Student Affairs NOW

Katie Rose Guest Pryal’s bookYour Kid Belongs Here pushes back on ableist systems affecting neurodivergent (ND) children, college students, and the rest of us. Drawing on personal stories as a parent and expertise as a scholar, Pryal shows how exclusion is less about a child’s differences or behavior and more about the norms that institutions enforce. The book argues for a cultural shift: from viewing neurodivergence as a deficit to embracing it as a difference that enriches learning communities. The post Your Kid Belongs Here: Navigating Neurodivergence for Parents, Faculty, and Staff appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

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.

Dr. Jonathan A. McElderry is the Dean of Student Inclusive Excellence and an advocate for marginalized students, while Dra. Stephanie Hernandez-Rivera is a Puerto Rican educator focused on equity and inclusion. They discuss the urgent need to 'shake the table' in higher education by centering identity practitioners, especially amidst anti-DEI sentiments. The conversation touches on themes of survival, healing through storytelling, and the importance of documenting practitioner experiences for future generations. They also preview their next volume and emphasize the need for self-care and solidarity in their work.

When a residence hall went off the rails during the pandemic, Craig Allen didn’t send emails or wag his finger—he showed up with pizza, t-shirts, and presence. Hear how those small acts sparked a culture shift and reminded his team of the real power of connection. The post Here’s the Story: “Ship-Shape Shirley” appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Brian Brees, the first president of both the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University, shares insights from his 35-year career in higher education. He highlights the innovative concept of strong integration, which aims to break down silos and enhance student experiences. Dr. Brees emphasizes the importance of adaptive leadership, interdependence, and valuing relationships in educational governance. He also articulates how higher education can cultivate critical thinkers dedicated to the common good.

Elliot Felix is an author and higher education consultant dedicated to fostering student success, while Dr. Daniel Maxwell is the VP for Student Success at the University of Houston–Downtown, known for bridging academic and student affairs. They discuss innovative strategies for breaking down institutional silos and enhancing student belonging. Key topics include redefining student success through metrics and personal goals, integrating co-curricular experiences into academics, and the importance of horizontal leadership to unite staff for greater impact.

Learning to release the pressure of the "shoulds" and leaning into authentic desires is not easy feat. This episode explores the courageous decision of releasing the rules and making the decision to embrace a life worth living.  The post Here’s the Story: “Living without the ‘Should'” appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.

This episode was inspired by the recent article by Drs. Shaun Harper and Oscar Patrón, Three Decades of Campus Racial Climate Studies and 25 New Directions for Future Research, which builds on the foundational work of Dr. Sylvia Hurtado. Together, their scholarship has profoundly shaped how we understand race, racism, and belonging in higher education. We’ll discuss how campus racial climate research has evolved over the past 30 years, what challenges and opportunities remain, and where this critical field is headed next. The post Campus Racial Climate: Past, Present, & Future appeared first on Student Affairs NOW.