Who Defines Poverty? Harvard Rejects Demands, & the Promise of American Higher Ed

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:54 — 13.5MB)

Subscribe to #SAnow RSS | Subscribe to #SAnow Podcast

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.

Continue reading →

I work(ed) at the Department of Education.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:34 — 46.4MB)

Subscribe to #SAnow RSS | Subscribe to #SAnow Podcast

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.

Continue reading →

From Student Affairs to Alumni Affairs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:13:03 — 50.2MB)

Subscribe to #SAnow RSS | Subscribe to #SAnow Podcast

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.

Continue reading →

Current Campus Context: Exec. Order Dismantling the Dept. of Education, Weaponizing Federal Funding, International Students & Scholars

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:17 — 56.3MB)

Subscribe to #SAnow RSS | Subscribe to #SAnow Podcast

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.

Continue reading →

Current Campus Context: Education Cuts, Student Detainment, and the Politics of Funding

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:53 — 55.3MB)

Subscribe to #SAnow RSS | Subscribe to #SAnow Podcast

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...

Continue reading →

Current Campus Context: Dear Colleague Letter FAQ, “Illegal” Protests, and more

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:31 — 47.3MB)

Subscribe to #SAnow RSS | Subscribe to #SAnow Podcast

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...

Continue reading →

Lori Patton Davis & Shaun Harper in Conversation

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:35 — 39.6MB)

Subscribe to #SAnow RSS | Subscribe to #SAnow Podcast

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.

Continue reading →

Activism, Burnout, and Community in Higher Education: Narratives of College Student Activists

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:09 — 42.7MB)

Subscribe to #SAnow RSS | Subscribe to #SAnow Podcast

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.

Continue reading →

Tipped and Tested (Part 2): A Sabbatical Spent Serving and Studying

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:10 — 27.0MB)

Subscribe to #SAnow RSS | Subscribe to #SAnow Podcast

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.

Continue reading →

Tipped and Tested (Part 1): A Sabbatical Spent Serving and Studying

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:42 — 45.2MB)

Subscribe to #SAnow RSS | Subscribe to #SAnow Podcast

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.

Continue reading →