We’re living in a moment when the ground beneath higher education continues to shift—from policy changes and legal battles to funding decisions, political pressures, and challenges to equity, access, and the fundamental purposes of our institutions. The news isn’t just headlines; it has real consequences for students, educators, and campuses.
That’s why Student Affairs Now created Current Campus Context—a recurring series that goes beyond the headlines to help student affairs educators and higher education leaders understand what’s happening, why it matters, and what comes next.
A New Season. More Voices. More Context.
For this new season, we’re expanding our group of expert correspondents—scholars and higher education thought leaders who bring a range of expertise and perspectives to the issues shaping our field.
Each monthly episode brings together 2–3 correspondents whose expertise connects with the issues of the moment. Through candid, accessible conversation, they help us make sense of developments related to higher education policy and politics, student affairs, academic freedom, equity and access, funding, institutional decision-making, and more.
Together, we ask:
- What’s happening right now? What developments should higher education professionals be paying attention to?
- Why does it matter? What are the implications for students, educators, institutions, and our broader communities?
- What context are we missing? What history, research, policy, or perspective can help us better understand the moment?
- What can we do? How can student affairs educators and higher education leaders respond, advocate, and act within their spheres of influence?
Since launching Current Campus Context in the spring of 2025, our expert correspondents have helped us navigate a rapidly changing higher education landscape through thoughtful conversation, analysis, and—sometimes—healthy disagreement.
This season, our expanded correspondent group allows us to bring even more perspectives to the table, matching the conversation to the issues emerging across higher education.
Because when the news moves quickly, context matters.
Explore past episodes below and stay tuned for new conversations throughout the year.
2026-2027 Correspondents
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.
Thank You to Our Past Correspondents
Current Campus Context has been strengthened by the many voices and perspectives around the table. We are deeply grateful to the following past expert correspondents for sharing their time, expertise, and insights with our community.
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.
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.
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.
