This chapter describes and discusses implications of the experiences of student affairs leaders--the challenges and the opportunities, the obstacles and the joy--for understanding and facilitating student affairs leadership.

Responses of student affairs leaders to questions about the challenges and obstacles they find in their work are examined and discussed.

The increased diversity of students enrolling in courses on college campuses today brings increased expectations regarding the capabilities of faculty and staff to address the many different needs of students. If colleges and universities are to promote greater staff effectiveness, they will need to create open environments that encourage campus…

As a result of environmental turbulence created by economic turmoil and shifting social policies, the world of higher education is experiencing widespread change. Student affairs professionals are well-positioned to influence the future direction of higher education and the impact education has for students and society. The NASPA 2012 conference…

In this article, the authors argue that the relevance of student affairs depends on the will to redefine the mission, structures, and practices to provide the leadership that institutions require. They begin with an overview of challenges to higher education and student affairs, examine the implications of those challenges for student affairs, and…

Dissusses events leading up to this special issue on the scholarship of student affairs. For 18 months the NASPA Journal Editorial Board engaged in an ongoing conversation about the future direction of the Journal. Issues discussed included: What should comprise the content of the Journal?, What do members want in the Journal?, and What type of…

Presents a response to "Uniting Scholarship and Communities of Practice in Student Affairs" (this issue). Proposes that scholarship can be integrated into the field of student affairs without disrupting practice. (GCP)

This document examines the relationship between the student affairs and academic functions in higher education and presents three major reasons why student affairs personnel should be involved in academic functions: (1) to contribute to the academic mission and life of the campus; (2) to show that student affairs operates from a body of knowledge…

Describes University of Maryland's "Education and Racism" course that provides unique opportunity for student affairs personnel to contribute to academic and student development missions of institution. (Author/CM)

Analyzes and presents suggestions from the literature for integrating multicultural knowledge and experiences into student affairs preparation programs at the master's degree level. Twelve content areas relating to higher education; student affairs; and work with individuals, groups, and organizations provide array for organizing these…

Assessed perceptions of graduate students in student affairs regarding their interracial experiences, knowledge, and skills. Master's degree students (n=453) from 28 student affairs preparation programs reported limited experiences and knowledge about persons of color, yet comfort with their skill level in working with visible racial and ethnic…

As leaders and community builders, senior student affairs officers face the challenge to end the hostility, oppression, and invisibility that often characterize the experiences of LGBT students on college campuses.