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 a weekly, rapid-response conversation to break down the latest developments in higher education. Each Friday morning, we’ll release a brief but essential discussion featuring experts – scholars and thought leaders – who are paying attention to the shifting landscape of higher ed. 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.
In a time when funding, equity initiatives, academic freedom, and institutional policies are in flux, staying informed isn’t enough. We need context. We need perspective. And we need to talk about how to move forward.
So, whether you’re a campus administrator, faculty member, student affairs educator, or just someone who cares deeply about the future of higher ed, we hope you’ll tune in.
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 the Director of Pathways Persistence Programs in Undergraduate Education at Michigan State University. A past president of ACPA, she has a background in student affairs, leadership development, and experiential learning. Heather is passionate about addressing institutional deficits and creating environments where all students can thrive.
