Student Affairs NOW

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.

Fernell Miller, a dedicated collaborator on racial healing, joins experts Dr. Mollie Monahan, who specializes in systemic oppression, and Dr. Jen Self, an authority on race and identity. They stress the importance of authenticity in discussing systemic issues. The trio promotes education as a tool for healing and emphasizes humility and curiosity. They also navigate the complexities of personal responsibility in racial healing and highlight the crucial role of safe spaces in fostering genuine conversations about race and identity.

Activists reflect on mobilizing for reproductive rights after the Dobbs decision, tackling accessible health initiatives. They spotlight a successful program offering free emergency contraceptives and confront period poverty through a student-led campaign. The dialogue emphasizes collaboration and community engagement in sexual health education, highlighting a conference aimed at fostering discussions. With a focus on mentorship and transparency, these students navigate challenges and drive impactful change in reproductive health advocacy.

Dr. Gina Garcia discusses Hispanic Serving Institions (HSIs). The conversation ranges from the definitions of HSIs and moving from demographics to "servingness." She also shares what that servingness can look like on various campuses including compositional diversity of faculty, staff, and administration; curricular inclusion; connections to serving local communities; and policy development.

Black women working in higher education as administrators, faculty, and staff face daily harms and traumas that affect their emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health and well-being. Black women are often hazed, shamed, and unsupported in myriad ways that put their health and their future at risk. Even when colleges and universities highlight their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, they rarely address the institutional and intersectional realities facing Black women. It is time for us to move beyond describing the problem and lean into discovering how to cope, survive, thrive,and embrace joy in our lives.

Panel discusses challenges of international work visas, importance of finding work modalities that suit you, and incorporating travel into work. Stories shared include living in Valencia, adapting work modalities in student affairs, and reflections on global citizenship.

Comedian, keynote speaker, recovering student affairs professional, and author of The Humor Habit, Paul Osincup talks about humor as a skill you can develop to help with your personal well-being and to be more effective as a leader. He offers insights on the neuroscience of humor, helpful strategies to be funny (without being icky), and lots of laughs.

Join three leadership scholars and practitioners as they discuss the International Leadership Association's General Principles for Leadership Programs. They focus on international contexts, colonization, culture, and critical perspectives. This conversation is relevant to leadership educators and leaders within and beyond higher education. How do we cultivate leadership informed by context and an international perspective?

Studies have pointed to the emerging increase of student affairs professionals leaving their roles and even opting to leave the field entirely. While there is a growing number of studies and testimonials why student affairs professionals are opting to leave their roles, there are also reasons why student affairs professionals choose to stay. In this episode, a panel of guests share their perspective on this topic and the retention and departure of student affairs professionals.

NASPA President Kevin Kruger joins us to look back and look forward on higher education trends, students, student affairs, and student affairs leadership. He shares the evolutions he has witnessed, the trends emerging, as well as his worries and hopes for what is ahead.