SA: Voices from the Field Podcast

Dr. Jill Creighton welcomes Andrew Hua, a Chinese Vietnamese higher education scholar and practitioner currently serving as the Director of Student Affairs Case Management Services at the University of California, San Diego. Andrew's journey into student affairs began as an undergraduate student involved in leadership activities, leading him to pursue graduate programs in student affairs. He initially worked in residential life roles and later transitioned into case management. The conversation delves into how case management adapted to remote and hybrid models during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on building strong relationships with students even in virtual settings.

Andrew shares his unexpected transition to the interim director role at UC San Diego and the challenges he faced during this significant shift in responsibility. Mentorship, support, and collaboration are highlighted as crucial aspects of professional transitions in student affairs. Andrew also discusses his decision to pursue a Doctorate in Education (EdD) while managing his leadership role and the challenges and rewards of such a commitment.

Throughout the episode, Andrew's journey exemplifies the importance of mentorship and support during career transitions in student affairs, as well as the significance of building rapport with students and colleagues, even in remote or hybrid work environments. He emphasizes the value of seeking and accepting support from mentors and peers when navigating transitions.

In this episode of Student Affairs Voices From the Field, Dr. Jill Creighton, welcomes W. Houston Dougharty, a seasoned student affairs professional with a four-decade career in various leadership roles at multiple colleges and universities. They explore Dr. Dougharty's journey in the field, the changes he has witnessed over the years, and the lessons he has learned.

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W. Houston Dougharty discusses his early passion for college life and how he started his career in admissions. He reflects on the significant changes brought about by technology and the complexity of students' lives in the current era compared to the simpler college life of the past. The two also discuss the importance of adapting to these changes while maintaining the fundamental relationship-based nature of the student affairs profession.

As W. Houston Dougharty transitioned from associate dean to senior student affairs officer to vice president, he shared how he continued to stay connected with students and emphasized the value of maintaining informal, friendly relationships with them. He also reflects on the challenges and support mechanisms as students navigate their growth and development.

W. Houston Dougharty's publications on theory to practice, ethical decision-making, and executive transitions are discussed. He explains how these opportunities came about through his connections with colleagues in NASPA and how they helped him bridge theory and practice within the field of student affairs.

The episode concludes with W. Houston Dougharty sharing his experiences in retirement, emphasizing the importance of service and community involvement. He mentions his volunteering activities and how he is finding ways to engage with the community and stay connected to education and student affairs through consulting and coaching opportunities.

Overall, the episode highlights the evolution of the student affairs field over the years, the enduring importance of relationships, and the importance of embracing change while upholding core values in the profession.

In this episode of Student Affairs Voices From the Field, Dr. Jill Creighton hosts Dr. Yisu Zhou, an accomplished university professor from the University of Macau. Dr. Zhou shares his unique journey from being an international student to becoming a professor and provides insights into the transitions in higher education, particularly in China and Asia.

The episode begins by introducing Dr. Yisu Zhou's background and educational journey. He highlights his early experiences as an English teacher in rural China, which sparked his interest in education. He pursued his PhD in the United States, which ultimately led him to his current role as a professor at the University of Macau.

Dr. Zhou emphasizes the impact of internationalization in higher education, discussing how the economic growth in China over the past two decades has created a demand for high-quality education. This demand has led to an increase in Chinese students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees abroad, especially in the United States. He also touches on the various stages of this trend, starting with Chinese students seeking doctoral programs overseas and later expanding to undergraduate programs.

The podcast delves into the differences between teaching styles in the West and East, highlighting the smaller class sizes and active communication in Western universities compared to the more lecture-focused approach in many Eastern institutions. Dr. Zhou suggests that educators and student affairs professionals should understand these cultural differences and proactively support international students in adapting to the new learning environment.

Dr. Zhou encourages student affairs professionals to be patient and understanding when working with students from different cultural backgrounds. He explains that while students from Asia may initially appear passive, they are actively processing information and sometimes take longer to initiate help-seeking behavior due to cultural differences.

The podcast concludes with Dr. Zhou emphasizing that international students can be valuable assets to higher education programs, as they bring strong work ethics and a commitment to academic excellence. He also highlights the need for international students to develop skills for navigating diverse and complex educational systems, which can differ significantly from their home countries.

This episode offers valuable insights for student affairs professionals and educators, providing a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with the internationalization of higher education and the diverse cultural backgrounds of students.

Dr. Jill Creighton welcomes Brian Medina, the director of Bias Incident Support Services at the University of Maryland, College Park, for a conversation on transitions in Student Affairs. Brian, an openly queer genderqueer and Latinx sexual assault survivor with multiple disabilities, discusses zir journey and experiences.

Brian started zir career in student affairs in resident life and student conduct, eventually transitioning into the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) space. They emphasize the importance of authenticity and finding one's true self in the workplace, highlighting the role of supportive colleagues and institutions in this process.

They also share zir experience of transitioning in terms of gender presentation, including using gender-neutral pronouns (zee/zir) and embracing a more authentic self, both personally and professionally. Brian's journey has been marked by self-discovery, self-acceptance, and gaining the confidence to bring zir full self to work, which has been transformative.

Brian discusses the evolving landscape of bias response work in higher education and its intersection with Title IX regulations. They emphasize the importance of building solidarity across different identities and experiencing intersectionality in tackling power-based violence.

The conversation also touches on the regional differences in student affairs work and the impact of state legislation on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in higher education.

Brian reflects on zir transition from a career in residence life to DEI work, highlighting the challenges and successes along the way. They acknowledge the frustrations of job searching and the importance of resilience in navigating the field.

As co-chair elect of the NASPA Gender and Sexuality Knowledge Community (KC), Brian talks about the KC's activities and its commitment to expanding its reach by collaborating with other KCs, fostering inclusivity, and encouraging involvement from a diverse range of professionals in the field.

Brian wraps up the conversation by encouraging listeners to embrace transitions as part of life's journey and to remember the resilience and progress made by previous generations in creating a more inclusive world.

Overall, this episode explores the theme of transitions in higher education, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, self-discovery, and solidarity in the field of student affairs. It also highlights the evolving nature of diversity, equity, and inclusion work and the significance of regional context in higher education.

In this episode of "Student Affairs Voices from the Field," Dr. Jill Creighton discusses transitions in Student Affairs with her guest, Dr. Chrissy Roth Francis, who made the leap from student affairs to a career in the tech industry. The episode highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by student affairs professionals considering a pivot into adjacent roles. Dr. Creighton emphasizes the importance of this discussion, acknowledging the diverse experiences within the field.

Dr. Chrissy Roth Francis shares her journey through higher education, starting as an involved undergraduate student, pursuing a master's degree at New York University, and eventually landing a dream job at the University of Southern California, where she worked with international students. She later became the Director of New Student Services at UC Berkeley, overseeing orientation for a growing number of students. However, the transition to a "welcome week" structure became a significant challenge and contributed to her decision to pivot out of higher education.

The conversation delves into why Dr. Roth Francis chose to pivot into the corporate world, specifically in talent development at LinkedIn. She highlights the transferable skills gained in higher education, such as problem-solving, strategic planning, and public speaking, which have proven valuable in her new role. Dr. Creighton discusses the various options available to student affairs professionals, including staying in the field, changing the field from within, or pursuing opportunities outside higher education.

Dr. Roth Francis emphasizes the need for clear boundaries and work-life balance in her new career, a departure from the long hours and weekend commitments common in student affairs. She discusses the practicality of her decision, citing the desire for a better lifestyle and higher income as motivating factors. Both hosts express appreciation for student affairs professionals and the essential work they do in supporting students.

The episode concludes with a discussion of career trajectories, with Dr. Roth Francis sharing her experience of initially taking a step down in her career to gain experience in the corporate world. She highlights the importance of recalibrating and expanding one's skill set while also acknowledging the financial benefits of her decision.

Dr. Creighton emphasizes the need for higher education to adapt and connect with industry to prepare students with the skills necessary for success. She encourages SA professionals to explore all available options, connect with others who have made similar transitions, and conduct thorough research before making career decisions.

In this episode of "Student Affairs Voices From the Field," Dr. Jill Creighton welcomes Dr. Eric Stoller, the VP of Marketing and Digital Content at territorium, for a conversation about the evolving landscape of higher education and the role of technology in student affairs. They discuss various trends in higher education technology and how it impacts both academic and student affairs divisions. 

Dr. Stoller traces his journey from his early experiences as a marketing specialist at the University of Illinois, Chicago, to becoming a respected thought leader in the higher education technology space. He emphasizes how technology has become an integral part of the entire higher education experience, noting the importance of CRM tools, mobile apps, and the shift toward hybrid and remote learning during the pandemic.

The conversation delves into the changing value of higher education credentials and the importance of measuring and verifying outcomes related to critical thinking, skills development, and employability. Dr. Stoller discusses the growing focus on micro-credentials, badges, and the idea of a learner's "digital wallet" to showcase skills and experiences.

They also touch upon the need for interoperability in higher education technology and how data and analytics will play a more significant role in student affairs, helping institutions understand student needs and provide better support.

The episode concludes with a discussion of the evolving role of student affairs in helping students navigate diverse pathways to success, emphasizing the need for personalized support and pathways for learners, regardless of whether they complete a degree.

This episode sheds light on the transformative impact of technology on higher education and how student affairs professionals can adapt to these changes to better serve students in an evolving landscape.

Please subscribe to SA Voices from the Field on your favorite podcasting device and share the podcast with other student affairs colleagues!

In this episode, we have a special guest joining us, Kenneth Samson. Kenneth is not only a first-generation American college student, but also a new father. 

Dr. Jill Creighton welcomes Kenneth Samson, a first-generation American college student who also falls into the category of a 1.5 generation student. Kenneth's parents have college degrees, but they graduated in the Philippines, which presented unique challenges for him as he navigated the American college system. He shares his journey, starting at Pasadena City College and eventually transferring to California State University, Los Angeles, where he graduated with a BA in English. Despite needing guidance as a first-generation student, Kenneth struggled to seek help due to his unfamiliarity with the process.

Kenneth's story doesn't end there. He went on to teach English to medical school and high school students for over a decade, many of whom were also first-generation or 1.5 generation students. He recently completed his Master's of Education in educational counseling at USC, with the goal of supporting students and promoting help-seeking behaviors, particularly for marginalized students in Southern California Community Colleges. Kenneth is embarking on a new career as a counselor at Long Beach City College and a counseling instructor at multiple colleges while celebrating the arrival of his two-month-old son, Kenji.

Throughout the conversation, Kenneth emphasizes the importance of networking and utilizing resources, especially during transitions. He discusses how he manages his various roles and transitions by meticulously organizing his schedule with Google Calendar. Kenneth also reflects on how his teaching approach has evolved from K-12 to higher education, emphasizing empowerment and bravery in students. He encourages others to follow their dreams and not be afraid to make career transitions, even if it means taking a leap of faith. He shares his experience of dealing with rejection during the job application process and the importance of seeking feedback for personal growth. Kenneth's story serves as an inspiring example of perseverance, adaptability, and the pursuit of one's passions in the field of student affairs.

Welcome back to another episode of SA Voices From The Field! In today's episode, we have a special guest, Hyunmin Kim, who will be sharing their insights and experiences in the field of higher education and student affairs.

In this episode of the "Student Affairs Voices From the Field" podcast, Dr. Jill Creighton interviews Hyunmin Kim, the assistant director of residential life for the Courtyards at the University of Maryland. Hyunmin shares his journey into student affairs and his recent transition into his current role.

Hyunmin's journey into student affairs began with a personal connection to residential life, as he grew up in a family housing unit on a university campus. He found his passion for working with students while in college, leading him to pursue a master's degree in public administration with a focus on educational leadership. His career path eventually led him to become the assistant director at the Courtyards.

During the discussion, Hyunmin reflects on his first 90 days in his new role, highlighting the challenges and learning experiences. He emphasizes the importance of taking time to reflect and recharge, especially in a field that can be emotionally demanding.

Hyunmin also discusses his approach to supervising professional staff and the transition from supervising paraprofessionals. He values building close relationships with those he supervises and believes in a balance of professionalism and personal connection.

Looking ahead, Hyunmin discusses his plans to focus on building a strong culture and traditions within the Courtyards community. He aims to engage upperclassmen residents and establish a legacy of involvement and participation. Additionally, he explores ways to use social media to connect with students and meet them where they are while maintaining the university's educational mission.

In conclusion, Hyunmin encourages others in the field to smile, remember why they chose student affairs, and be innovative in their approach to engage and support students. He also stresses the importance of setting a positive and inclusive culture within residential communities.

In this episode of "Student Affairs Voices from the Field," Dr. Kevin Kruger, President of NASPA, discusses his upcoming retirement and the transitions in student affairs. Dr. Kruger reflects on his 30-year journey at NASPA and the reasons behind his decision to step down as president. He emphasizes the importance of retiring on his own terms and while still making meaningful contributions to the field. Dr. Kruger also discusses the challenges and opportunities facing student affairs professionals, including the need to close attainment gaps for underrepresented students and navigate financial pressures on higher education institutions.

He highlights the importance of staying intellectually engaged in retirement and shares his interests in history and leadership. Dr. Kruger also expresses his hope for NASPA's continued role in supporting student affairs professionals and advocating for the value of their work in higher education. He discusses some of the initiatives and partnerships NASPA has undertaken during his tenure, including the Center for First Generation Student Success and efforts to secure external resources to benefit NASPA members.

Dr. Kruger concludes with gratitude for the privilege of working in the field of student affairs and the incredible people and teams he has had the opportunity to work with during his career. He reflects on his love for the work he has done and the positive changes he has witnessed in student affairs over the years.

Dr. Kruger's unwavering dedication to NASPA and his desire to leave a lasting legacy have guided his decision-making process, ensuring a smooth transition for the organization as it enters its next chapter.

In this episode, we are joined by Clarissa Mae Calimbas, Assistant Director for Student Organizations at San Jose State University. Clarissa Mae takes us on a journey through her professional career, from her early days as a transfer student to her current role overseeing 350 student organizations. She shares her experiences of being terminated from her first professional position during the height of the pandemic, and how she found the strength to rebuild her professional confidence.

Through her story, Clarissa Mae reveals the importance of finding the right fit and staying true to one's values, even in the face of uncertainty. We also delve into the topic of transitions in Student Affairs, exploring the challenges faced by professionals and the various opportunities for growth and development.

Join us as we dive deep into Clarissa Mae's inspiring journey and gain valuable insights into navigating transitions, building resilience, and finding one's voice in the world of Student Affairs.

In this episode of "Student Affairs Voices from the Field," Dr. Jill Creighton, the host, welcomes Dr. Chicora Martin as the season premiere guest. They discuss transitions in higher education and leadership within NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators). Dr. Martin shares her personal journey into student affairs, highlighting her circuitous path from aspiring to be a judge to finding her passion in student affairs.

Dr. Martin praises the podcast for its role in bringing forward the student affairs profession and shares how her chance meeting with a graduate student reflects her commitment to mentorship. She emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities, even if they seem serendipitous, and how her own journey into student affairs was influenced by unexpected connections and experiences.

Dr. Creighton and Dr. Martin reminisce about their first meeting at the University of Oregon, highlighting the interconnectedness of the student affairs profession and the smallness of the community, which can be both a benefit and a challenge, especially for newcomers and those from underrepresented backgrounds.

They delve into Dr. Martin's transition into her role as NASPA Board Chair, discussing the selection process and the responsibilities associated with it. Dr. Martin shares her approach to this role, focusing on community engagement and connecting with NASPA members to ensure that the organization remains member-centric.

The conversation then shifts to Dr. Martin's experiences with transitioning between different types of institutions and geographic locations. She emphasizes the importance of remaining open to learning and adapting one's experiences to fit the new environment. Dr. Martin shares a valuable lesson about recognizing that her way of doing things is not the only way, citing an example from her time at Mills College. She acknowledges that leadership requires understanding and accommodating different individuals' tolerance for change and making decisions with grace and collaboration.

The episode concludes with Dr. Martin's reflections on the importance of building trust within her team and being open to feedback and adjustments in leadership decisions.

Overall, this episode highlights the significance of embracing transitions, seizing opportunities, and fostering inclusivity and trust in leadership roles within the student affairs profession and organizations like NASPA.

This week on  SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Gian Luca Giovannucci, President of the European University College Association.

Gian Luca is a lawyer registered with the Italian bar association.

He has been on the board of directors of Collegio Universitario Internazionale di Roma (CUIR) since 1992, advocating for the integration of life skills in the academic curricula and working for national recognition of University Colleges of Merit (Collegi di Merito) to foster academic excellence in Italy. 

Recognizing the added value of internationalization in higher education, Gian Luca promoted the creation of the European University College Association (EucA) in 2006, and he has been its president ever since. During his tenure with EucA, Gian Luca has pursued the association’s growth, and official recognition by European Union institutions of University Colleges’ role in providing a holistic education for students that strengthens their development and employability.

While at EucA, he has overseen the creation and management of European research projects, namely Modernising Higher Education through Soft Skills Accreditation (MODES).

He is a keen supporter of NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, with which he has collaborated since 2012 in the organization of International Events.

From the beginning, Gian Luca has enthusiastically participated in IASAS's creation. He has participated from the first meeting in 2010 in Venice, with IASAS President Emeritus Roger Ludeman, to his current role as Treasurer.

In 2012, he attended the first IASAS Global Summit in Washington D.C., USA. He organized the second in Rome, Italy in 2014, continuing the collaboration until the Global Summit in Cork, Ireland in 2022.

Gian Luca is a co-author of the volume "Supporting Students globally in the Higher Education", published in 2016 by IASAS and NASPA.

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Dr. Niamh Nestor, Student Adviser at the Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin. 

Niamh’s work is focused on student support, primarily on mental health and well-being among veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing students. Niamh’s background is in sociolinguistics, migration, and integration, and her doctoral research focused on Polish children and teenagers who had migrated to Ireland since Poland joined the European Union in 2004. At UCD, Niamh’s work is focused on student support, primarily on mental health and well-being among veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing students.

 She supports the rollout of the HEA National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework at UCD. Niamh is an active member of the community life of the university. She runs UCD Purl Jam, the university’s craft/creative group. She co-founded the Veterinary Community Garden on campus. She is also an active member of the UCD Community Choir. Niamh is involved in implementing equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives in her School and the wider UCD community. She co-chairs the UCD LGBTQI+ EDI committee and the UCD LGBTQI+ Staff Network. She is an active member of the Athena SWAN Committee in her school. She joined this committee because she is deeply committed to challenging injustice, intolerance, and bigotry and to achieving equality, diversity, and inclusion for all. She believes in active allyship and is passionate about fighting against complacency. Rights that have been hard won can be easily lost, and every small thing we do to protect those rights matters. EDI work on higher-level campuses is vital in this regard, and Niamh is particularly interested in empowering and supporting students to continue the fight for equality into the future.

Outside of work, Niamh loves to work in her garden. She has recently joined a dance class and taken up carpentry. She volunteers for Dublin Lesbian Line, teaches piano, and likes to travel. 

Niamh Nestor is on LinkedIn, and also people can get in touch by email: [email protected].

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed David Pe, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at NYU Shanghai. 

In his role, David Pe oversees the student life experience for NYU Shanghai’s diverse student community and ensures that all students are provided the support and resources needed to thrive during their studies at this university. His areas of oversight include Residential Life, New Student Programs, Student Belonging, Athletics & Fitness, Student Health, Career Development, Student Involvement, and Inbound/Outbound Mobility.

David joined NYU Shanghai in 2012 as an inaugural member of the university’s administrative team, helping to build NYU Shanghai from the ground up. He has also served in various capacities within student life at the NYU campus in New York. 

David holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Literature from the University of California, Los Angeles, a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from New York University, and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. His research interests include intercultural communication and the interactions between design and learning.

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Hala Al-Abdulrazzaq, Dean of Student Affairs at the American University of Kuwait (AUK). 

Hala Al-Abdulrazzaq earned a B.A. in Psychology from George Washington University in 2005 and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Educational Leadership  at the University of Central Florida. Since joining American University of Kuwait in 2008 as an academic advisor, Ms. Abdulrazzaq was appointed as Assistant Director in 2012 and Director of the Academic Advising Center in 2017. Ms. Abdulrazzaq continuously improved upon the academic advising landscape at AUK always maintaining the academic and holistic success of students as her ultimate goal.  She was responsible for the efficient and effective operations of academic advising activities and carried out the responsibilities of quality academic advising services while continuously interfacing with faculty and staff alike. 

As Dean, Ms. Abdulrazzaq is in charge of the Academic Advising Center, the Office of Student Life, the Counseling Center, and the direction and management of the Dean of Student Affairs Office.

Her approach to promoting excellence, encouragement, and hands-on support within the Division and AUK community is exemplary. Ms. Al- Abdulrazzaq’ s willingness and efforts to enhance the student experience have not gone unnoticed.

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed PhD candidate in China, Echo Zhao.

Echo Zhao was an international student in the United States for about six years and a double alumnus of Iowa State University. Like many international students, she entered college underprepared to succeed. Her parents valued education but could not help her navigate college with their language barriers. She struggled with her academics, self-confidence, and sense of belonging.

She switched three majors because she was unsure of what she wanted to do. With different student affairs professors’ support and help, she continued her master’s degree in higher education-student affairs. Her college experience became the catalyst for her career in student affairs.

She has worked in 5 different departments within Student Affairs in 3 different types of institutions in her past working experiences. She realizes the need to connect practical practices with theoretical knowledge to further contribute to the international higher education field.

Meanwhile, she values herself as a lifelong learner. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Macau in the Faculty of Education. I hope I can continue supporting college students’ dreams and empowering them to own their path to a degree in my current role and future.

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Mirela Mazalu, Secretary General of the European University College Association (EucA). 

Mirela Mazalu spends her day job in the European higher education by helping students explore career pathways and gain confidence in their potential. 

When she's not pursuing directly students' aha moments, she does it indirectly by organising professional development initiatives for student affairs staff internationally.

Her official job title is Secretary-General of the European University College Association - EucA, a non-profit association based in Belgium. 

She joined EucA in 2010 and serves in her current capacity since 2017. 

Mirela speaks 5 languages, Romanian, Italian, English, Spanish and French, and has lived in 3 countries, Romania, Italy and Belgium. 

But the best title she has is, simply, international educator.

When asked where home is, she feels most comfortable replying “Europe”.

Please subscribe to SA Voices from the Field on your favorite podcasting device and share the podcast with other student affairs colleagues!

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Wadad Youssef El-Husseiny, Consultant to VP of Student Affairs at Qatar University.

Ms. Wadad Youssef El-Husseiny Consultant to VP of Student Affairs at Qatar University. She has worked at multiple institutions in the Middle East and started her career as Instructor of Social Sciences at Balamand University in Lebanon where she taught for a decade. In 2001, she joined the American University of Beirut as Director of Student Activities till 2009. Joined Qatar University as Consultant to VP of student affairs where she resumed the responsibility of Acting Director of Student Activities till May 2012. Since 2012 her role as consultant for the VP entitled her to get involved in various strategic initiatives to ensure the success of Qatar University students. She is the chair of the Student Affairs Professional Development committee at Qatar University.

Former vice president for the IASAS (International Association of Student Affairs and Services). Certified Springboard Trainer since 2010 which is Women’s empowerment program in collaboration with Springboard Consultancy. Member of the MENASA-NASPA board for 2020-2022.  Recipient of  the Wisdom Award of the Commission of Women’s Identities – ACPA in 2021. Interested in Leadership of Higher Education and Student Affairs, and women role in higher education. 

Well known for having her finger on the pulse of the region, Wadad continues to be an engaged advocate of professional development, and student affairs leadership in the Middle East.

Please subscribe to SA Voices from the Field on your favorite podcasting device and share the podcast with other student affairs colleagues!

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Dr. Sumun L. Pendakur, DEI Strategist/Consultant, Speaker, and Trainer with Sumun Pendakur Consulting.

Dr. Sumun L. Pendakur (Sumi) believes that we have infinite capability to imagine and enact a more just, equitable, and compassionate world. Sumi is a scholar-practitioner, an activist-educator, a skilled facilitator, and a mom. With nearly 20 years in the field of higher education and a decade as a DEI speaker and trainer, Sumi's work and research focuses on helping campuses, corporations, non-profits, and other organizations build capacity for social justice and racial equity by empowering individuals at all levels to be transformational agents of change in their spheres of influence. Most recently, Sumi was the Chief Learning Officer and Director of the USC Equity Institutes at the USC Race and Equity Center, dedicated to advancing racial justice in higher education and other sectors. Prior to that position, Sumi held roles as the Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Harvey Mudd College, serving on the President’s Cabinet and directing the Office of Institutional Diversity, and as the Director for USC Asian Pacific American Student Services.

Sumi received her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership, as well as the Dissertation of the Year award, for her study on institutional change agents, from the USC Rossier School of Education. Sumi is serving her second term on the Board of Directors for NADOHE, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. She has served as Faculty Coach for the AAC&U’s multi-year TIDES (Teaching to Increase Diversity and Equity in STEM) Institute. She is also the co-editor, with Dr. Shaun Harper and Dr. Stephen Quaye, of Student Engagement in Higher Education: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Approaches for Diverse Populations (3rd edition) (2020). In 2019, she was named one of the top 35 women in higher education by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine.

Sumi is the multilingual daughter of immigrants, was raised in the Midwest, and currently calls Los Angeles, CA, home. She is the wife of actor Sunil Malhotra, and proud mommy to Shashi Veer and Shama Shakti.

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Dr. Janelle Rahyns about her own experiences leading efforts for NASPA in international student affairs.

Dr. Janelle Rahyns serves as the associate director for global initiatives and virual learning at NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. She supports the association's international initiatives such as NASPA's Global Division, the MENASA Advisory Board, the MENASA NASPA Conference, the Global Summit on Student Affairs and Services, the International Symposium, the International Exchange Program, and assists in the support of the Latin America and the Caribbean Advisory Board. Prior to joining NASPA, Janelle served as the Assistant Dean at Yale-NUS College in Singapore, and the Resident Director at the University of California Los Angeles. Her research interests focus on African American college students, comparative study abroad experiences, international student affairs, and race and ethnicity in study abroad.

Janelle holds a Ph.D. in Social Science & Comparative Education with a concentration in International & Comparative Education from the University of California Los Angeles, an M.Ed in Student Personnel in Higher Education and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida.

This week on NASPA'a SA Voices From the Field podcast, we interviewed W.P. Wahl about his own experiences working in South Africa.

Dr. W.P. Wahl has been involved in student affairs for 21 years, and currently serves as Director: Student Life at the University of the Free State (UFS), in central South Africa – a position he has occupied since October 2016. During the past two decades he has been involved in numerous transformation projects, involving highly diverse student communities. From 2017 to 2019 Dr Wahl directed, in collaboration with a co-director from the United States, the annual ACUHO-I Student Housing Training Institute in South Africa. During 2021 and 2022 Dr Wahl served as the principal investigator of a national research study on student-centred universities for the Transformation Strategy Group (TSG), Universities South Africa (USAf).

He is well published and his scholarly focus centres around creating campus environments that are conducive to student learning, development and success, especially students hailing from disadvantaged backgrounds. Dr Wahl served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology (JCEP) during 2021 and 2022, as well as editor of the Journal of Student Affairs in Africa (JSAA) for the past seven years. He also supervises Masters and PhD students in the Faculty of Education, UFS. His most recent book, co-authored by Louis H. Falik, (Accommodating Marginalized Students in Higher Education: A Structural Theory Approach) will be published by Routledge in 2023. He is married to Siobhone and is the father of three children; Judah, Joshua and Milcah.

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Baishakhi Taylor about her own experiences working in Abu Dhabi, after years working in student affairs within the United States.

Baishakhi Taylor is a member of the University’s senior leadership team and oversees the Division of Student Affairs, which comprises the following departments: student life, the career development center, community outreach, spiritual life and intercultural education, the student health center, student success and well-being, and athletics. 

Baishakhi holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree in Women’s Studies from the University of Northern Iowa, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, India. She is fluent in several languages, including Bangla, Hindi/Urdu, and German.

Prior to joining NYU Abu Dhabi, Taylor served as the Dean of the College at Smith College in Northampton, MA. She oversaw academic advising, international students, student affairs, residential life, student engagement, health and counseling services, athletics, career services, and disability services. 

Baishakhi joined Smith College from Middlebury College, where she served as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, and as Assistant Professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies. During her tenure at Middlebury, Taylor co-led the Alliance for Inclusive Middlebury, a presidential committee charged with developing a strategic plan for making inclusion a priority for the institution.

Prior to her work at Middlebury, Taylor served as the associate dean of Trinity College of Arts and Sciences at Duke University and the program director of DukeEngage-Kolkata. She was also a member of the faculty at the Duke Center for South Asian Studies.

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Dr. Dave Stanfield about his own experiences working in Singapore, after years working in student affairs within the United States.

Dave Stanfield is Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Yale-NUS College in Singapore. Dr. Stanfield oversees residential education, campus life, student services, career services, study abroad, intercultural engagement, and student well-being.

Since joining Yale-NUS in 2019, Dr. Stanfield has engaged deeply with the Yale-NUS student body to enhance student life and create an innovative and distinctive residential curriculum. His leadership of the student affairs team has centered around fostering a sense of belonging for all students, enhancing student support structures, and enabling collaboration across campus units. Dr. Stanfield has extensive student affairs experience in the context of international higher education partnerships, as he also served on Carnegie Mellon University’s campus in Doha, Qatar (2006-2011), where he was Director of Student Activities and First-Year Programmes.

While pursuing his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, Dr. Stanfield was a research assistant at the Boston College Center for International Higher Education; his research focused on innovative transnational higher education strategies and organizational structures. After completing his doctorate, with an appreciation for the importance of international educational research and assessment, Dr. Stanfield joined the Council of International School (CIS) in Leiden, Netherlands, as Head of Research and Development. He helped develop CIS’ International Accreditation protocol and created resources to support member universities in achieving their international student recruitment goals.

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Jennifer Hamilton about her experiences working in student affairs and leading efforts to connect Canadian student affairs professionals together.

Jennifer Hamilton is the first-ever Executive Director of the Canadian Association of College & University Student Services. CACUSS is a non-profit association with over 1400 members in Canada. Jennifer has served in this staff leadership role of Canada’s student affairs association since 2011.

Jennifer has a BA in International Development/Agriculture from the University of Guelph. She has a MS from Colorado State University in Student Affairs in Higher Education. She is a current student in the PhD Program in Higher Education at OISE, University of Toronto. Her research is a grounded theory study to understand how Canadian Student affairs professional staff develop competencies.

Prior to joining CACUSS, she worked as a student affairs professional for 15 years in the areas of leadership development and student life, career services, academic advising, orientation programs and international student services. She worked at OCAD University, University of Toronto and Portland State University. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her partner and 2 children aged 14 and 16.

This week on SA Voices From the Field, we interviewed Omneya Badr about her own experiences working in student affairs as well as directing efforts of student affairs professionals working in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

Omneya Badr is the current director of MENASA NASPA. MENASA is the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia region of NASPA. She is a Student Affairs enthusiast who sees a huge potential for growth in the region.

Omneya Badr holds the position of Senior Academic Advisor at Qatar University and previously was a lecturer and faculty advisor at NYIT Bahrain (New York Institute of Technology). Omneya has gained a culturally diverse experience studying, teaching, and working for over 20 years in the USA, UK, Egypt, Bahrain, and Qatar.

Omneya is a frequent presenter at NASPA and NACADA conferences. Her research interest is culturally based on Academic Advising, branding higher education, MENA First-generation students, cross-cultural communication, Student Success initiatives, FYE, and education as a soft power.

Omneya holds an MBA from the University of Bath – UK, a Certificate of Entrepreneurial Small Business Operation from the Academy of Arts, California - USA, and a BA in Management from the American University in Cairo - Egypt. In addition, she recently acquired a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida - USA. As an educator, Omneya is highly interested in developing professional development venues in the MENA regions and encouraging Student Affairs Professionals to research and share knowledge.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Raphael X. Moffett about his own experiences working in China after many years working in student affairs within the United States.

A native of Washington State, Dr. Raphael X. Moffett began his career in higher education working in Residence Life at Clark Atlanta University in 2002. He was inspired by working with college students and made the decision to pursue a career in student affairs. During the past 20 years, he has gained valuable experience serving in progressive leadership roles at Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University, Morehouse College, and Trinity University. Known as an inspirational leader, Dr. Moffett has also served in senior leadership positions as the Vice President for Student Services at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas and the Vice President for Student Affairs at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma, and Dean of Students at Duke Kunshan University in Kunshan, China.

Currently, Dr. Moffett serves as the Chief Student Affairs Officer at the Schwarzman Scholars program located at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. In this role, he is responsible for strategic initiatives that support the holistic development of graduate students from 32 countries. Dr. Moffett is also the Founder of Inspire YOUniversity, LLC, a consultancy supporting universities, sports teams, corporations, faith-based organizations, and non-profit organizations to become the best versions of themselves.

Dr. Moffett is a visionary that is committed to serving others by providing opportunities for students and staff to define success for themselves and pursue their goals. He is known in higher education as being a servant leader who is personable and values driven. He believes every person has the ability to achieve professional success and personal growth with the proper guidance and support. 

Dr. Moffett earned a B.A. in English and Education from Washington State University. He earned a M.Ed. and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Clark Atlanta University. In his leisure time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son, visiting family, reading, watching and playing basketball, calligraphy, music production, trying new restaurants, and traveling.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Melanie Buford and Dr. Michael J. Stebleton, editor and authors of an upcoming new book Mapping the Future of Undergraduate Career Education.

Melanie Buford is an Author, Career Consultant, and Teaching Specialist for the Leadership Minor at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She is lead editor of the recent release Mapping the Future of Undergraduate Career Education - an international effort to  evolve career preparation in higher education . Her work has been featured on EdSurge, Puttylike, Truity, and Happen to Your Career. Melanie received the Ralph W. Tyler Award  for outstanding research and the Kenneth B. Hoyt Career Education Practitioner Award for innovative practice. She earned her Ed.M. in Human Development from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Michael J. Stebleton is Professor of Higher Education in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, USA. His research and teaching interests focus on college student development and career development with an emphasis on the undergraduate experience and student success.  His work has appeared in numerous venues including:  Journal of College Student Development, Journal of College and Character, Journal of Career Development, and The Career Development Quarterly. Stebleton is a Merit Award recipient through the National Career Development Association (NCDA). Stebleton is co-editor of the recently published book, Mapping the Future of Undergraduate Career Education, by Routledge (2023).

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We are very excited to be preparing for Season 8 of SA Voices from the Field. This season we will be doing something different. Take a listen while Jill Creighton and Chris Lewis talk about the new season.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we brought back Dr. Amelia Parnell as we talked about the outcome of the midterm elections and the future of public policy as we end our public policy season.

Amelia Parnell is vice president for research and policy at NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, where she leads many of the Association’s scholarly and advocacy-focused activities. Amelia’s policy and practitioner experiences include prior roles in association management, legislative policy analysis, internal audit, and TRIO programs.

Amelia Parnell writes and frequently speaks about topics related to student affairs, college affordability, student learning outcomes, leadership in higher education, and institutions’ use of data and analytics. She is the author of the new book; You Are a Data Person: Strategies for Using Analytics on Campus, and host of the new podcast, Speaking of College.

Amelia currently serves on the board of directors for EDUCAUSE and is an advisor to several other higher education organizations. She holds a Ph.D. in higher education from Florida State University and masters and bachelor’s degrees in business administration from Florida A & M University.

Amelia Parnell is also the host of the Speaking of College Podcast. Speaking of College is a show that answers common questions about college. The episodes are a good fit for anyone who is curious about how college works and how to navigate the college environment.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Andy Cofino and Em Huang from the Gender and Sexuality KC about LGBTQ+ Public Policy.

Andy Cofino (he/him) is a passionate consultant and educator with over a decade’s worth of experience in higher education. He is currently the Director for the UCLA LGBTQ Campus Resource Center after previously serving roles at Princeton University, New York University, and on the Executive Board of the National Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals. Along with Em Huang, Andy is the Co-Core Member for Trans Inclusion of the NASPA Gender and Sexuality Knowledge Community. Andy also runs his own independent consulting firm serving clients across industries as a strategist, advisor, and facilitator of equity, diversity, & inclusion efforts related to gender and sexuality. Andy holds a BA in English and Women’s and Gender Studies with a minor in Italian from Pace University; a MA in LGBTQ Studies, Social Justice, and Creative Writing from New York University; and is currently pursuing his MBA at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Em Huang is the Director of LGBTQ+ Advancement & Equity / Associate Director of the Gender Equity Resource Center, focusing on LGBTQ+ communities, issues, policies, and initiatives at the University of California, Berkeley. They received their M.Ed in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Vermont. Their focus in higher education and student affairs is on student support and advocacy, particularly in issues of gender, sexuality, and racial, ethnic, and cultural identity through a multicultural and intersectional lens. Their goal is to be a passionate advocate and support for queer, trans, and BIPOC students, and to engage and educate institutions of higher education about the issues experienced by these communities as a whole.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Jeremy Young on what is happening throughout the US currently as it comes to legislating CRT.

Jeremy C. Young is the senior manager of free expression and education at PEN America, where he advances PEN America’s advocacy for academic freedom in higher education and against educational censorship in colleges, universities, and K-12 schools. A former history professor and director of the Institute of Politics and Public Affairs at Utah Tech University, Young holds a Ph.D. in U.S. history from Indiana University and is the author of The Age of Charisma: Leaders, Followers, and Emotions in American Society, 1870-1940 (Cambridge University Press, 2017).

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield and Gina Plata-Nino about SNAP and TANF benefits for College Students. 

Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield is Managing Director of Policy and Advocacy at Higher Learning Advocates.  She is an advocate with over 20 years of leadership in developing and expanding state and federal policies to increase postsecondary access and success for students with low incomes and students of color. 

Prior to joining Higher Learning Advocates, Amy Ellen was a Senior Director for Advocacy and Policy at the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice. Amy Ellen also served as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy for over 15 years, where she analyzed and advocated for federal and state higher education policies to better serve adults with low incomes and others. She developed and advocated for a comprehensive student aid framework that combines financial aid, public benefits, and refundable tax credits to increase postsecondary access for low-income students. She also directed the Benefits Access for College Completion initiative to increase access to public benefits and financial aid for low-income students at community and technical colleges across the country. 

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Art Coleman about Race Based Admissions and where we are as a country when it comes to this ever-changing landscape. 

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Art Coleman about Race Based Admissions and where we are as a country when it comes to this ever-changing landscape. 

Art Coleman is a Managing Partner and co-founder of EducationCounsel LLC.  He provides policy, strategic, and legal counseling services to national non-profit organizations, postsecondary institutions, school districts and state agencies throughout the country, where he addresses issues associated with:

• student access, diversity, inclusion, expression, and success;
• faculty diversity, inclusion and expression; and
• institutional quality, accountability and accreditation.

Mr. Coleman previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, where, in the 1990s, he led the Department’s development of the Department’s Title VI policy on race-conscious financial aid, as well as OCR’s first comprehensive Title IX sexual harassment policy guidance.      

Mr. Coleman was instrumental in the establishment of the College Board's Access and Diversity Collaborative (ADC) in 2004, which he has helped lead since its inception. He was also a member of a thought leadership panel that helped inform the development of the January 2022 report, Toward a More Equitable Future for Postsecondary Access, published by NACAC and NASFAA.  With a focus on issues of diversity and higher education admissions, he has also authored amicus briefs in: Grutter v. Bollinger (2003) & Gratz v. Bollinger (2003); Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (I and II, 2013 and 2016); and in the 2022 SFFA v. Harvard/UNC cases.  His advocacy work also includes the development of a successful federal amicus strategy and numerous federal appellate briefs on behalf of transgender students throughout the United States.

Mr. Coleman is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, where he teaches a masters level course on enrollment management law and policy.  In 2022, he received the Rossier School’s Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award, with the recognition that as “one of the nation’s leading legal voices supporting access, diversity and inclusion,” he “does a masterful job at simplifying complex concepts and highlighting the complexities of seemingly simple concepts.”

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Victoria Ballerini and Christian Penichet-Paul about updates to DACA and on undocumented students.

Victoria Ballerini is a researcher and consultant with expertise on tuition-free and open access higher education, and issues that lie at the intersection of immigration and higher education policy. Dr. Ballerini has over 15 years of experience in higher education policy, practice, and research through various roles in government, postsecondary institutions, and policy research organizations. She holds a master’s degree in Social Policy with concentration in Education from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Higher and Postsecondary Education from New York University.

Christian Penichet-Paul is the Director of the Higher Ed Immigration Portal & State Policy at the Presidents’ Alliance for Higher Education and Immigration. Most recently, Christian was the Policy and Advocacy Manager at the National Immigration Forum. Christian’s expertise includes providing federal and state policy analysis and leading legislative efforts, and developing strategic messaging and products. Christian graduated from Texas State University and earned his master’s in American Government from Georgetown University.

Victoria shared a few links to examples of things she wrote on this topic:

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Justin Draeger, President & CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Today we talked to Justin about all of the upcoming Financial Aid and EFC changes that are coming in the next few years. 

Justin Draeger serves as the primary voice of NASFAA and as the liaison between the association members, the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and the media. Most of Justin's career has been devoted to assisting disadvantaged populations in achieving their educational goals and better their communities. Since 2002, Justin has been engaged in either administering, interpreting, communicating, or developing student financial aid policy. His prior experiences include working as a financial aid director, regulatory and policy analyst, and spokesperson. He has held senior positions overseeing government relations, communications, and policy work. Justin has testified in multiple Congressional hearings on student financial aid, college access, student loan policy, and the interplay between federal agencies and colleges and universities. He is frequently quoted in the press and has appeared on The Today Show on NBC, National Public Radio, APM's Marketplace, Fox Business News, CNBC, and C-SPAN, and is often quoted in national news outlets. Justin serves on several boards of directors that promote health and education. He earned his undergraduate from Brigham Young University and his MBA from Baker College. Justin lives in Fairfax, VA, with his wife and three children.

In the interview Justin regarding FAFSA simplification and federal methodology and you can find that resource here: https://www.nasfaa.org/fafsa_simplification

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Courtney Bullard, Founder of Institutional Compliance Solutions about the many Title IX changes that are coming about and their impact on your own college campus. 

Courtney Bullard has over ten years of experience representing institutions and organizations in matters involving sexual misconduct, including 8 years as a University system attorney. As in-house counsel, she served as a trusted advisor to the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Athletic Director, Director of Office and Equity and Diversity, Title IX Coordinator, Provost and other top level administrators on all legal matters affecting the institution. Her breadth of knowledge and familiarity with the unique aspects of a college campus provide a distinctive approach to partnering with institutions and school districts to assist with their legal needs. She excels in advising clients on all aspects of institutional compliance, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization amendments to the Jeanne Clery Act, and specializes in providing legal advice to institutions during sexual misconduct, stalking and relationship violence investigations. Courtney regularly provides Title IX and Clery training to organizations, attorneys, institutions and school districts, serves as an external investigator into allegations of sexual misconduct, and provides expert witness testimony on matters dealing with institutional response to allegations of sexual misconduct, bullying and hazing in litigation.

Courtney is the host of The Law & Higher Ed Podcast and is nationally recognized for her contributions to news media, including the Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and VICE news on HBO. Courtney is the creator of Title IX University, an on-line digital platform that provides Title IX training.

Courtney received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University in 1998. She graduated from the University of Memphis School of Law in 2001, where she served on the law review as a Comments Editor. Prior to serving as Associate General Counsel for the University of Tennessee, she worked for Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell and Husch & Eppenberger. Courtney also teaches Business Law as an Adjunct Professor for the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and Southern New Hampshire University. Courtney is a member of NACUA and Workplace Investigations Group and is recognized as Lawyer of Distinction in Higher Education. 

Courtney has two girls, Charlotte (9) and Campbell (13), and two bonus children, Austin (17) and Tyler (14). In her free time, you will find her with her husband, Todd, cheering on their children in all of their events and activities.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Scott Peska, Dr. Katie L. Treadwell, and Dr. Joseph Pickering about their recent article in NASPA's Leadership Exchange magazine about Concealed Carry on Campus.

Dr. Scott Peska serves as the Assistant Vice President of Student Services and Alumni Relations at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, IL  where he oversees a number of Student Development departments, serves as the Chair of the Campus Assessment Team, and is a Deputy Title IX Officer.  Dr. Peska previously worked at Northern Illinois University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Illinois State University.    In NASPA, Dr. Peska is actively part of the Campus Safety and Violence Prevention Knowledge Community, specifically with the Enough is Enough campaign against violence. He serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice and has previously served as the Region IV-E Public Policy Division Representative, Region IV-E Community College Division Representative, and a member of the 2017 Annual Conference Planning Committee. 

Dr. Katie L. Treadwell researches and writes extensively about the aftermath of university crises and the subsequent experiences of campus first responders. Katie developed her professional identity in higher education through roles in Oklahoma City, Waco, Texas, and New York City, three cities deeply altered by terrorism and the aftermath of disaster. Inspired by her own experience with campus and community tragedy, Katie primarily researches the personal experiences of higher education administrators who encounter high-profile campus disasters. Her research portfolio includes in-depth investigations of intentional violence, terrorism, natural disasters, and accidents that forever change a campus community. Katie’s work appears in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Encyclopedia of Strategic Leadership and Management, Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, About Campus, and other higher education publications. She frequently consults with campus leaders on issues of preventing violence and improving campus safety. In collaboration with higher education leaders across the country, Katie co-edited Crisis, Compassion, and Resiliency in Student Affairs. Katie currently serves as Assistant Vice Provost for Student Affairs at the University of Kansas, as well as chair of the NASPA Campus Safety and Violence Prevention Knowledge Community.

Dr. Joseph Pickering is a student affairs professional with 15 years of experience in the field. His ongoing research portfolio focuses on the impact of concealed carry legislation on Texas universities and colleges, particularly campus leaders’ and law enforcement perspectives. Dr. Pickering is a triple Gator, graduating with his B.A. in History, Masters in Student Personnel in Higher Education, and his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration, where his research focused on the impact of concealed carry legislation in the state of Texas. Dr. Pickering comes from a family of Law Enforcement officers, his grandfather helped start the police department at Rutgers University, his father served as a Military Police Officer and a police officer. Dr. Pickering is also an alumnus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the site of a tragic 2018 Valentine’s Day shooting. Dr. Pickering remains connected with students and fellow alumni from Stoneman Douglas and continues to support a variety of efforts to help schools and institutions learn from and better prepare for mass casualty/safety incidents.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Jessica Higgs about some of the ramifications of affirming healthcare for students following the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Jessica Higgs is a Family Medicine physician with a certificate of additional qualification in Sports Medicine. She completed medical school at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and Family Medicine Residency at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria. She completed her Sports Medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh. Since 2008 Higgs has been the director of Bradley University Health Services, a private university of about 5000 students, and team physician at Bradley since 2011. Dr. Higgs is currently serving as President of the American College Health Association after serving 4 years as a member at large to the board and two years as vice-president. She also currently serves as chair of the Sports Medicine Committee for the Missouri Valley Conference. 

This is season seven, public policy in action, where we will explore public policy issues impacting higher education today and how this will impact the work that you do on a daily basis. This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Kimberly Steed-Page about some of the unique issues that student parents are dealing with as well as looking at policy and best practice concerns when it comes to the needs of these students.

A higher education professional with over 20 years of experience, Kimberly Steed-Page believes that when student parents succeed, their children and families succeed. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging center her work at MSU. As director of the MSU Student Parent Resource Center, she is dedicated to helping college students, children and families reach their greatest potential. Her goals as director are to increase campus and community awareness of student families and their experiences at MSU, expand services and support for student families, improve outreach to area schools and teen parents regarding college opportunities; and to engage  student families in advocacy. Kim earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Texas El Paso and master’s in social work from Michigan State University. She is also a clinical faculty member in the MSU School of Social Work and teaches  a variety of social work courses. Kim balances work with raising two boys, Bryson age 8, and Jayden, 17 with her husband, Rodney.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Beth Devonshire, J.D., and Diana Ali and talked about some of the basics as it comes to Public Policy and how this intersects with the work that we do every day. 

Beth Devonshire, J.D. is an experienced student affairs professional with expertise in student conduct, Title IX, threat assessment teams, policy development, trainings for various constituencies, and the impact legislative and legal decisions have on higher education.  From 2006-2018, Ms. Devonshire worked as the Associate Dean of Students at UMass Boston, the Director of Community Standards at Bridgewater State University, and the Director of Community Standards at Stonehill College.  In these roles, Ms. Devonshire was charged with oversight of the student conduct systems, membership in CARE/BIT teams, serving as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and drafting policies and procedures related to students. Prior to her work in higher education, Beth served as a law clerk for the Justices of the Superior Court in Massachusetts and in multiple roles at the Massachusetts State House.

Ms. Devonshire has been an Associate with D. Stafford & Associates (DSA) since 2012 and she joined as a full-time consultant in August of 2018.  In this role, Beth works with institutions on issues involving Title IX, Clery Act, threat assessment, and other compliance related issues; and advises on policy and procedures, conducts trainings, participates in investigations, reviews enforcement practices of campus law enforcement, and serves in interim roles.  Ms. Devonshire also speaks on a variety of other topics including legislative and legal issues impacting higher education including FERPA, Clery, and Alcohol and other Drug Prevention.

Ms. Devonshire is a faculty member in New England College’s Doctorate of Education Program and the Higher Education Administration program at Bridgewater State University. Additionally, Ms. Devonshire serves on the Public Policy Division for NASPA, and is also the former Massachusetts Public Policy Liaison for MA NASPA.  Beth also served as the Director of the Legislative Committee for the Association for Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA) for two years.  Ms. Devonshire is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.  She is a graduate of Stonehill College with a degree in English and Secondary Education and holds a J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law.  She is also a trained mediator.

This is season seven, public policy in action, where we will explore public policy issues impacting higher education today and how this will impact the work that you do on a daily basis. This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Brent Marsh and Dr. Jeanna Mastrodicasa, the current and past chair of NASPA's Public Policy Division. We explore public policy and important topics that are currently impacting all of our work!

Brent arrived at the University of Mississippi in August 2019, being honored to join the UM community as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. Prior to his arrival at UM, Dr. Marsh served for five years as Vice President for Student Affairs at Rogers State University, overseeing numerous programs and services that promoted student engagement and success. Before his time at RSU, Marsh served for 10 years at Howard Payne University in central Texas in three successive student affairs leadership roles, culminating his time there as Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. Marsh earned bachelors and masters degrees at Kansas State University and a doctorate in higher education administration from Bowling Green State University. His earliest professional experiences were in student housing at two universities in Abilene, Texas, serving there between academic stints at K-State and BGSU.

Dr. Marsh is actively involved in NASPA where he recently served as Director of the Public Policy Division from 2019-2021, and currently serves as member-at-large. Prior to this role, Brent served as Coordinator of Region Finances for the IV-West region from 2017-2019, while simultaneously sitting on the Small Colleges & Universities Division advisory board as Public Policy Liaison, which also placed him on the Public Policy Division’s leadership team. From 2015 to 2017, Marsh served a two-year term as the Student-Athlete Knowledge Community chair.

Dr. Jeanna Mastrodicasa is the Associate Vice President for Operations at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), where she manages budget, facilities, business operations, conferences and institutes, and compliance for the land-grant mission of the university. UF/IFAS has more than 4,000 employees across Florida, $450 million in annual expenditures, and more than 4 million built gross square feet of facilities.

Dr. Mastrodicasa is currently the national chair for NASPA’s Public Policy Division, serving a term on the national NASPA board from March 2021-2023 supporting higher education administration. In summer 2022, she will be participating in the HERS Summer Institute, which is an intensive leadership program for women in higher education.

She is also on several local boards in the community, including the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Family Promise of Gainesville, the Gainesville Police Advisory Council, Friends of Susan B. Anthony, and the Alachua County ½ Cent Sales Tax Oversight Board.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Jill Dunlap and Adriana Alicial-Rodriguez. We continue our discussion on the 50th anniversary of TITLE IX and delve deeper into this with two amazing colleagues that have experienced much with the issue.

Jill Dunlap is senior director for research, policy, and civic engagement at NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Prior to joining NASPA, she worked closely with college student survivors of sexual violence for more than 14 years at three different campuses. Her current body of research is focused on a range of social justice topics, including free speech, police reform, racial justice, and guns on campus. She holds a PhD in political science and public administration from Northern Illinois University, and regularly teaches political science, public administration, and public policy at various institutions in the Chicago area. 

Adriana Alicea-Rodriguez serves as the Associate Vice President for University Compliance Services and Title IX Coordinator at The University of Texas at Austin. Before joining University Compliance Services, Adriana worked in the Office of the Dean of Students as the Associate Director for Student Judicial Services from 2013 to 2015, and as the Director of Title IX Training and Investigations from 2015 to 2019 at UT Austin. Previously, Adriana worked at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Texas A&M University, and The University of Vermont.

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This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Tammy Crawford. As an undergraduate she was a member of the women's rowing club and became a volunteer coach for one year and this experience changed her entire career path. She became the volunteer coach in 1985 and within a year was hired on as the full time coach. In 1990 she became the first varsity coach of the women's rowing team and transitioned the team from a club status toa Division 1 varsity status. In 2002, she retired from coaching to pursue her PhD in higher education and has been a professor at Washington State University in the Sports Management program since 2007.

Please subscribe to SA Voices from the Field on your favorite podcasting device and share the podcast with other student affairs colleagues!

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Mordecai Brownlee about his journey to become the President of the Community College of Aurora.

Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee became the sixth president of the Community College of Aurora (Colorado) on August 2, 2021. With campuses in Aurora and Denver, CCA is a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and Hispanic-Serving institution (HSI) providing instruction to over 10,600 students throughout its 350-square mile service area. Prior to his presidential appointment, President Brownlee served as the vice president for student success at St. Philip's College, the only college in the nation federally designated as both a historically Black college (HBCU) and a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), located in San Antonio, Texas. During his tenure as vice president, Dr. Brownlee led St. Philip’s to record enrollment of over 13,500 students and the college’s four largest degree and certificate awarding classes in its 124-year history.

One of the youngest presidents in the country at 37 years old, Dr. Brownlee continues his work as a higher education columnist for EdSurge and a writer for several other publications. In 2020, Dr. Brownlee was featured by EdTech Magazine as one of the 30 most interesting voices in higher education who are shaping the conversation around IT and EdTech. In 2022, Mordecai was featured by Diverse Issues in Higher Education Magazine as a “New School” leader representing the next generation of college presidents. 

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Parag Mehta, Managing Director and President of the JPMorgan Chase PolicyCenter. He works with a team of experts who leverage the bank’s assets, insights, and expertise to develop and advance policy solutions that drive inclusive economic growth in the United States and around the world.

Prior to joining JPMC, he served as Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the philanthropic hub of the company.

Parag previously served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the 19th Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek Murthy. Parag also spent more than four years directing communications for a civil rights agency in the U.S. Department of Labor and served on Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential transition team as a liaison to the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and to LGBTQ+ Americans.

Parag earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a B.A. in Plan II Honors from The University of Texas at Austin. He and his husband Vaibhav Jain are currently petitioning the Delhi High Court in India for recognition of their marriage in a landmark case which could pave the way for marriage equality in the world’s largest democracy.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Danita Brown-Young. Dr. Danita M. Brown Young is currently the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Before moving to Champaign, she served as
Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Prior to that position, she worked in student affairs at Purdue University, including serving as the youngest and first African American (and first African American woman) Dean of Students at Purdue. Dr. Brown Young holds a B.A. in sociology from Kent State University, an M.A. in community counseling from Loyola University Chicago, and earned her Ph.D. in higher education administration from Ohio University. Dr. Brown Young is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Links, Incorporated, NASPA; and ACPA. She was awarded the NASPA Pillar of the Profession award in 2021. She is currently serving as NASPA Board Chair.

With over 20 years of experience in student affairs in higher education, Dr. Brown
Young is an accomplished ambassador for students, and understands the critical role
student affairs must play in successfully meeting the land-grant promises of educational access and opportunity to help create a more socially just society.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we bring you the third episode of our conference recap. In this episode we bring you the voices of about 50 professionals who attended the NASPA Annual Conference as they answer the question: 1) What is one thing that the student affairs profession must do to evolve?

Special thanks to all of the professionals who shared their voices with us. If you have an interest in sharing your voice or ideas with us about a future podcast, email us at [email protected]

This week on SA Voices From the Field we bring you the second episode of our conference recap. In this episode we bring you the voices of about 50 professionals who attended the NASPA Annual Conference as they answer the questions: 1) Why did you attend this year's conference? 2) What makes NASPA the right professional home for you?  Special thanks to all of the professionals who shared their voices with us. If you have an interest in sharing your voice or ideas with us about a future podcast, email us at [email protected]

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Mary Gonzalez, a current state legislator in Texas and we have an amazing conversation with her about her own journey from student affairs to the state legislature.

This was a up close, live, in person interview so the audio is different than usual as we were in a large hall, but the information shared was very revealing and important in the current climate that Dr. Gonzalez finds herself in within Texas.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Romando Nash, JD, Associate Vice President  for Student Life Services at the University of Nevada Reno. We talk to Romando today about his journey through student affairs but also about how his start as a JD informed his practice.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Talea Drummer-Ferrell. She is the Assoiate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Kent State University. She has been involved in many aspects student affairs. Throughout her career her focus has been on advocacy, leadership, academics, diversity and the empowerment of the indivudual student. We have a wonderful conversation with her today about her career and more.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Catlin Roberts. She is at the University of Oregon as the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Today we talked to her about Fraternity and Sorority life and her professional journey into this field. We also talk to Catlin about being a domestic violence survivor and how she uses her voice and experience to give voice to others.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Adam Cebulski. He is the Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Success and the Chief of Staff for the Division of Student Affairs at Southern Methogist University. Dr. Cebulski shares his experience as a professional who left the profession and who chose to return after working in the corporate world. 

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Pamela Young, the Director of Community Engagement and Economic Development in the College of Arts and Science at the University of Alabama. Dr. Young shares the experiences that have brought her to being the person she is today!

This week on SA Voices From the Field we interviewed Dr. Kevin Stensberg, a first generation college student that has combined his experiences working in student affairs both within the United States and in China, Greece, Saudi Arabia and more. Dr. Stensberg shares the wealth of his experience with you today and explores much of what has helped him to achieve his personal and professional goals.

Welcome back to SA Voices from the Field for Season 6. This is season six, On Becoming, we explore people within our field and the journey that they have been on to become who they are today as they impact the Student Affairs profession. 

Join Jill Creighton and Chris Lewis as they discuss some things they are looking forward to in the upcoming season!

This week on SA Voices From the Field host Jill Creighton attended the Western Regional Conference and spoke to attendees about the new reality that they have been facing on their own campuses. Learn from them in this interactive episode. 

Please subscribe to SA Voices from the Field on your favorite podcasting device and share the podcast with other student affairs colleagues!

This week we are taking a break to celebrate Thanksgiving and Indigenous Peoples Day. We will be back again next week with another great episode as we talk to members attending the Western Regional Conference.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we are speaking with Mamta Accapadi, chair of the 2022 NASPA Annual Conference. You will get a good feel for what is coming to this great professional development conference, but also things to expect and look forward to in March 2022.

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Warrenetta Crawford Mann, Aesha L. Uqdah, and Barry A. Schreier from the American Council on Education (ACE) about a new article posted on the ACE blog called A Trauma-Informed Lens for Addressing Race-Based Incidents on Campus.

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Jonathan Fansmith from the American Council on Education (ACE). Jon was on the podcast in a previous season (Season 4 Ep. 4) and today Jon talks to us about public service loan forgiveness (PSLF). 

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Dr. Sarah Jones of the University of West Georgia about working with foster care and foster students. Originally we learned about Dr. Jones in a blog she wrote on the NASPA website entitled: Whether they identify or not we should support college students from foster care. In this episode, we talk about supporting foster students on campuses in our new reality and what your campus can do to advocate for these students.

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are celebrating the 100th episode of the podcast. We are talking with our own podcast producer Dr. Christopher Lewis who has been a part of the podcast since before the podcast started. We also are joined by Dr. Kevin Kruger, President and CEO of NASPA as we talk about the podcast's history and future. 

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Dr. Kevin Daugherty and Tamara Herdener, J.D. as we talk about Crisis Management in a 24-7 space. We are talking about a brand new practice that is being innovated right now to support student in crisis after hours.

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Dr. Jaimie Hoffman and Dr. Tom Studdert of the Pivoting out of EDU podcast. In this episode we have frank conversations about working in higher education and factors that may impact people staying in the profession or pivoting out of the profession. 

Today on SA Voices from the Field we join a large group of amazing podcasters in the student-affairs/higher education field as we all share what our podcasts are about and more. This episode was hosted by Dr. Keith Edwards of the Student Affairs NOW podcast. Listen and learn more about the many different podcasts that are out there, you may just find a new podcast to listen too!

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Karnell McConnell Black and Jaime Mendez of the Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education (NODA). Karnell McConnell Black is the current President of NODA and Jaime Mendez is the President-elect of NODA. We talk with them about NODA and about rethinking orientation, transition & retention in the new reality on campus.

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Dr. Jeanine Ward-Roof, Vice President for Student Affairs at Ferris State University.  Dr. Ward-Roof is also one of the Enrollment Management Knowledge Community Chairs. With a new year starting, today we are talking to Dr. Ward-Roof about the new reality for Enrollment Management across our college campuses. 

Welcome back to SA Voices from the Field for Season 5. This is season five, our new reality and we are continuing our dialogue on COVID-19 impact on the Student Affairs profession. Join Jill Creighton and Chris Lewis as they discuss some things they are looking forward to in the upcoming season! Please subscribe to SA Voices from the Field on your favorite podcasting device and share the podcast with other student affairs colleagues!

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with four amazing student affairs professionals that were at Kent State University during the tragedy that occurred 51 years ago on May 4, 1970. 

Our guests today (including their roles during the tragedy) include: 

• Dr. Robert (Bob) E. Matson who served as the Vice President of Student Affairs
• Dr. Dave Ambler who served as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Residence Life
• Dr. Ron Beer who served as the Executive Assistant to the President
• Dr. Dick Bredemeier who served as Director of Student Activities 

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Dr. Erica Eckert, Assistant Dean for Assessment and Accreditation at Kent State University as we reflect on the tragedy at Kent State University that occurred 51 years ago on May 4, 1970. 

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with editors from NASPA's Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice. Joining us today was Bridget Kelly, Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, Carry Kortegast, Associate Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs at Northern Illinois University, and Thandi Sule, Associate Professor at Oakland University.   

We have an open and frank conversation about what is happening with the journal, as well as what they are looking for in authors.

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with the NASPA Veterans KC chairs, Crissann Hanes and Christine Black. Crissann Hanes is a US Marine Corp veteran and serves as a graduate advisor for the evening and online MBA students at Colorado State University. Christine Black, a veteran of the US Army who now serves as the Assistant Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity at the University of Scranton.

Today we explore the future of veterans affairs in higher education with these amazing guests. 

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Dr. Ann Gansemer-Topf, Associate Professor in the School of Education at Iowa State University as we speak to her about the future of graduate prep programs in student affairs and the role of faculty in the profession.  

Learn more about Dr. Ann Gansemer-Topf

Gansemer-Topf, associate professor in the School of Education, will serve as faculty fellow for scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL). She will work to enhance CELT’s efforts around SoTL and assessment, including leadership of the SoTL Scholars program, and develop resources for departments to use for program evaluation.

Gansemer-Topf, who joined the faculty in 2012 after serving as Iowa State’s associate director of research for admissions, earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Loras College, Dubuque; and a master’s in higher education and Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from Iowa State. Her research interests include assessment of student learning, effective pedagogy and student success.

Learn more from Ann Gansemer-Topf’s School of Education web profile.

You can reach Dr. Gansemer-Topf at her email - [email protected]

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are bringing you a crossover episode between our podcast and CBO Speaks, a podcast of the National Association of College and University Business Officers. Today, we are speaking with Nicole Trufant, Vice President of Finance and Administration for the University of New England, and Gerald Hector, Vice President of Finance and Administration for Ithaca College. 

About NACUBO

The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) is a membership organization representing more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the country.

About CBO Speaks

What does it take to be a CBO at today's colleges and universities? What news and updates do they need to know to stay current? Hear thought leaders and experts explore issues and topics about the CBO role and what's in store for the future in this award-winning, interview-style podcast series.

On this episode of SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Dr. Erica Eckert, Assistant Dean for Assessment and Accreditation at Kent State University, and Dr. Josie Ahlquist, a digital engagement and leadership researcher, speaker, and author as we talk about the future of technology in higher education.  

Both guests share their knowledge about the current and future states of technology on our campuses and offer some best practices and ideas about what you can do to better situate your own campus to be technology-forward thinking when it comes to engaging with students and staff on campus.

Learn more about Dr. Erica Eckert

• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-eckert-172a625/

Learn more about Dr. Josie Ahlquist:

• Website
• Book: Digital Leadership in Higher Education: Purposeful Social Media in a Connected World
• Twitter - https://twitter.com/josieahlquist

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with the 2021-22 NASPA Board Chair Dr. Julie Payne-Kirchmeier. Dr. Payne-Kirchmeier is not only the NASPA Board Chair but is also the Vice-President for Student Affairs at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Today we spoke with Dr. Payne-Kirchmeier about NASPA, but also about the future of the association post-pandemic.

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Dr. Amelia Parnell, Vice President for Research and Policy with NASPA as we look at the future of policy and research in student affairs and higher education. 

Amelia Parnell is vice president for research and policy at NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, where she leads many of the Association’s scholarly and advocacy-focused activities. Amelia writes and speaks frequently about topics related to student affairs, college affordability, student learning outcomes, and institutions’ use of data and analytics. Amelia’s policy and practitioner experiences include prior roles in association management, legislative policy analysis, internal audit, and TRIO programs. Her research portfolio includes studies of leadership in higher education, with a focus on college presidents and vice presidents. She is the author of the forthcoming book, You Are a Data Person: Strategies for Using Analytics on Campus and a co-editor of the book, The Analytics Revolution in Higher Education: Big Data, Organizational Learning, and Student Success.

Amelia currently serves on the board of directors for EDUCAUSE and is an advisor to several other higher education organizations. She holds a Ph.D. in higher education from Florida State University and masters and bachelor’s degrees in business administration from Florida A & M University.

Dr. Parnell recommended the following books as her essential student affairs reads:

• Square Pegs and Round Holes: Alternative Approaches to Diverse College Student Development Theory

• The Analytics Revolution in Higher Education: Big Data, Organizational Learning, and Student Success

You can also review some of the reports that Dr. Amelia Parnell has worked on in her role at NASPA on the NASPA website.

If you want to reach out to Dr. Parnell she can be reached at: [email protected]

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Jonathan Fansmith and Susan Spreitzler, Directors of Government Relations for ACE, the American Council on Education who are also hosts of the ACE podcast DOTEDU.  

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Each episode of dotEDU presents a deep dive into a major public policy issue impacting college campuses and students across the country. Hosts from ACE, joined by guest experts, lead you through thought-provoking conversations on topics such as campus free speech, diversity in admissions, college costs and affordability, and more.

If you want to reach out to the podcast you can tweet your suggestions, links, and question​s to @ACEducation​, or email [email protected].

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking with Shannon Niedzwicki about working in career services, her doctoral work and personal obligations.

Shannon Niedzwicki is Assistant Director of Internships and Employment Development at the University of Toledo. She shares her experiences of balances her personal and professional identities as well as having to do this while fighting cancer. It is a powerful episode that you will not want to miss.

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are learning more about the NASPA Annual Conference from conference chair Michelle Murray and the NASPA Strategies Conference with Anondo Banerfee and Rose Rezai of the conference committee. 

Professional Development is very important and this conference will open your eyes to the important work that is being done in preparation for the upcoming conferences that you will not want to miss.

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are speaking with Joseph Washington. Joseph is a Resident Hall Assistant Director at New York University where he oversees the community development, crisis response and policy enforcement of an 1100 bed upper classman residence hall. 

We talk to Joseph about his experience leading a residence hall through a pandemic and the challenges that went along with that. 

If you have questions for Joseph you can find out more about him on LinkedIn or email him at:  [email protected]

Please subscribe to SA Voices from the Field on your favorite podcasting device and share the podcast with other student affairs colleagues!

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are speaking with Dr. Angela Batista, Chair of the NASPA Board of Directors and Vice President of Student Affairs and Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at Champlain College . 

Batista actively serves as a national and international consultant and her service in professional organizations includes leadership roles in various organizations including serving as an executive officer on the Executive Committee of the Latino Caucus for the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE) and various leadership roles in the Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Association, also known as NASPA. Batista served as the national Vice Chair and Chair for the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community, a member of NASPA’s Equity and Inclusion Commission, the 2016 National Conference Leadership and Planning Team, and faculty for the NASPA Dungy Leadership Institute (DLI) and Escaleras Latinx/a/o professional institute, which she co-directed in 2018. She also supported the development of the NASPA Latin American and the Caribbean (NASPA LAC) Division, encompassing 41 countries. Batista has received several honors and has been recognized nationally for her work in Student Affairs, Diversity, Equity and Social Justice. Batista was the recipient of the 2017 NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community (LKC) Service Award and the 2013 NASPA LKC Administrator of the Year Award. The University of Vermont established the Angela Batista Social Justice Award, awarded to an undergraduate student every year, in 1999.

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are sharing ways in which campuses are preparing to support students prior to and throughout the election period while allowing them to also find their voice. We are joined by the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Knowledge Community, Amy Koeckes, Associate Director of Student Engagement at the University of Nevada, Reno and Spencer Long, Director of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement at the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

We explore the upcoming election as well as how COVID-19 has impacted the processes and activities that they and students have done or typically would be doing in the period leading up to the election and how campuses continue to support students in these different times.

Today on SA Voices we have a different type of episode for you. This episode features a recording of a webinar dialog from our NASPA membership on September 28, 2020. We thought this conversation was critical and decided it was worth sharing with you as part of our podcast series.

The scope of the webinar centered on colleges' and universities' responsibility to prepare students to be active, engaged, and informed participants in our democracy. NASPA has partnered with the non-partisan All In Campus Challenges Higher Education Presidents council to provide a space for growth and sharing.

This season on SA Voices from the Field we will be exploring leadership at all levels of our association and this week we are joined by Dr. Shawnte Elbert Associate Dean of Health and Wellness, Central Washington University and Ashley Hinton-Moncer, Director of Student Wellness at the University of Kentucky, co-chairs of the Wellness and Health Promotion Knowledge Community. 

These guests both have worked hard to keep their campuses safe. We have a poignant conversation about what campuses have had to do to keep people safe during the time of COVID-19. Come and learn from these amazing professionals. 

Today on SA Voices From the Field we have Dr. Matthew Jeffries and Dr. Salvador Mena as they talk about how COVID-19 has impacted LGBTQQIA+ and LatinX populations as well as what we can do to better serve these populations.

This week on SA Voices From the Field we talk with Pam Bowers, author of the new NASPA book, Beyond the College Transcript: Innovative Strategies for Assessing and Documenting Student Learning. 

This week on SA: Voices From the Field we speak with Dr. Reyna Anaya and Dr. Heidi Hoskinson about the impact of COVID-19 on Small Colleges and Community College. 

Today on SA: Voices From the Field we are speaking with Dr. Stephanie Budhai, author of the new NASPA publication Online & Engaged: Innovative Student Affairs Practices for Online Learner Success.

Online & Engaged shares best practices, case studies, examples, and strategies for providing authentic student development support for online learners through their college experience. With chapters by student affairs and higher education professionals across a variety of functional areas, this edited collection covers a full range of concepts, student development theory, and programs and services, including: mental health and well-being, career counseling, student engagement, multicultural affairs, academic advising, new student orientation, global learning, student affairs assessment, and Title IX programming.

Dr. Stephanie Budhai shared that her Student Affairs Handbook was her essential Student Affairs Read

If you would like to reach out to Dr. Stephanie Budhai you can [email protected] or you can find her on Twitter as @DrBudhai 

Today on SA: Voices From the Field we are continuing our COVID-19 Crisis Conversations Dialogue. Today’s episode is all about housing and residence life and how those operations in the student affairs profession have been impacted, in particular our students and staff. Today we were joined by Dr. Pamela Schreiber, Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Executive Director of Housing and Food Services at the University of Washington and Kawanna Leggett, Executive Director of Residence Life at Washington University in St. Louis. Both shared their expertise in Housing and Residential Life as well as practical tips that they had to follow at their institutions to support their students and staff.

Dr. Schreiber shared her favorite non-Student Affairs Book as being The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. Her favorite Student Affairs Read is The Chronicle of Higher Education. If you want to reach out to Dr. Schreiber you can reach out on Twitter at @pschreib or at [email protected]. 

Kawanna Leggett's critical Student Affairs read is "Critical Race Theory". If you want to reach out to Kawanna Leggett you can find her on twitter @k_leg80.

Join the NASPA Gender & Sexuality Knowledge Community on Friday, June 5 at 2 PM EST for an important community conversation with Dr. Kaity Prieto on the current state of research on bisexual/pansexual/queer identities among today's college students. Dr. Prieto's presentation will include empirical and qualitative research and implications for current practices and policies for the field, particularly post-COVID. Register for free now: bit.ly/GSKCjun5.

The WISA KC will be offering affinity spaces for healing, dialogue, and community. We encourage WISA members to join the spaces they feel called to participate in and that reflect their identities. Members are welcome and encouraged to join more than one space.

This week on the podcast, we are bringing you up to date information about the changes coming to Title IX, featuring a May 14, NASPA provided a free rapid response webinar with experts in the field on Title IX. This discussion shared a panel of experts, representing a diverse range of perspectives from those whose roles will be most directly impacted by the final rule. 

NASPA will offer a new virtual, thirty-four hour personalized Title IX certificate, beginning in late June, in partnership with Peter Lake. The Title IX certificate program is a first-of-its-kind training which includes separate tracks for Title IX Coordinators, Title IX Investigators, and Student Conduct staff. The training will cover the new regulations from the Department of Education, intersections between Title IX, Clery, and VAWA, as well as the relationship between student conduct administrators and Title IX coordinators. Registration details will be available soon.

Today’s episode of SA: Voices From the Field continues our COVID-19 and Crisis Conversation series. Today we talk with two faculty guests that will speak about the disproportionate impact that the pandemic has had on communities of color. We talk with Dr. Charles H. F. Davis III who is an assistant professor of clinical education at the University of Southern California. He is also the former chief strategy officer and director of research at the USC Race and Equity Center. We also talk with Dr. Russell Jeung, chair and professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University. Dr. Jeung is a scholar of race and religion and his most recent book is: Family Sacrifices: The World Views and Ethics of Chinese Americans.

Dr. Davis' essential Higher Education read is The Alchemy of Race. If you want to reach out to Dr. Davis you can find him on Twitter @hfdavis or Instagram @hfdavis.

Dr. Jeung's essential Higher Education read is Pedagogy of the Oppressed. He also shared that if you are an Asian American you can share your own experience you can go to stopaapihate.com. There are over 12 languages that you can report discrimination. Dr. Jeung he can be reached at [email protected].

Today on SA Voices From the Field we will be having our first conversation about COVID-19 and the Student Affairs context. We’ll be talking about basic needs like food security, home security, healthcare, student emergency funding and internet. We have two great guests, Dr. Omar Estrada Torres, Dean of Students at Clark Atlanta University, an HBCU in Atlanta, Georgia and Dr. Sean Crossland,  Director of the Thayne Center for Service & Learning at Salt Lake Community College. 

Today on SA Voices from the Field we are talking to Dr. Robert Kelly and Colin Stewart, the editors of the book Disruptive Transformation: Leading Creative and Innovative Teams in Higher Education which is now available from the NASPA bookstore and on Amazon. The authors of this new book share how disruptive transformation can be seen on campuses today and how, in this changing world we are in, we can see and become stronger leaders from this as well.

If you want to reach out to these editors, Dr. Kelly shared that he can be reached at [email protected] , and Colin Stewart mentioned you can reach him at [email protected] or through Instagram or Twitter

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Jill Creighton, the new host of SA Voices from the Field. Dr. Creighton is Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Washington State University. Today you will get to know Dr. Creighton as well as learn more about the impact of the COVID-19 Coronavirus on her campus and what they are doing to support all of their students. 

Hello, this is Chris Lewis, producer of Student Affairs voices from the field. This is a quick episode today with a little announcement that with the NASPA conference happening March 29 to April 1, the student affairs voices from the field podcast is going to be taking a short break to prepare for the conference. We look forward to seeing and meeting you at the conference. And we'll be back to our regularly scheduled episodes in April. Thanks so much for being a loyal Student Affairs voices from the field podcast listener. We truly truly appreciate it and look forward to having you back again soon.

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr Lori White, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Washington University, St. Louis and Past NASPA Board President as she talks with host Corliss Bennett about My Soul Looks and Wonders How I Got Over from the NASPA book: Transformational Encounters: Shaping Diverse College and University Leaders

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr Michael Jackson, Emeritus Vice President for Student Affairs University of Southern California as he talks with host Corliss Bennett about Resilience: The Key to Thriving. 

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Lori Davis of The Ohio State University as she talks with host Corliss Bennett about the Role of a Department Chair: My Path from Student Affairs to Academic Affairs. 

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr Felicia McGinty, Executive Vice Chancellor of Rutger University in New Jersey as she talks with host Corliss Bennett about Student Movements Shape Higher Education. 

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Lori Davis of The Ohio State University as she talks with host Corliss Bennett about the Role of a Department Chair: My Path from Student Affairs to Academic Affairs . 

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Raquel Torres-Retana of the Pasadena City College, Dean, Rosemead Satellite Campus as she talks with host Corliss Bennett about Parenting as a Woman of Color Throughout an entire Career. 

This week on SA Voices from the Field, meet Dr. Shauna Sobers of the University of Texas, Austin as she talks with host Corliss Bennett about Growing Pathways to Senior Leadership for Women of Color.

This week on SA Voices from the Field, meet LaTecia Yarbrough, Coordinator for Residential Education for both Rachel Carson and Oakes Colleges for the University of California, Santa Cruz and Ricky Urgo, University of Michigan Hall Director as they talk with host Corliss Bennett about Professionalism or Socialized White Supremacy. 

This week on SA Voices from the Field, meet Dr. Christopher Lewis as he talks with host Corliss Bennett about the importance of involvement in professional associations like NASPA. They talk about different ways to get involved and the importance of this in one's professional journey.

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Kyle Ashlee, as we talk about The Student Affairs State of Affairs. The concepts shared today come from a researched blog article. He began researching for the post in August by putting a call out to the student affairs facebook page and his network of colleagues asking folks to share the top three issues on their mind as they entered the 2019 academic year. The responses he got were overwhelming and the trends were undeniable. After compiling the responses and analyzing them, he came up with the top 10 issues on the minds of student affairs professionals. From there, he went on to make connections between those issues and the larger influence of neoliberalism on higher education. Finally, he shared some insights about what professionals can do to promote their own wellness, the well-being of their students, and their institutions. All of these issues are shared in today's great episode.

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Alan Acosta, Associate Dean of Students at Florida State University as he talks with host Corliss Bennett about The Ecology of Magic: Designing Campus Environments. In this conversation they talk about hos colleges and universities today must look at how they can create intentional environments to bring out the magic on each college campus and make the college experience one that our students will never forget!

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Brent Marsh, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at The University of Mississippi. Today he and host Corliss Bennett dive deep into looking at The Rapid Rise of ESports on college campuses today. So whether your campus already is doing something with ESports or not, this is an episode you will not want to miss as no matter what, this impacts many of the students on your campus!

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Teri Lyn Hinds, Director of Policy Research & Advocacy as we talk about NASPA & Public Policy and some of the hottest topics in public policy that are impacting higher education today.  

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Beth Morgan, R.J. Jenkins and David Keefe from Columbia University. They share information on the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration and student veteran transition to higher education. On top of this they also share how campuses are serving the needs of student veterans and some of the obstacles student veterans face in higher education.

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Megan Rolfs, Director of Marketing and Communication at Illinois State University as we talk about Influencer Marketing in Student Affairs. 

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Larry Roper, professor in the School of Language, Culture and Society at Oregon State University, where he also serves as coordinator of the college student services administration master’s program and coordinator of the social justice minor as we talk about The Inner Landscape of Senior Leaders - Preparing to Lead Campus Healing. 

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. David Zamojski, Assistant Dean of Students, Boston University as we talk about Managing Change as a SA Professional and the example of merging Wheelock College with Boston University. 

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Kathy Collins, Vice President for Student Affairs, University of Rhode Island as we talk about Creating a culture of risk mitigation and it's implications to Student Affairs Professionals.

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Dave Eng of JobHakr as we talk about the Student Affairs Job Search and Working With Online Students. 

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Grant Azdell, Vice President for Student affairs and Dean of Students at Randolph-Macon College as we talk about Protecting Your International Students. 

This week on SA Voices from the field you will meet Dr. Felicia Patterson, Vice President for Learner Support Services at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. as we talk about Embracing Change in Student Affairs.