The Compass Report: Charting the Future of Student Affairs

Supporting students from an equity-minded lens is critical. While operationalizing commitments to advancing social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) is an institutionwide responsibility, student affairs staff must have a shared understanding of the vision, strategies, opportunities, and challenges for change. In addition to developing anti-racist programming and identity-affirming supports for students, senior leadership needs to address bias and inequities among staff and faculty.

Now is an optimal time to assess career development processes and resources to identify possible areas for improvement. There is some debate within the profession on the need to identify and support student affairs roles that require specialist knowledge along with those that require generalist knowledge.

Senior leaders who can provide additional professional development resources can help ensure staff and administrators are adequately prepared to handle the decisions, challenges, and opportunities that come with role advancement and portfolio shifts. Despite the growing number of challenges and demands, student affairs professionals still find their work affirming. However, this may require a closer examination of how institutions can demonstrate espoused values and student affairs leaders can find balance in meaningful ways while contending with a growing portfolio of responsibilities.