The 2026 midterm elections have dramatically shifted the political landscape, but what does that mean for higher education and student affairs? In this special edition of Current Campus Context, our expert correspondents unpack the implications for federal and state policy, funding, DEI initiatives, international students, and institutional governance. Together, we explore what has changed, what challenges remain, and what this moment might make possible as we consider how to move beyond reacting to uncertainty toward actively shaping the future of higher education.
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Explore the gap between how corporate executives are onboarded and how student affairs VPs are (or aren't). This conversation builds on Executive Transitions in Student Affairs, which offers candid, practical reflection from more than twenty sitting and former VPs, organized into topical essentials and real-world case studies to help a new generation of leaders navigate what may be the highest-stakes transition of their careers. Guests Drs. Ainsely Carey and Stephanie Gordon share insights from the book as well as their current research and writing on the topic.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:11 — 24.2MB)
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A senior university leader reflects on the lessons learned along the journey—from finding community and building meaningful relationships to navigating the competing demands of leadership and family. Through stories and practical wisdom, they share what it means to build a career that works not only for you, but for the people who matter most.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:57 — 46.7MB)
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Professional development is about more than conferences and résumé building—it’s about intentional growth aligned with your values and career goals. In this episode, host Dr. Glenn DeGuzman welcomes Dr. Conor McLaughlin, Windi Sasaki, and Hannah Aksamit to explore mentorship, leadership, career transitions, and meaningful growth opportunities. Whether you're new to student affairs or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers practical insights for investing in your professional journey.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:01 — 41.9MB)
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Drs. Stephen John Quaye and Sumun Pendakur, editors of Student Engagement in Higher Education: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Approaches for Diverse Populations, discuss the new edition of this foundational book, bringing together the work of 50 scholars and practitioners. Each chapter focuses on engaging a different student population and includes three new "Problems of Practice" chapters. They discuss implications for navigating and leading higher education for all students in this moment.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:11 — 40.0MB)
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In this October edition of Current Campus Context, expert correspondents Dr. Kaleb Briscoe and Dr. Ethan Ris examine three pressing higher education issues: campus sexual violence and institutional accountability, federal investigations into the J-1 visa program, and widespread budget cuts and layoffs. Together, they explore what these developments reveal about institutional priorities, the tension between stated values and actual decisions, and the implications for student safety, belonging, and success.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:41 — 43.7MB)
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This conversation explores the nuances and complexity of AI beyond the binaries of "it's terrible" or "it's great." Three thinkers really explore the complexity of AI, data centers, teaching and learning, practice, and more. They explore the ethics and the environmental considerations, as well as a helpful metaphor about elevators. This conversation is thoughtful, critical, and hopeful.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:11 — 27.6MB)
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Structured Serendipity explores how what feels like luck is often the result of intentional people, meaningful opportunities, and environments designed to help students succeed. In this episode, a current housing director reflects on the student job that unexpectedly became the foundation of a lifelong career in higher education. Through stories of mentorship, challenge, privilege, and perseverance, they consider how those early experiences shaped not only their own journey, but their enduring commitment to creating the same opportunities for the next generation of students
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:35 — 40.2MB)
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Many conversations about race in higher education begin with the assumption that students simply need more exposure to diversity or education about racism. But what if white students arrive on campus having already spent years learning powerful lessons about race through their families, schools, neighborhoods, and everyday experiences?
Drawing on years of qualitative research, Drs. Zak Foste and Lauren Irwin challenge this “Empty Vessel Hypothesis,” examining how colleges and universities can reproduce, rather than disrupt, the racial understandings students bring with them. Their work invites us to rethink how students learn about race—and the role institutions play in reinforcing or challenging those lessons.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:36 — 40.9MB)
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College student mental health continues to be one of the most pressing issues facing higher education. In this episode of Student Affairs NOW, host Heather Shea is joined by Dr. Alexis Redding, editor of Mental Health in College: What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students, along with contributors Bryan Ashton, Adrian Gonzales, and Dr. Adam Pierson Milano. Together, they explore the latest research on student well-being, discuss how financial stress, institutional culture, and support for veteran students shape mental health outcomes, and share practical, research-informed strategies that every campus can use to create environments where students can thrive.