts & College Sports appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.