Strong Integration and Systemness: Practicing Interconnected and Relational Leadership in Higher Education

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Given the challenges higher education is facing right now, we need models of leadership that are mission-driven, student-centered, and nimble and adaptable. Dr. Brian Bruess, is the first president of both the College of St Benedict and St. John’s University. He is leading what they call strong integration and putting systemness into practice to bring a more interconnected and relational way of leading.

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The Connected College: Leadership Strategies for Student Success

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In The Connected College, Elliot Felix talks about breaking down silos through a more connected structure and strategy for student success. He is joined by Dr. Daniel Maxwell, who has decades of student affairs experience to bring The Connected College to practical applications for student affairs leaders to improve the quantitative and qualitative student experience through more integrated approaches.

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Here’s the Story: “Living without the ‘Should'”

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Learning to release the pressure of the "shoulds" and leaning into authentic desires is not easy feat. This episode explores the courageous decision of releasing the rules and making the decision to embrace a life worth living. 

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Campus Racial Climate: Past, Present, & Future

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This episode was inspired by the recent article by Drs. Shaun Harper and Oscar Patrón, Three Decades of Campus Racial Climate Studies and 25 New Directions for Future Research, which builds on the foundational work of Dr. Sylvia Hurtado. Together, their scholarship has profoundly shaped how we understand race, racism, and belonging in higher education. We’ll discuss how campus racial climate research has evolved over the past 30 years, what challenges and opportunities remain, and where this critical field is headed next.

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Current Campus Context: Shutdowns and Showdowns in Higher Ed

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As the federal government shutdown continues, colleges and universities are grappling with its immediate effects on students and operations. Meanwhile, the proposed “Compact for Academic Excellence” is sparking debate about federal influence over campus policies and values. This episode explores how funding, freedom, and inclusion intersect in today’s political climate—and how student affairs professionals are helping students and institutions navigate these challenges.

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Understanding the Cost of Caring: Vicarious Trauma in Student Affairs

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Vicarious trauma is real, it’s widespread, and it’s not the same thing as “needing more self-care.” In this episode, Dr. Jill Bassett-Cameron joins Student Affairs NOW to explain what vicarious trauma is, how it shows up in our work, and why student affairs professionals must stop ignoring or minimizing it. Dr. Bassett-Cameron offers a timely and validating conversation about how we can name, manage, and reduce the trauma we absorb through service.

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Here’s the Story: “Navigating Work-Life with Long Covid”

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A student affairs professional navigating the challenges of living and working with long COVID is learning to reimagine both leadership and life. Balancing the demands of a high-energy, people-centered field with the unpredictability of chronic illness requires new rhythms of care, patience, and adaptability. This journey is less about returning to “normal” and more about creating a sustainable way forward—leading with vulnerability, modeling resilience, and redefining success through balance, boundaries, and community.

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Generous Thinking & Leading

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Dr. Kathleen Fitzpatrick discusses two of her books Generous Thinking and the companion, Leading Generously. She argues against critique for critique's sake, zero-sum thinking, and competitive individualism toward collaborative, mutually supportive, and generative ways of being, thinking, and leading. In this conversation, she shares why, what, and how of leading generously.

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Reflections and Forward Momentum: 25 Years of the ACPA Coalition for Disability & 35 Years of the ADA

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In this special episode of Student Affairs NOW, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ACPA Coalition for Disability and 35 years since the passage of the ADA. Panelists Erin Mayo, Kat Hurley, Mike Kutnak, Antonia De Michiel, and Spencer Scruggs join us to discuss the past, present, and future of disability in student affairs and higher education. From challenging ableism to promoting universal design and inclusive practice, this conversation is a call to deepen our collective commitment to access and equity for all.

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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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