This exploratory embedded case study examined the personal and professional social media use of entry-level student affairs professionals at four campuses from a state university system. Bounded by the profession of student affairs, this study focused on how entry-level student affairs professionals used social media platforms. Findings suggest…

The COVID-19 crisis presented unique challenges for senior student affairs officers (SSAOs). Through interviews with a diverse group of 23 SSAOs, this study investigated SSAOs perceptions of this crisis as different from other crises. SSAOs identified several characteristics that made this crisis unique: no playbook to use as a guide, the…

We explored the connotations and stigmas surrounding the term first-generation college student (FGCS) among FGCSs and their peers from continuing-generation backgrounds in higher education. We used a mixed-methods approach, conducting qualitative interviews to gain in-depth perspectives and a quantitative survey to gather comparative data. We…

In this article, we discuss the role of scholarly practice in activism and advocacy for student affairs professionals. We provide an overview and history of scholarly practice in student affairs, highlight the challenges and barriers to scholarly practice, and provide a needed connection between scholarly practice and activism in student affairs.…

The CAS Standards are commonly used in undergraduate-facing student affairs practice but rarely discussed in legal education. This study explores law student affairs professionals' awareness and use of the CAS Standards, finding a significant divergence from the rest of the field and suggesting that (in the current era of increased scrutiny) law…

Few studies have been conducted on the use of the ACPA/NASPA Competencies (2015) in graduate preparation programs. To understand the use of these competencies in graduate preparation programs in student affairs, two case studies of two graduate preparation programs at public institutions in the South were conducted. Interviews with graduate…

Social norms theory offers a useful frame for understanding student use of university counseling centers. This study found engagement in the forms of living and working on campus and estimation of how many students on campus are using the university counseling center was significantly associated with counseling center use. Students' estimation of…

This study explores how students' professional learning is distributed across and mediated by multiple learning environments during student affairs graduate preparation. Utilizing activity system analysis and qualitative case study, the study reports on the experiences of four second-year Master's students at a Midwest preparation program.…

This study evaluates the measurement invariance of the Resident Assistants (RAs) Belongingness Scale (RARABS-10) using Rasch-based Differential Item Functioning (DIF) Analysis. Examining 201 RAs at a southern U.S. university, we found the scale generally reliable but potentially too easy for many RAs. One item showed significant differences…

The students at Southern Methodist University (SMU) did not have a favorable view of the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards. To change this connotation, the staff members developed a new innovative sanctioning model to allow students to select their educational sanctions. The model is inspired by restorative justice and is in line…

This mixed methods case study explored how graduate students in a higher education and student affairs (HESA) program perceive their preparation to engage in scholarly practice. The study provides insights for faculty members and administrators seeking to enhance current HESA graduate programs with a thesis-only option, and impart opportunities…

Scholars and practitioners have discussed the professionalization of student affairs almost since the birth of the field in 19th century. Professionalizing a field can improve its status and better serve members of an occupation and their clients (Pavalko, 1988). The purpose of this paper is to identify points of tension that illustrate efforts to…

Given calls to integrate critical perspectives in leadership education, this paper presents the findings from a study conducted to see how efficacious early-career professionals are in translating these concepts into their practice. Guided by narrative inquiry, we centered the stories of nine practitioners after they participated in CSP 786, a…

This qualitative narrative inquiry examined the professional preparation of sorority and fraternity (SFL) professionals working with culturally-based sororities and fraternities. Using narratives drawn from 15 professionals and guided by our conceptual framework, we unpacked important findings in terms of ways participants referenced their limited…

This study uses a critical consciousness framework to understand the experiences of higher education and student affairs (HESA) graduate students in an elective Diversity in HIED course. We drew from narrative inquiry to analyze data from selected student coursework in online discussion board conversations and journal entries. Students…