Is Student Affairs Relevant for the 21st Century? Tony W. Cawthon ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

students demand convenience—they will demand more online courses, allowing them to enroll at multiple institutions. With the increase in online institutions and online degree programs, student affairs professionals much think creatively on how to deliver the work of student affairs. Our traditional methods of delivery will not work with this population, and in fact, if innovative approaches are not embraced, student affairs might be eliminated as we currently know it at these institutions. Obviously not all institutions will eliminate their student affairs divisions; however even for those campuses, change is inevitable. Changes in economic conditions and increased accountability are likely to impact these campuses. These changes will also impact and redirect the competencies needed by student affairs professionals. Moneta and Jackson (2011) identified the following competences for successful SSAO in the next future as: (a) understanding of student’s educational and developmental needs (b) knowledge of legal mandates and statues, (c) understand the global nature of higher education, and (d) issues of accountability. In short as stated by Iwata (2011), the bottom line is that student affairs professionals can no longer simply function and lead as usual. Student affairs professionals must “not only manage change; they must lead change (p. X). Karen D. Boyd’s (seasoned practitioner) Perspective on the Future and Relevancy of Student Affairs “…heightened competition, changing revenue streams, demographics, technology, and altered public perceptions are creating serious threats and opportunities for higher education…” The future of higher education: A view from CHEMA (The Council of Higher Education Management Associations), August 2006 6
There is widespread agreement that change is coming for the organization and delivery of higher education and student affairs in particular. The Council of Higher Education Management Associations’ prediction and the other prognostications cited earlier accurately identified the catalysts, if not the magnitude coming 2 years before the economic collapse, of our current reality. Higher education and student affairs/services in particular are at a juncture (Goldstein, 2006; The National Taskforce on Civic Learning and Democracy, 2012). The opportunity to influence the direction higher education takes will pass student affairs by if we do not embrace the challenge, rethink our work, and take quick and intentional action. At this rare moment filled with the possibilities and pitfalls inherent in dramatic change, it is my belief that student affairs finds itself in need of clear purpose and visionary leadership. Students and society value a college degree, but both groups are beginning to question the quality, priorities (administrative and otherwise), and cost of higher education. The past 10 years in higher education was filled with explosive and anxiety-producing news of shootings, deep recession-driven budget cuts, expanding student protests, critical associational self-studies and governmental reports, and increasingly intrusive legislative oversight of campus life, costs, and finances. Simultaneously, increasingly diverse student populations gained access to college only to find that the interculturally competent college communities and supportive educational environments necessary to their success were not entirely in place. Each layer of issues and corresponding public expectations bring with it a sense of growing public distrust and the work of higher education and student affairs becomes more complex. Though distressing, these events are not new if looked at within a historical context. Each reflects long-observed trends that may portend an evolutionary trek, but are not precursors to cataclysmic change. Student violence, disruption, economic trends and the ebb and flow of 7
Page 1 and 2: Is Student Affairs Relevant for the
Page 3 and 4: -Which current priorities are susta
Page 5: under attack in recent years. Recen
Page 9 and 10: student experience and disrupted th
Page 11 and 12: education requirements, and more so
Page 13 and 14: Robert “Beau” Seagraves’ Jr,
Page 15 and 16: administrators often play an active
Page 17 and 18: continue to thrive. However, consol
Page 19 and 20: provide our institutions with evide
Page 21 and 22: References ACPA & NASPA, Task Force
Page 23 and 24: Association of College and Universi

Is Student Affairs Relevant for the 21st Century? Tony W. Cawthon ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?