Involvement in student affairs professional development was investigated using McClusky's (1963) Power Load Margin (PLM) theory from the adult education field. The PLM theory is a framework for identifying sources of stress (load) and power in one's life; the amount of power available to handle stress is called margin in life (MIL). This study…

Presents research results that illustrate demographic profiles of chief student affairs officers. Analyzed survey data to identify variables influencing student affairs officers' next professional move. Results indicated interest to leave the field was related to promotion, college teaching, and changes to the public or private sector. (RC)

Factors affecting job satisfaction and the impact of satisfaction on job performance were investigated to develop strategies for dealing with low job satisfaction. Results indicated that student affairs staff were satisfied with their current jobs, but did not feel that student affairs was considered important at their institutions. (RC)

Studied mid-level administrators to ascertain the importance of particular management skills and administrators' self-perceived need for further development of these skills. Personnel management and leadership skills were rated the most important, yet respondents expressed a need for further development only in the area of fiscal management,…

Found that the developmental stage or level of an individual can be identified based on specific criteria, and professional growth can be at least partially measured. Discusses implications for student affairs professional preparation and practice as well as for professional associations. (JAC)