NASPA Releases Research on Top Issues in Student Affairs

August 28, 2024 NASPA

WASHINGTON, DC - August 28, 2024—Findings from NASPA’s inaugural survey, 2024 NASPA Top Issues in Student Affairs, highlight the critical issues shaping how student affairs professionals support students and where they are focusing efforts in an ever-changing higher education landscape. The survey gathered perspectives from vice presidents and assistant vice presidents of student affairs as they ranked the level of importance of 50 issues across five key areas by level of importance to their institution in 2024. The key areas that issues were sorted within include Administration & Governance, Assessment & Evaluation; Health, Safety & Well-Being; Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; and Technology & Innovation. 

Student affairs leaders ranked issues related to Health, Safety, & Well-Being as very important to their institutions in 2024, with the top three being:

  1. Providing health, safety, and well-being education and training for students (83%)

  2. Increasing access to mental health services (82%)

  3. Enhancing campus-wide collaboration on health and safety (80%)

The survey reflects the input of senior leaders from a diverse range of institutions and is informed by key trends in the field. Moving forward, NASPA aims to refine this research with input from a broader panel of student affairs professionals, ensuring the survey remains relevant and comprehensive over time.

NASPA President Dr. Amelia Parnell emphasized, “This inaugural examination of top issues provides valuable insights regarding the areas that senior leaders are prioritizing. As we continue to conduct this annual survey, we will also explore distinctions across various institution types, which will help us better understand the nuances of each topic.”

The full report is now available on the NASPA website:

Read the Report

For more information, contact research-policy@naspa.org