Student Affairs NOW

Dr. Paul Dosal reflects on his 15 years as an innovator, champion, and leader of student success and well-being. He shares lessons from creating institutional transformations for student persistence and retention through deliberative and intentional approaches, breaking down silos, predictive analytics, and creating cultures of care. He highlights blending technological tools and personal connecti...

In this episode, Dr. OiYan Poon and Dr. Demetri Morgan join Heather Shea to unpack three pressing developments shaping the current landscape of higher education. Together, they discuss the quiet but consequential elimination of the federal team that defines the poverty line—and what it means for Pell Grants and student access; Harvard’s public rejection of Trump's demands, signaling a potential tu...

In this episode of Student Affairs NOW, host Heather Shea is joined by Dr. Jason Cottrell, a longtime career employee at the U.S. Department of Education who was among the 1,300 staff members recently laid off. Jason shares insights into the role of the Department, how federal agencies navigate transitions between administrations, and what these layoffs mean for education policy. He also reflects...

Dr. Demetri Morgan and Dr. Felecia Commodore join host Heather Shea to explore the escalating pressures facing higher education, including the lack of board engagement in defending institutional autonomy, media attention toward higher education resistance, and the unjust revocation of student visas. Recorded on April 10th, this episode delves into how these developments reflect a broader shift in...

A renewed sense of purpose is gain after the smallest gesture from a student brings beauty to chaos.

In this origin story, Dr. Brooks shares his inspirational journey to the professoriate. Filled with triumphs as well as tragedies, his story reminds us of the importance of making your own path - one step at a time.

In the fifth episode of Current Campus Context, Heather Shea is joined by experts Dr. Felecia Commodore and Dr. Crystal Garcia to discuss the latest challenges facing higher education. They examine the growing threats to international students, including detention, deportation, and forced self-deportation, and the role of universities in protecting them. The conversation also explores faculty fear...

In this episode of Student Affairs Now, we're exploring the career shift from student affairs to alumni affairs with three panelists who have made the transition themselves: Josh Leidy, Rachel Clark, and Jessica Lee. How do student affairs skills translate to engaging alumni? What challenges and opportunities come with the shift? And what should student affairs professionals know if they're consid...

Dr. Felecia Commodore and Dr. Demetri Morgan join host Heather Shea to discuss the latest threats to higher education and what comes next. This episode was recorded at 5:11 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 27th.... The post Current Campus Context: Federal Student Aid, Institutional Autonomy & Associations’ Push Back appeared first on Student Affairs NOW .

Dr. Megan Gerhardt discusses moving from intergenerational differences as tension to opportunities. She shares ways we stereotype, shame, and blame other generations, as well as the four practices to help make intergenerational differences a strength in organizations.

In this episode (recorded at 5:08 p.m. on March 20), Dr. OiYan Poon and Dr. Crystal Garcia join Dr. Heather Shea to discuss the executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, the politicization of federal funding, and rising barriers for international students and scholars. The post Current Campus Context: Exec. Order Dismantling the Dept. of Education, Weaponizing Federal Funding,...

Struggling through his first year as a professor, Dr. Snipes faced feedback that made him question his future in academia. But just as he was ready to walk away, an unexpected encounter encourages him to stay.

It’s a story about love, loss, and a beautiful friendship between two higher ed professionals and what it is like for one to move on after the loss of the other.

In this week’s rapid-response episode, Dr. Heather Shea is joined by Drs. Felecia Commodore and Brendan Cantwell to break down the latest developments in higher education policy and politics. They discuss the U.S. Department of... The post Current Campus Context: Education Cuts, Student Detainment, and the Politics of Funding appeared first on Student Affairs NOW .

While attending the 2025 ACPA Conference in Long Beach, California, host Glenn DeGuzman invited random attendees to come in front of the camera and answer the following question: "What topic or issue is very important to you now and that you want to engage with more in student affairs?” The myriad of responses is a reminder of the diversity of people, places, and positions that make up our profess...

In this week’s rapid-response episode, Dr. Heather Shea is joined by Drs. Brendan Cantwell and OiYan Poon to break down the latest developments—from the Department of Education’s uncertain future to new guidance in the form... The post Current Campus Context: Dear Colleague Letter FAQ, “Illegal” Protests, and more appeared first on Student Affairs NOW .

Join us for a special episode of Student Affairs Now, recorded live at ACPA25 on Monday, February 17, where hosts Raechele Pope and Heather Shea sit down with higher education icons Dr. Lori Patton Davis and Dr. Shaun Harper. These lifelong friends and influential scholars reflect on their groundbreaking research, leadership journeys, and unwavering advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion. A...

We’re living in a moment where the ground is shifting daily—from policy changes and legal battles to funding decisions and challenges to the very foundations of our work to promote equity and access. The news... The post Coming Soon: Current Campus Context appeared first on Student Affairs NOW .

Listen in on a conversation with the ACPA Asian Pacific American Network (APAN) Leadership Team. While at the 2025 ACPA Conference in Long Beach, host Glenn DeGuzman invited members of the APAN leadership team, Sam Thornton, Wilson Deng, Em Nakamura, IC Ulep, and Yi Xuen Tay into his kitchen for a sit down conversation on a variety of API related topics and issues currently on the top of their min...

Editors and authors of the new book Addressing Student Success at Small Colleges join to discuss the power of small colleges in their community, unique niches, and culture. They also discuss the challenges around changing students and families, staffing, financial viability and possibilities around innovation, collaboration, and adaptability.

The team of scholars that researched and developed the Shared Equity Leadership model discusses the origins, applications, and emergence of this model. They discuss the personal journey, values, and practices and how they can support various ways toward helping all students succeed. They explain how distributed, embedded, and integrated responsibility and leadership can make a difference for all.

Panelists Helena Gardner Is the Director of Residence Education and Housing Services at Michigan State University. An authentic and dedicated student affairs professional, she is committed to fostering lifelong learning experiences and meaningful relationships. With... The post Here’s the Story: “Leaning on Collective Good.” appeared first on Student Affairs NOW .

In the midst of managing a campus hurricane evacuation during a pandemic, an administrator recounts a story of an escaped hamster lost in a hotel and his precocious 7 year-old daughter’s spirited campaign to find and rescue it.

Lisa Gerber discusses her new book, The Power of Story. Lisa shares that stories can help us connect, relate, and build trust. She also shares the three keys to good stories. Dr. Neil Golemo joins to learn from Lisa as he and colleagues launch a new episode format for Student Affairs Now called Here's the Story.

Drs. Jorge Burmicky and Kevin McClure discuss their research on effective leadership in higher education. They bring quantitative and qualitative data to help us understand the challenges and competencies of successful college presidents. They discuss the seven interconnected competencies and ways to develop them for more effective executive leadership in higher education and beyond.