Category: Student Learning and Development

What do you wish every new student affairs graduate student knew before they began their program? In this episode, a large panel of student affairs faculty and graduate educators shares practical advice for making the most of graduate school—from assistantships, mentorship, and relationships to navigating failure, balance, and the changing landscape of higher education. Whether you’re starting graduate school, considering a career in student affairs, or mentoring future professionals, this conversation offers encouragement, perspective, and lessons learned along the way.

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What if college student development is more complex than our traditional theories suggest? In this episode, we talk with the authors of Exploring Complexities in College Student Development: Critical Lessons from Researching Students' Journeys about the lessons they've learned from years of research and hundreds of student stories. Together, we explore how students make meaning of their experiences, challenge long-held assumptions, and consider new ways educators can support student growth in today’s evolving higher education landscape.

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Education abroad is not just “travel.” It is a high-impact learning experience shaped by the current realities of U.S. higher education: student mental health, belonging, political polarization, affordability, global awareness, career readiness, and the role of faculty and staff in helping students make meaning across difference. While co-leading an undergraduate education abroad program in Europe, Student Affairs NOW host Heather Shea connected with four students, a faculty co-leader, and a program assistant to discuss the importance of education abroad in a changing higher education landscape. Together, they reflect on identity, history, learning, and student development while exploring how education abroad can help students better understand themselves, others, and their place in an increasingly interconnected world.

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In part two, authors Drs. Kristen Renn, Chayla Haynes Davison, Alex C. Lange, Cristobal Salinas Jr., and Rosemary Perez unpack the Student Development Theory in Action (SDTiA) model—the framework at the center of the book and a response to the need for more usable, practice-oriented theory. They explain how the model works, why it emphasizes developmental processes and context, and where educators have the most influence. This episode offers a clear, actionable way to connect theory to the real work of supporting students.

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Student development theory is often seen as the foundation of student affairs, but many educators struggle to apply it in everyday practice. In this first episode, authors Drs. Kristen Renn, Chayla Haynes Davison, Alex C. Lange, Cristobal Salinas Jr., and Rosemary Perez explore what we often get wrong about theory—and why this book is needed right now. We discuss the origins of College Student Development Theory in Action and how it’s designed to help educators, graduate students, and practitioners actually use theory in their work.

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