Student Affairs NOW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUicR1InL2s Episode Description Heather Shea shares how working in a women's center and bringing feminist icon Gloria Steinem to campus shaped her personal, political, and professional journey. She reflects on the enduring need for activism and advocacy in women and gender equity centers. Suggested APA Citation Gardner, H. (Host). (2025, May 14) Here's the Story: "Meeting Gloria, Finding Myself" (No. 270) [Audio podcast episode]. In Student Affairs NOW. https://studentaffairsnow.com/meeting-gloria-finding-myself/ Episode Transcript Helena GardnerWelcome to Here's the Story, a show that brings Student Affairs to life by sharing the authentic voices and lived experiences of those who are shaping the field every day as part of the Student Affairs now family, we're dedicated to serving and furthering the people who walk the walk, talk to talk and carry the walk that all of us find ourselves doing who work in Student Affairs in Higher Education. You can find us at studentaffairsnow.com, or directly at studentaffairsnow.com/heresthestory, or YouTube or anywhere you enjoy podcast, I like to start off by thanking today's sponsor Huron. Huron's education and research experts help institutions transform their strategy, operations, technology and culture to foster innovation, financial health and student success. I get to be your host today, Helena Gardner, and my pronouns are she? Her, her, and I serve as the Director of Residence, education and housing services at Michigan, Michigan State University. I live my life as a mom, a sister, a daughter, a friend and a mentor. I'm with you today from the ancestral, traditional contemporary lands of the Anishinabe three fires, confederacy of Ojibwa, Ottawa and Potawatomi peoples. The university resides on land seated in the 1819, treaty of Saginaw, home to Michigan State University. And I'm going to toss it to my co-host. Neil E. GolemoHowdy. My name is Neil Golemo. I use he, him pronouns, and I am blessed to serve as the Director of Campus Living Learning and Texas A name's Sonny Galveston campus, and I'm just over here living hard and making it look easy, Helena Gardnermaking it look easy now, because today, today, we have a special guest for you. Today. Want to introduce to you, Heather. Shea, you may be familiar with Heather. Shea, we see her often on Student Affairs NOW, kind of a big deal. Yeah, yeah, it's kind of a big deal. Like, kind of a big deal, like, we got a special guest today. I'm really excited. I have the pleasure of seeing Heather probably a little bit more often in real life on campus, as we get to be great colleagues doing this thing at Michigan State. Don't know, welcome Heather. Share whatever you want to share about you. And we're real curious what you gotta say today, so you let us know, and then we will get started. Alright. Heather SheaWell, it's so great to be here. Thank you for the invitation and for all of the work that the three of you are doing to create this, this amazing podcast, I think it's just such a powerful way of bringing the field to life, right? Because we are nothing if we are not the stories that have have shaped us. So I Yes, work at Michigan State, alongside Helena. I have been here since 2013 but before that, I lived in the West. As I like to say, I'm from the west. My originally born and raised in Colorado, moved to Arizona, then moved to Idaho, which is where I was right before coming to Michigan State, which Idaho will play prominently in my story that I'm going to share with you all today. Helena GardnerAlright. Well, Heather, we so you do this, and we typically see you get into our scholarly and practitioner land. Mm, hmm. And so, you know, tell us a story from the heavenly Alright, with that slide, all right. Heather SheaWell, this is the story about how I met feminist icon Gloria Steinem. And I'm going to share this story because it was one of the probably most um.

Dr. Carter-Atkins shares a powerful message of self-care and leadership through the magic of burpees!

Drs. Shannon Leddy and Lorrie Miller, co-authors of Teaching Where You Are: Weaving Indigenous and Slow Principles and Pedagogies, discuss indigenous approaches to teaching and learning. They integrate perspectives, histories, and values from many different Indigenous cultures across North America to offer insights to guide different ways of approaching teaching, learning, education, and being.

In this episode (recorded on May 1), Dr. OiYan Poon and Dr. Crystal Garcia join Dr. Heather Shea to reflect on the first 100 days of the current administration and what they reveal about its priorities and governing approach.

Assessment experts and student affairs leaders discuss the multi-level assessment process and how to utilize it as a leadership practice. This conversation helps explain this approach, what it offers, examples of how it is being done, and tips. They discuss assessment beyond measurement, leading learning and operations, as strategic planning, and through relationships.

In this episode, host Heather Shea is joined by Dr. Brendan Cantwell and Dr. Demetri Morgan to break down a wave of federal actions reshaping higher education. From the NIH's ultimatum on DEI to a new executive order on accreditation—and threats to university tax-exempt status—they explore what these moves mean for institutional governance, research integrity, and academic freedom.

Dr. Paul Dosal reflects on his 15 years as an innovator, champion, and leader of student success and well-being. He shares lessons from creating institutional transformations for student persistence and retention through deliberative and intentional approaches, breaking down silos, predictive analytics, and creating cultures of care. He highlights blending technological tools and personal connections and relationships for holistic and systematic approaches to student success and well-being.

In this episode, Dr. OiYan Poon and Dr. Demetri Morgan join Heather Shea to unpack three pressing developments shaping the current landscape of higher education.

In this episode of Student Affairs NOW, host Heather Shea is joined by Dr. Jason Cottrell, a longtime career employee at the U.S. Department of Education who was among the 1,300 staff members recently laid off. Jason shares insights into the role of the Department, how federal agencies navigate transitions between administrations, and what these layoffs mean for education policy. He also reflects on his own journey from higher education into federal service—and what's next as he returns to the field of student affairs.

Dr. Demetri Morgan and Dr. Felecia Commodore join host Heather Shea to explore the escalating pressures facing higher education, including the lack of board engagement in defending institutional autonomy, rising federal influence, and the unjust revocation of student visas.

A renewed sense of purpose is gain after the smallest gesture from a student brings beauty to chaos.

In this origin story, Dr. Brooks shares his inspirational journey to the professoriate. Filled with triumphs as well as tragedies, his story reminds us of the importance of making your own path - one step at a time.

In the fifth episode of Current Campus Context, Heather Shea is joined by experts Dr. Felecia Commodore and Dr. Crystal Garcia to discuss the latest challenges facing higher education. They examine the growing threats to international students, including detention, deportation, and forced self-deportation, and the role of universities in protecting them. The conversation also explores faculty fears around academic freedom, the risks of speaking out in today's climate, and the real dangers—beyond job loss—that educators face. Finally, they highlight the power of labor unions as a force for collective action against political and financial attacks on higher ed.

In this episode of Student Affairs Now, we're exploring the career shift from student affairs to alumni affairs with three panelists who have made the transition themselves: Josh Leidy, Rachel Clark, and Jessica Lee. How do student affairs skills translate to engaging alumni? What challenges and opportunities come with the shift? And what should student affairs professionals know if they're considering a move into alumni engagement? Join us as we discuss the connections between student and alumni experiences, the evolving landscape of alumni affairs, and how institutions can better integrate alumni into the student journey. We'll also unpack common misconceptions, surprising insights, and the role of technology in shaping alumni engagement. Whether you're curious about this career path or looking for ways to strengthen student-to-alumni connections, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.

Dr. Felecia Commodore and Dr. Demetri Morgan join host Heather Shea to discuss the latest threats to higher education and what comes next. This episode was recorded at 5:11 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 27th. Over the past few weeks, we've tracked how the Trump administration is dismantling the Department of Education and weaponizing federal funding to reshape colleges and universities. This week, three major developments add to the urgency: a proposed overhaul of the federal student loan system that could gut borrower protections, escalating attacks on diversity, equity, and free speech on campus, and the critical role professional associations are playing as higher ed's last line of defense. As institutions navigate these pressures, the key question remains—who is prepared to fight back? Tune in for a deep dive into what's at stake and what resistance might look like. Play Suggested APA Citation Shea, H. (Host). (2025, March 28). Current Campus Context: Federal Student Aid, Institutional Autonomy & Associations Push Back (No. 256) [Audio podcast episode]. In Student Affairs NOW. https://studentaffairsnow.com/current-campus-context-mar28/ Transcript Heather SheaHeather, welcome back to current campus context, a limited series from student affairs now the online learning community for those of us working in alongside and adjacent to higher education and student affairs, I'm your host, Heather, Shea and we were recording this episode at 5:11pm, Eastern Time on Thursday, March 27 as always, things might have changed by the time you listen this week, in our fourth episode, we are continuing our deep dive into the evolving landscape of higher ed current campus context is all about making sense of the moment we're in. Each episode, we bring in two experts to break down the latest developments, what's happening, why it matters, and how we can respond within our own spheres of influence. Our goal is to move beyond the headlines, providing context, perspective and actionable strategies to help you navigate these shifts. As part of this series, we have a rotating panel of five experts, so you will hear some familiar voices over the next several weeks, and you can learn more about all of our correspondence at studentaffairs now.com now, before we let you get into today's conversation, I'm excited to introduce our expert correspondents today who will help us unpack the latest developments. First back again this week. Dr Felicia Commodore is an expert in leadership, governance and administrative practices in higher education, with a focus on HBCUs, Ms eyes and black women in leadership. She is an associate professor in education, education policy, organization and leadership at the University of Illinois. Urbana Champaign, welcome back, Felicia, Felecia Commodorethank you. Heather, glad to be back, Heather Sheaand I am excited to introduce our fifth correspondent, Dr Dimitri l Morgan. Dr Morgan is an expert in institutional governance, campus climate, student activism and STEM education in higher ed. He is an associate professor of education at the University of Michigan. Welcome Dimitri. Demetri L. MorganGreat to finally be on and I'm really looking forward to our conversation today. Heather SheaSo, am I so? Am I so? Let's, let's go to the news and see what we're unpacking. Over the past several weeks, we have tracked several different stories. We're going to pick up on some of those themes today. We've tracked the dismantling of the Department of Education, the weaponization of federal funding as key strategies being used by the Trump administration to reshape higher ed. This week, I have three major developments that kind of build on these themes. First, the student loan system is facing a radical overhaul. Trump is proposing to shift federal student loans to the Small Business Administration. This is alarming for me, not just because I think the SBA lacks the infrastructure to manage student aid, but for me,

Dr. Megan Gerhardt discusses moving from intergenerational differences as tension to opportunities. She shares ways we stereotype, shame, and blame other generations, as well as the four practices to help make intergenerational differences a strength in organizations.

In this episode (recorded at 5:08 p.m. on March 20), Dr. OiYan Poon and Dr. Crystal Garcia join Dr. Heather Shea to discuss the executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, the politicization of federal funding, and rising barriers for international students and scholars.

Struggling through his first year as a professor, Dr. Snipes faced feedback that made him question his future in academia. But just as he was ready to walk away, an unexpected encounter encourages him to stay.

It's a story about love, loss, and a beautiful friendship between two higher ed professionals and what it is like for one to move on after the loss of the other.

In this week's rapid-response episode, Dr. Heather Shea is joined by Drs. Felecia Commodore and Brendan Cantwell to break down the latest developments in higher education policy and politics. They discuss the U.S. Department of Education's historic layoffs, the detainment of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, and the federal government's decision to withdraw funding from Columbia University and the University of Maine system. Correspondents discuss Why does this matter? And what can student affairs educators and higher ed leaders do to respond? Tune in for expert insights and actionable takeaways. PlayCurrent Campus Context: Education Cuts, Student Detainment, and the Politics of Funding Suggested APA Citation Shea, H. (Host). (2025, March 14). Current Campus Context: Education Cuts, Student Detainment, and the Politics of Funding (No. 251) [Audio podcast episode]. In Student Affairs NOW. https://studentaffairsnow.com/currentcontext-mar14/ Transcript Heather SheaHeather. Hello. Welcome back to current campus context brought to you by Student Affairs. Now the online learning community for 1000s of us who work in alongside and adjacent to higher education and student affairs, I'm your host, Heather Shea, and this episode was recorded at 5:11pm, Eastern Time on Thursday, March 13. As always, things might have changed by the time you listen, as I shared last week, this limited series is all about making sense of the moment. We're in higher ed is facing rapid changes, and each week we will bring in two experts to help us break down what's happening, why it matters, and what we can do within our spheres of influence. Our goal to provide not just news, but context, perspective and strategies for action. I also want to mention we have a rotating group of five experts contributing to this series, so you'll see some familiar faces over the next several weeks, and you can learn more about all of our correspondents on our website, Student Affairs now.com I'm excited today to introduce our two correspondents who will help us unpack the latest developments. First, Dr Felecia Commodore, an expert in leadership, governance and administrative practices in higher education, with a focus on HBCUs MSIs and black women in leadership. She is an associate professor in educational policy organization and leadership at the University of Illinois. Urbana Champaign, welcome Felecia. Felecia CommodoreThank you. Excited to be here talking through this time. To be alive Heather Sheaa lot. It's a time and joining us again this week. Thanks so much for coming back. Dr Brendan Cantwell, Brendan is an expert in higher education and Policy Governance and political economy of higher ed. He is a professor of higher adult and lifelong education at Michigan State University. Thanks for coming back and joining us for another day, for another episode. Brendan, Brendan Cantwellhey, great to be here. It feels like a year in between the week, Heather Shearight? Yeah, there this week is a lot of things have have happened, so I'm going to give a quick synopsis of three things that have kind of risen to the top of my list, and then we're going to unpack and discuss. So first of all, last week, we reported on Linda McMahon issuing a statement about the final mission. Now, earlier this week, the US Department of Education laid off over 1300 employees, really gutting the department, one of the largest cuts in history. I'm left with many questions, right? So what functions of the department remain? What responsibilities will shift to other agencies? What does this mean for federal financial aid, for education policy, for the office of civil rights enforcement, of the policies that the Dear Colleague letter laid out, which we discussed a little bit last week as well. That's issue number one. Second, I'm thinking about the detainment of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder, in other words,

While attending the 2025 ACPA Conference in Long Beach, California, host Glenn DeGuzman invited random attendees to come in front of the camera and answer the following question: "What topic or issue is very important to you now and that you want to engage with more in student affairs?” The myriad of responses is a reminder of the diversity of people, places, and positions that make up our profession.

Play Episode Description The ground is shifting daily in higher education—policy changes, legal battles, funding threats, and challenges to equity and access. These aren't just headlines; they have real consequences for students, educators, and institutions. That is why Student Affairs Now is launching a limited weekly series called "Current Campus Context." In this week's rapid-response episode, Dr. Heather Shea is joined by Drs. Brendan Cantwell and OiYan Poon to break down the latest developments—from the Department of Education's uncertain future to new guidance in the form of a Feb. 14 Dear Colleague Letter and FAQ, and executive branch threats to punish campuses that hold "illegal" campus protests. Why does it matter? And what can student affairs educators and higher ed leaders do to respond? Tune in for expert insights and actionable takeaways. Suggested APA Citation Shea, H. (Host). (2025, March 7). Current Campus Context: Dear Colleague Letter FAQ, "Illegal" Protests, and more (No. 249) [Audio podcast episode]. In Student Affairs NOW. https://studentaffairsnow.com/currentcontext_march7/ Transcript Heather SheaWelcome to the very first episode of current campus context brought to you by Student Affairs. Now the online learning community for 1000s of us who work in alongside and adjacent to higher education and student affairs, I'm your host, Heather Shea, and this episode was recorded at 5:15pm Heather Sheaon Thursday, March 6. Things might have changed by the time you listen. This new limited series is all about making sense of the moment. We're in higher ed is facing rapid change, and each week we will bring two experts to break down what's happening, why it matters, and what we can do within our spheres of influence. Our goal not just provide the news, but context, perspective and strategies for action. So I'm so excited to introduce our first two correspondents for today. First, Dr Brennan Cantwell is an expert in higher education policy, governance and the political economy of higher education. He is a professor of higher adult and lifelong education at Michigan State University. Hi, Brendan, hey, great to be here. And Dr oyun Poon is an expert in the racial politics of education, access, college admission systems and Asian Americans in education. She is a co director of the college admissions futures collaborative and consultant on higher education equity to Eleanor Governor JB Pritzker education team. Hello, well, welcome, hey, great to be here. Yeah. Thanks so much for joining. So this week, we're focusing on a few key developments with some significant implications for higher ed the first item earlier this week, Linda McMahon, immediately after being sworn in as Secretary of Education, issued her first statement about the department's final Mission. Pretty ominous sounding statement, and I think we expect it hasn't dropped as of the recording yet, an executive order charging McMahon with dismantling the Department of Education, even though we know that officially abolishing it would require an act of Congress. But this leaves me with questions about TRIO programs, Pell Grants, FAFSA. So that's Topic number ONE. Topic number two, february 14, your colleague letter. And then the subsequent FAQ document, which I think was meant to provide some clarification, but for me, made it more hazy in terms of what if anything we should be doing. And then meanwhile, the Chronicle of Higher Ed has been reporting that many campuses are taking anticipatory measures to comply. So that's topic two. And then the third topic, well, I don't want to bring in every single social media post. Earlier this week, Inside Higher Ed reported that the President doubled down on social media posting that college and universities that allow a legal protest would be at risk of losing federal funding. I'm thinking this maybe flies in the face of free speech. Maybe so. I think it goes without saying that these three issues wi...

Join us for a special episode of Student Affairs Now, recorded live at ACPA25 on Monday, February 17, where hosts Raechele Pope and Heather Shea sit down with higher education icons Dr. Lori Patton Davis and Dr. Shaun Harper. These lifelong friends and influential scholars reflect on their groundbreaking research, leadership journeys, and unwavering advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As we reflect on the current moment, this conversation offers timely insights and inspiration for student affairs professionals and educators.

Play We're living in a moment where the ground is shifting daily—from policy changes and legal battles to funding decisions and challenges to the very foundations of our work to promote equity and access. The news isn't just headlines; it has real consequences for students, educators, and institutions. That's why, starting next week, Student Affairs Now is bringing you a weekly, rapid-response conversation to break down the latest developments in higher education. Each Friday morning, we'll release a brief but essential discussion featuring two experts - scholars and thought leaders - who are paying attention to the shifting landscape of higher ed. Together, we'll discuss: What's happening right now? The critical issues making waves this week. Why does it matter? The implications for students, faculty, staff, and institutions. What can we do? How student affairs educators and higher education administrator can respond, advocate, and take action within their spheres of influence. In a time when funding, equity initiatives, academic freedom, and institutional policies are in flux, staying informed isn't enough. We need context. We need perspective. And we need to talk about how to move forward. So, whether you're a campus administrator, faculty member, student affairs educator, or just someone who cares deeply about the future of higher ed, we hope you'll tune in. Our first episode drops next Friday, March 7—stay tuned, and we'll see you then!

Listen in on a conversation with the ACPA Asian Pacific American Network (APAN) Leadership Team. While at the 2025 ACPA Conference in Long Beach, host Glenn DeGuzman invited members of the APAN leadership team, Sam Thornton, Wilson Deng, Em Nakamura, IC Ulep, and Yi Xuen Tay into his kitchen for a sit down conversation on a variety of API related topics and issues currently on the top of their minds. APAN represents APIDA issues and advocates for programs, services, research, and actions within the leadership of the Coalition for Multicultural Affairs and ACPA: College Student Educators International. The APAN Leadership team brought their voices to the table to speak about and react to issues that are relevant to them and their work on APAN and on their respective college campuses.

Editors and authors of the new book Addressing Student Success at Small Colleges join to discuss the power of small colleges in their community, unique niches, and culture. They also discuss the challenges around changing students and families, staffing, financial viability and possibilities around innovation, collaboration, and adaptability.

The team of scholars that researched and developed the Shared Equity Leadership model discusses the origins, applications, and emergence of this model. They discuss the personal journey, values, and practices and how they can support various ways toward helping all students succeed. They explain how distributed, embedded, and integrated responsibility and leadership can make a difference for all.

https://youtu.be/Glu7V0aro2g?feature=shared Episode Description In the midst of managing a campus hurricane evacuation during a pandemic, an administrator recounts a story of an escaped hamster lost in a hotel and his precocious 7 year-old daughter's spirited campaign to find and rescue it. Suggested APA Citation Snipes, J.T. (Host). (2025, February 5). Here's the Story: “The Hamster and the Hurricane.” (No. 243) [Audio podcast episode]. In Student Affairs NOW. https://studentaffairsnow.com/heres-the-story-hamster/ Episode Transcript J.T. SnipesWelcome to Here's the Story, a show that brings Student Affairs to life by sharing the authentic voices and lived experiences of those who are shaping our field every day as a part of the Student Affairs NOW family, we are dedicated to serving and furthering the people who walk the walk, talk, the talk, and carry the rock all of us who find ourselves serving students and their education in student affairs and higher education, we hope you'll sit with us every Wednesday where we'll laugh, reminisce, commiserate, maybe even cry a little, but always celebrate our own little corner of the college experience. You can find us at studentaffairsnow.com, or directly at studentaffairsnow.com/here'sthestory, or on YouTube and anywhere you enjoy your podcast. Today, we'd like to thank today's sponsor evolve. Evolve. Evolve helps senior leaders release fear, gain courage and take action for transformational leadership through a personalized cohort based virtual learning experience, and I'm your host. J.T. Snipes, my pronouns are he him and his? I serve as an Associate Professor and Chair of Educational Leadership at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. I'm trying my best to live as a free black man in a world that would have me live otherwise. I'm with you today from the ancestral lands of the Kickapoo and the Illinois Confederacy. My university resides on land seated in 1819 treaty in Edwardsville, and is now home to SIUE. I'm here with my wonderful co host, Helena. Helena GardnerI'm Helena Gardner, and my pronouns are she, her, hers. I serve as the director of residency, education and housing services at Michigan State University. I live my life as a mom, a sister, a daughter, a friend and a mentor. I'm with you today from the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinabe, three fires, confederacy of Ojibwa, Ottawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on land seated in the 1819, treaty of Saginaw, and is home to Michigan State University. J.T. SnipesHelena. So glad to be with you today. And now I want to introduce my friend Neil, who has a story to tell. But first, Neil, I'd love for you to tell our listeners about how, here's the story podcast came into being and why we're doing this project. Neil E. GolemoY'all, I'm so excited that we're finally, after all the work we've been doing, that it's paying off our first episode. So first I want to say, you know, I'm coming to us from the lands for the COVID The atacap Ishaq and the Karen Kawa people once roamed where they thrived, where they built their lives and left their legacies. And so I'm super excited. I want to remember them for land I'm home. So about this? Okay, so we all know this is a new thing. It's a, you know, a project, this passion thing that we have. It all started, well, actually, it all started with the joke I used to tell about being the one white guy I know that doesn't have a podcast. And, you know, it really kind of comes from this idea that, you know, it's a tough world out there, and in student affairs, it's just one of those. It's not a, you know, it's a calling. It's not yeah question so much. And it's tough out there, you know, like we are problem solvers, and so often we're the ones who get called to clean up messes. Yeah? You know, it's one of those jobs where, like, when you're operating at peak, you know, and you're doing excellent, amazing work,

https://youtu.be/ZU3n1YBJfr0?feature=shared Episode Description Faced with a difficult financial need and slightly overwhelmed with doubt,  a single mom learns a powerful lesson about collective good and allowing colleagues and others to help with creative resolutions.   Suggested APA Citation Golemo, N.E. (Host). (2025, February 5). Here's the Story: “Leaning on Collective Good.” (No. 244) [Audio podcast episode]. In Student Affairs NOW. https://studentaffairsnow.com/heres-the-story-leaning-on-collective-good/ Episode Transcript J.T. SnipesWelcome to Here's the Story, a show that brings Student Affairs to life by sharing the authentic voices and lived experiences of those who are shaping our field every day as a part of the Student Affairs NOW family, we are dedicated to serving and furthering the people who walk the walk, talk, the talk, and carry the rock all of us who find ourselves serving students and their education in student affairs and higher education, we hope you'll sit with us every Wednesday where we'll laugh, reminisce, commiserate, maybe even cry a little, but always celebrate our own little corner of the college experience. You can find us at studentaffairsnow.com, or directly at studentaffairsnow.com/here'sthestory, or on YouTube and anywhere you enjoy your podcast. Today, we'd like to thank today's sponsor evolve. Evolve. Evolve helps senior leaders release fear, gain courage and take action for transformational leadership through a personalized cohort based virtual learning experience, and I'm your host. J.T. Snipes, my pronouns are he him and his? I serve as an Associate Professor and Chair of Educational Leadership at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. I'm trying my best to live as a free black man in a world that would have me live otherwise. I'm with you today from the ancestral lands of the Kickapoo and the Illinois Confederacy. My university resides on land seated in 1819 treaty in Edwardsville, and is now home to SIUE. I'm here with my wonderful co host, Helena. Helena GardnerI'm Helena Gardner, and my pronouns are she, her, hers. I serve as the director of residency, education and housing services at Michigan State University. I live my life as a mom, a sister, a daughter, a friend and a mentor. I'm with you today from the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinabe, three fires, confederacy of Ojibwa, Ottawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on land seated in the 1819, treaty of Saginaw, and is home to Michigan State University. J.T. SnipesHelena. So glad to be with you today. And now I want to introduce my friend Neil, who has a story to tell. But first, Neil, I'd love for you to tell our listeners about how, here's the story podcast came into being and why we're doing this project. Neil E. GolemoY'all, I'm so excited that we're finally, after all the work we've been doing, that it's paying off our first episode. So first I want to say, you know, I'm coming to us from the lands for the COVID The atacap Ishaq and the Karen Kawa people once roamed where they thrived, where they built their lives and left their legacies. And so I'm super excited. I want to remember them for land I'm home. So about this? Okay, so we all know this is a new thing. It's a, you know, a project, this passion thing that we have. It all started, well, actually, it all started with the joke I used to tell about being the one white guy I know that doesn't have a podcast. And, you know, it really kind of comes from this idea that, you know, it's a tough world out there, and in student affairs, it's just one of those. It's not a, you know, it's a calling. It's not yeah question so much. And it's tough out there, you know, like we are problem solvers, and so often we're the ones who get called to clean up messes. Yeah? You know, it's one of those jobs where, like, when you're operating at peak, you know, and you're doing excellent, amazing work,

Lisa Gerber discusses her new book, The Power of Story. Lisa shares that stories can help us connect, relate, and build trust. She also shares the three keys to good stories. Dr. Neil Golemo joins to learn from Lisa as he and colleagues launch a new episode format for Student Affairs Now called Here's the Story.

Drs. Jorge Burmicky and Kevin McClure discuss their research on effective leadership in higher education. They bring quantitative and qualitative data to help us understand the challenges and competencies of successful college presidents. They discuss the seven interconnected competencies and ways to develop them for more effective executive leadership in higher education and beyond.

Authors of the new book Activism, Burnout, and Community in Higher Education: Narratives of College Student Activists, connect with Heather Shea to discuss the emotional and systemic challenges student activists face, the crucial role of collective care, and strategies for fostering environments that balance activism with well-being.This groundbreaking new book weaves together personal stories, research insights, and practical recommendations to offer timely insights into navigating the complexities of activism in higher education.

The skills to engage and bridge differences are needed in higher education and our world today. Kristi Clemens and Dr. Elizabeth Smith share about how the Dartmouth Dialogue Project emerged, how it is structured, and what they have learned through the process thus far. They discuss the key elements of relationship building and empathy, viewing dialogue as a practice, and yearning for and obstacles to dialogue. 

Join Adam Jussel, Dimitri Topitzes, and Alberto Jose Maldonado from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee as they share about their trauma-informed practices and frameworks - how they came to be, how they have embraced them broadly, and the results. They share how an inclusive process surfaced the need for a trauma-informed approach and how centering relationships and connection has deepened understanding, empowered folks, and fostered engagement.

In part 2 of the "Tipped and Tested" series, Dr. Anne Hornak, talks further about her unique sabbatical experience, where she worked as a server at a restaurant while taking nine credit hours at a community college. As Anne shares her experiences in the service industry, she and host Heather Shea discuss privilege, empathy, and the importance of wraparound support for financially strained students. The conversation also explores the personal and family impacts of these experiences and the broader lessons they offer for understanding and addressing student needs.

https://youtu.be/vip2ES2TGwg?si=N5R040krrlxP5bmX Episode Description Dr. Anne Hornak, professor at Central Michigan University, shares insights from her unique sabbatical experience, where she worked as a server at a restaurant while taking nine credit hours at a community college to better understand the experiences of financially strapped students. She highlights several challenges such as unexpected online textbook costs, lack of community, and the stress of balancing work and school. The conversation also explores the lessons for higher education institutions to provide more transparent and accessible support systems and the importance administrative empathy. Suggested APA Citation Shea, H. (Host). (2024, December 18). Tipped and Tested (Part 1): A Sabbatical Spent Serving and Studying (No. 236) [Audio podcast episode]. In Student Affairs NOW. https://studentaffairsnow.com/tipped-and-tested-1/ Episode Transcript Anne M. HornakSo a sabbatical in academic world is about every seven years, and it's pretty standard across most institutions in the United States. So every seven years, faculty can apply for a sabbatical. It can be a semester long or a year long experience and full disclosure at most institutions, I think the average is, if you do a semester long, it's at full pay. If you do a year long, it's at half pay. So I don't want to pretend that it's not paid, so you're still paid your salary. And there's multiple ways that you can engage in a sabbatical. It doesn't always have to be research. I chose the research option, and we'll kind of unpack that and explore that in this episode. But you can also do faculty do teaching, so they go to other institutions, and maybe they're working on some, you know, teaching and learning. You can also do administrative. So there's faculty that take leave to go do administrative type work too. So there's lots of different kind of ways that you can engage in a sabbatical. Heather SheaWelcome to Student Affairs NOW the online learning community for Student Affairs educators, I'm your host, Heather Shea, today, we're diving into the first of a two part conversation with Dr Anne Hornak, Professor of higher education at Central Michigan University. Anne's work centers on supporting rural students in their college journeys, advancing student affairs and community colleges and tackling issues of access and equity in higher education. Last spring, she took on a very unique sabbatical project that offered fresh insights into these areas, and we are so lucky to have her share these experiences and findings with us. Student Affairs NOW is the premier podcast and online learning community for 1000s of us who work in alongside or adjacent to the field of higher education and student affairs, we hope you'll find these conversations make a contribution to the field and are restorative to the profession. We release new episodes every week on Wednesdays, and you can find us at studentaffairsnow.com, on YouTube or anywhere you listen to podcasts. I am super excited to share that we are launching a new podcast format featuring storytelling and reflection. Our new series captures the essence of Student Affairs through the power of personal narrative, featuring impactful moments shared by professionals in the field with stories that range from funny and heartwarming to profound and challenging, each episode will explore the deeper meaning behind these experiences. We are super excited to welcome three new host correspondents to join us in our new podcast format, and you should stay tuned for more information about how you can contribute. So let's get to the episode. Welcome, welcome to the podcast Anne. Anne M. HornakThank you. I'm so excited to be here. Heather SheaYeah, I'm so glad that you were able to join and that you pitched this idea, because this is a fascinating way to spend your sabbatical. So maybe let's begin by Tell me a little bit about how you framed the sabbatical.

Drs. Colin Stewart and President Rob Kelly discuss their book, Disruptive Transformation: Leading Creative and Innovative Teams in Higher Education. They focus on challenging norms and perfectionism and valuing diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging. They discuss how leaders can look inward to foster creativity and create organizational cultures that support innovation.

Drs. Jason Pina and Amy Hecht discuss their edited book, The Next Act: Realigning Your Mindset, Purpose, and Career. They share various paths within, beyond, and back to higher education for senior leaders. They discuss change, agency, possibilities, transition, privilege, and capacity.

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Reyes talks about his book, Lenses of Humanity, in which he explores how shifting our lens can reveal the deep humanity that reminds us of the shared connections that unite us all. He describes this book as part memoir, part academic investigation, and part public discourse- and as a gift and love letter to his children. Anchored in hope and possibility, this episode is the restorative moment you may not have known you needed.

Drs. Chris Linder, Niah Grimes, & Nadeeka Karunaratne join to discuss their new book, Thinking Like an Abolitionist to End Sexual Violence in Higher Education. They discuss abolitionist thinking, oppressive systems, liberation approaches, abundance, social change as inner work, and transformation around community, hope, and love.

In this special episode, we're featuring Dr. Kristen Renn's inspiring talk, The Futures of Student Affairs: Look Back, Look Around, Look Ahead, presented at the 75th anniversary celebration of Michigan State University's Student Affairs Administration (SAA) Master's program. Kris reflects on the history and values of student affairs, addresses current challenges, and shares her vision for the future, encouraging us to engage our values, embrace our unique strengths, become more multilingual and vocal, and make a compelling case for higher education and human thriving. At the end of the episode, host Heather Shea and SAA alum Brandon Arnold will join in a dialogue, offering reflections and insights to extend the conversation.

Jess Pettitt discusses her new book, Almost Good Enough, which explores the subtle shifts at the fulcrum between doing harm and doing good. She discusses compassion and humanity, best practices and intuition, and ways to foster innovation and description related to DEI and beyond. If we can be prepared, recognize what is going on beyond us, and move from reactivity to response, we can do more good, cause less harm, and learn and grow.

In this episode of Student Affairs NOW, host Heather Shea welcomes Dr. Z Nicolazzo, author of the influential book Trans* in College: Transgender Students' Strategies for Navigating Campus Life and the Institutional Politics of Inclusion, along with two of her doctoral students, Clar Gobuyan and Pin-Ru Su. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of support for transgender students in higher education, delving into concepts of kinship, chosen family, and institutional inclusion. Tune in as they share insights on how universities can better support trans students' academic success and well-being through innovative research and practice.

In this episode of Student Affairs Now, ACPA Presidents past and present—Jill Carnaghi (2000-2001), Paul Shang (2002-2003), Stephen John Quaye (2017-2018), Rachel Aho (current ACPA President), and Jonathan McElderry (President-Elect)—connect with co-hosts Gudrun Nyunt and Heather Shea (immediate Past President) to reflect on ACPA's growth and influence over the years. The panel explores pivotal moments from their presidencies, the importance of ACPA's ongoing mission, and offer advice for future leadership. As ACPA celebrates its 100th birthday on ACPA Day (October 21, 2024), the conversation delves into how the association continues to influence the field and what lies ahead for its future. Don't miss this insightful discussion on leadership, legacy, and transformation in higher education!

This episode examines the current status, and future directions of race and indigeneity in student affairs and higher education. The episode offers a brief glimpse of the evolution of ACPA as an example of one professional association grappling with and addressing these complex issues.

In this co-hosted episode with ACPA our featured panelists discuss political and legislative advocacy in higher education. In an increasingly complex time in higher education, student affairs educators are faced with balancing navigating environments that are under greater scrutiny, supporting student well-being and success, and protecting their own personal well-being. Join our panelists as they share their guidance, pathways of discernment, and strategies for effective approaches to advocacy as educators and scholars.

In this episode, join Drs. Tanya Koroyan, Steve Sutton, and Jason Lynch join the podcast as they explore professional staff wellness for those who work in and around residential living and student affairs. This conversation brings together 3 professionals who each possess both research and practitioner experience in this topic. They will explore not only the conversations they are having with their peers, but also provide current research, practical strategies, and useful resources to build or enhance workplace wellness. 

This episode discusses the identities and experiences of Jewish students on campus today.. Many Jewish students have reported feeling unsafe and traumatized amidst the rise of antisemitism on campus, in our nation, and across the globe. Our guest, Dr. Elisa Abes, offers a critical perspective to deeply examine the realities of anti-semitism on college campuses and its impact on Jewish students.

The leadership of Black women in student affairs and higher education is part of the essential story of the success and challenges of our colleges and universities. Unfortunately, these stories are often erased and thus their contributions minimized. Black women's experiences as supervisors and supervisees is a key part of their leadership journey. It's time for us to explore how the changing landscape affects the experiences and leadership pathways for Black women.

In this episode, we explore the power of grassroots voting initiatives on college campuses. Join host Heather Shea as she speaks with leaders from key organizations dedicated to mobilizing and empowering student voters. They share their stories, strategies for increasing voter registration and turnout, and practical advice for student affairs staff ahead of the national election. Tune in to discover how these initiatives are making a difference and what steps can be taken to engage more students in the political process.

In this conversation, we discuss the challenges, pride, and support for first-generation graduate students. Guests share their experiences, tips for others, recommendations and suggestions for faculty and staff working to support these students, and ways involvement and engagement with ACPA can help get that support and look to address systemic issues in higher education and society.