Student Affairs NOW

In this episode, join Drs. Tanya Koroyan, Steve Sutton, and Jason Lynch join the podcast as they explore professional staff wellness for those who work in and around residential living and student affairs. This conversation brings together 3 professionals who each possess both research and practitioner experience in this topic. They will explore not only the conversations they are having with their peers, but also provide current research, practical strategies, and useful resources to build or enhance workplace wellness.

This episode discusses the identities and experiences of Jewish students on campus today.. Many Jewish students have reported feeling unsafe and traumatized amidst the rise of antisemitism on campus, in our nation, and across the globe. Our guest, Dr. Elisa Abes, offers a critical perspective to deeply examine the realities of anti-semitism on college campuses and its impact on Jewish students.

The discussion highlights the distinct challenges Black women face in leadership roles within higher education. Mentorship emerges as a crucial support system, helping to combat feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome. The complexity of implementing DEI initiatives adds another layer of difficulty, often resulting in emotional strain. There’s a notable emphasis on bridging generational gaps, promoting authenticity over perfection, and fostering community among women in academia. Overall, the conversation calls for recognition and support of Black women’s integral contributions.

Explore the impact of grassroots voting initiatives on college campuses. Leaders discuss strategies to boost student voter registration and turnout. Hear personal stories about empowering youth through community involvement. Learn about the vital roles of collaborative partnerships and accessibility in fostering a culture of voting. Discover the importance of defending democracy and supporting electoral integrity. This conversation highlights how every student's vote can shape local elections and bolster civic engagement.

In this conversation, we discuss the challenges, pride, and support for first-generation graduate students. Guests share their experiences, tips for others, recommendations and suggestions for faculty and staff working to support these students, and ways involvement and engagement with ACPA can help get that support and look to address systemic issues in higher education and society.

For over 4 decades, Harry Le Grande has been a student affairs senior leader innovating and breaking barriers through his no-nonsense and people-first approach philosophy. His career spans multiple institutions and holding senior executive positions at the University of California, California State University, and California Community College systems. His commitment to helping  underrepresented professionals break through the glass ceiling, maneuvering the politics of higher education, and championing the values of our profession is well documented in his professional career. Listen in to a master storyteller as he takes us down his professional journey and shares a bit about his thoughts about the future of student affairs.

In this episode we are discussing serving minoritized students and the unique institutional types that focus on supporting minoritized students. Our hope is to focus on ways we can serve minoritized student populations at institutions that may not have been created with these populations in mind but are now playing an important role in providing access to higher education. By doing so, we hope to highlight what all institutions can learn about serving minoritized students and how professional associations, like ACPA, can better support student affairs and higher education professionals engaging in this important work.

Stefaan Van Hooydonk, an author on workplace curiosity and leadership, is joined by Dr. Hilary Lichterman, an expert on education and neuroscience. They delve into the critical role of curiosity in leadership, emphasizing its importance in nurturing an innovative culture. The duo discusses the evolution of curiosity from childhood to adulthood, highlights its transformative impact in workplaces, and addresses how curiosity can bridge gaps in higher education. Personal anecdotes, including a love for ducks, add a light-hearted touch to this insightful conversation.

In this episode, we’re discussing how to support students' mental health and well-being during education abroad programs. Join us for an insightful discussion with experts Vernon Wall and Drs. Shayna Perry and Matt Rader as we explore the unique challenges students face, best practices for support, and strategies for faculty and staff to enhance mental health resources during international programs.

Join four game designers as they discuss the role of games and play in learning. Drs. Tricia Siefert,  Colleen Smith, Tracy Fullerton, and Andrew Peterson challenge the misalignment of education as only linear and structured and explore the paradox of play -  how games' mystery, rules, and openness can create space for creativity, connection, emotion, learning, and more.