Current Campus Context: Making Sense of the Signals Amid the Noise

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In this September episode of Current Campus Context, host Heather Shea welcomes back Dr. Crystal Garcia and Dr. Brendan Cantwell for a timely conversation on the state of higher education. The discussion begins with reintroductions and updates on their current research projects, then turns to how scholars and practitioners can separate meaningful policy “signals” from distracting “noise” in today’s overwhelming news cycle. Together, they highlight underreported developments from the past month, consider what gives them hope as the academic year unfolds, and reflect on the challenges and opportunities shaping the months ahead — from looming federal deadlines to long-term structural shifts in higher education.

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Here’s the Story: “One or None: Difficult Decisions I Would Make Again”

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W. Scott Lewis recounts a moment as a Vice President for Student Affairs when his role unexpectedly required hostage negotiation skills to support a student in crisis. Surrounded by FBI agents and campus police, Scott’s decisions were risky, maybe a little lucky, and deeply human—yet ones he’d make again in service to his students. Scott tells this story masterfully, balancing the real tension with his legendary sense of humor, underscoring the weight of leadership in Student Affairs.

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Here’s the Story: “What Everyone Wants To Know: How I Got My Job”

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No matter where he goes, the constant question is raised, "How did you get that job?". Finding the perfect higher education adjacent role is a unique and intentional journey. Learn as Paul Brown shares his journey on how he found joy at Roompact.

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DEIB: Holding Together at the Crossroads

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We are seeing the politicization of DEIB across higher education. Join Rev. Sam Offer, dr. becky martinez, and Rev. Dr. Jamie Washington discuss how campus leaders can lead through this shifting landscape with integrity and effectiveness. They touch on the context of culture change progress and pushback, performativity and sustainability, well-being for DEIB professionals, responding to students, and coalition building for us all.

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The New Science of Learning

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Dr. Todd Zakrajsek shares with us learnings from the science of learning and his newest book, Essentials of the New Science of Learning. He distills cutting-edge research in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and education to help students optimize their learning through many examples and stories. This conversation is helpful for our own learning, helping others learn, and powerful lessons about the value of struggle and even failure.

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College Student Gambling

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College student gambling is not a new phenomenon, but the landscape around it has changed dramatically in the last few years. These three experts discuss the changing context, changes in student gambling behavior, and how student affairs professionals can help students navigate this.

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Current Campus Context: Reflections, Tensions, and Hopes for Higher Ed 

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Current Campus Context is Student Affairs Now’s rapid-response series breaking down the latest developments in higher education. In this August edition, host Heather Shea is joined by Dr. Felecia Commodore, Dr. Brendan Cantwell, and Dr. Demetri L. Morgan to reflect on the summer’s most significant events shaping higher ed. Together they explore tensions between values and practice, policy and reality, and what students are bringing into the new semester, while also highlighting progress, innovation, and what keeps us motivated in this work.

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Here’s the Story: “Unstoppable Confidence”

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In a classic "student affairs" moment, a young professional steps up to coach a scrappy women’s club soccer team rather than let their season be canceled. They only scored one point all year—but what they gained in confidence, community, and self-advocacy was a championship of its own.

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Here’s the Story: “Roots and Returns”

An experienced student affairs professional reflects on how career “derailments” and “stagnant seasons” turned out to be pivotal to her growth, not signs of failure. In a moving twist, she finds unexpected joy and support from former students—proof that the seeds she planted long ago blossomed right when she needed them most.

Navigating the Changing Landscape of College Athletics

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Recent changes to college sports are monumental for athletics, athletes, and all of higher education. Shifts in name, image, and likeness (NIL), revenue sharing, unionization, transfer portal, TV money and conference realignment, and more are each having a massive impact and collectively will leave college sports unrecognizable to many and incredibly complex to navigate for all involved. Join four experts as they explain these changes, discuss the implications, and give us an idea of what is ahead for us all.

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