Continued professional learning is a consistent focus of attention for the field of student affairs within higher education. Yet, very little research has been conducted on the factors that influence the motivation of student affairs professionals to pursue continued professional learning, especially professionals within community colleges. This…

Student affairs professionals (SA-pros) play a critical role throughout campus life (Gaston-Gayles, Wolf-Wendel, Tuttle, Twombly, & Ward, 2005; Hirt, 2006; 2009). Although these staff are trained and responsible for LGBQ student well-being (Kezar, 2010; Kezar, Gallant, & Lester, 2011), those serving at Christ-centered institutions are…

This article explores supervision as a form of professional socialization. Accordingly, we provide an overview of socialization theories before examining the role of supervisors in (re)socializing student affairs educators to norms, values, and standards of good practice in the field and in their workplaces over the span of their careers.

In this narrative inquiry study, we interviewed 5 graduate assistants who served as the primary point of contact for their public university's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) student services. We were interested in understanding the structural challenges that affected these employees' experiences in their roles. Participants were…

Staff participation in professional development is critical for the success of divisions of student affairs and institutions of higher education at large. However, mandating participation can lead to adverse effects and hostile workplace climates. This study examined what individual and organizational culture factors predicted participation in…

The overall goal of this study was to understand the motivating and organizational barriers that contribute to the turnover of Black, Indigenous, and student affairs professionals of color at predominantly White institutions of higher education. This problem of practice employed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews of Black,…

Abusive leadership has multiple interchangeable terms, such as destructive leadership, dark side leadership, petty tyranny, toxic leadership, tyrannical leadership, and harassment, to explain roughly the same thing. Whichever term utilized, none of them are healthy for a work environment in Student Affairs, whose purpose is to provide guidance,…

This dissertation examines the job satisfaction of mid to high level female student affairs administrators within higher education institutions in the United States. The study investigates factors related to job satisfaction as identified through Kalleberg's theory on intrinsic and extrinsic factors, and theories on mentorship and sponsorship as…

Graduate preparatory programs in student affairs usually include a graduate-assistantship experience. This experience is intended to expose students to valuable work experiences that will afford them the opportunity to apply theory to practice, as well as build professional competence. The underlying assumption is that this is primarily an…

The qualitative study explored the training and development provided to Community College academic advisors who are members of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). The purpose was to investigate the factors academic advisors believe are crucial for the support of their roles as advisors. Professional, faculty, and self-identified…

The purpose of this study was to explore the performance appraisal experience of 14 mid-level women in student affairs administration at four-year colleges and universities in Northern Illinois using a qualitative research approach involving personal interviews. Previous research on career development and advancement of mid-level women in student…

Advises young student affairs professionals as to how they might achieve personal and professional success at small, private, liberal arts colleges, both urban and rural. Examines problems endemic to the small college and ways the young professional can work to overcome them. (Author/ABB)