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 Student Affairs Now created Current Campus Context, a news podcast designed to break down the latest developments in higher education.
Current Campus Context is a rapid-response limited series that unpacks the most pressing issues each week. Every episode features two expert correspondents—scholars and thought leaders—who provide analysis on the challenges and developments impacting student affairs, academic freedom, equity initiatives, funding, institutional policies, and more. 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 administrators can respond, advocate, and take action within their spheres of influence.
Since launching this series, we’ve produced multiple episodes (linked below) featuring dynamic conversations among subject matter experts breaking down the latest news shaping higher education and student affairs.
In a time of constant change, we go beyond the headlines to provide the context, perspective, and actionable insights that higher ed professionals need to navigate this evolving landscape.
Stay tuned for new episodes every week!
Correspondents
Brendan Cantwell
Dr. Brendan 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.
Felecia Commodore
Dr. Felecia Commodore is 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 Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Crystal Garcia
Dr. Crystal Garcia is an expert in minoritized college students’ experiences within campus environments. She is an Associate Professor and Ph.D. program coordinator in the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Demetri Morgan
Dr. Demetri L. Morgan is an expert in institutional governance, campus climate, student activism, and STEM education in higher education. He is an Associate Professor of Education at the University of Michigan.
OiYan Poon
Dr. OiYan Poon is an expert in the racial politics of education access, college admissions systems, and Asian Americans and education. She is a Co-Director of the College Admissions Futures Co-Laborative and consultant on higher education equity to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s education team.
Hosted by
Dr. Heather Shea is a passionate advocate for fostering critical hope and creating inclusive environments in higher education and student affairs. A past president of ACPA, she brings expertise in equity-centered leadership, student affairs professional preparation, feminist identity development, and experiential learning. In her current role in the Office of Undergraduate Education at Michigan State University, Heather is committed to addressing institutional deficits and ensuring all students have the opportunity to persist and thrive.
