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From Student Affairs to College President: Dr. Joshua Moon Johnson's Journey Jan 01, 2026

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On the latest episode of Student Affairs Voices from the Field, Dr. Jill Creighton sits down with Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson, the trailblazing President of Connecticut State Community College (Manchester, Middlesex, and Asnuntuck), for an inspiring conversation that's sure to resonate with higher education professionals everywhere. From Student Affairs to the Presidency Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson shares an authentic, winding journey to leadership that began much like many in student affairs: as an "overly involved" undergraduate seeking belonging. Coming from a multiracial, first-generation background, student affairs became a hub for discovery, community, and professional love—and ultimately, a lifelong calling. What's striking is Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson's deep commitment to social justice, equity, and access, themes that have been woven throughout his career—across four-year research universities and community colleges alike. Why Community Colleges Matter A central theme is the vital, often under-recognized, role of community colleges. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson highlights their generational impact: "We're not just transforming one life, but generations to come." Community colleges are bastions of second chances—for veterans, ESL learners, first-generation students, parents, and non-traditional learners. The conversation delves into how these institutions can be life-changing, especially for historically marginalized populations. Student Affairs: The Essential Connector If you've ever grappled with explaining the value of student affairs, this is the episode for you. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson argues the core value lies in fostering a sense of belonging—for both students and staff. Especially at community colleges, student affairs professionals often play generalist roles, bridging academics, crisis response, and holistic support with compassion and ingenuity. The episode explores the complexities presidents face, balancing limited resources, compliance obligations, and the profound desire to advocate for students' needs. Listeners gain rare insights into how institutional leaders make tough decisions, and how student affairs voices can drive real change. Advocacy, Research, and Representation A significant part of the episode covers Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson's research and writing around marginalized identities. His work brings visibility to queer and trans students, students of color—and pushes for actionable change in the face of societal headwinds. Why Listen? Whether you're an aspiring leader, a student affairs professional, or someone passionate about equity in education, this episode offers valuable wisdom, empathy, and actionable advice. Hear first-hand how Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson blends identity, experience, and advocacy to shape the future of higher ed. Tune in and be inspired—your student affairs journey will thank you! TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:02]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts brought to you by naspa. We curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed pros wherever you happen to be. This is season 13 on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton, she her hers your Essay Voices from the Field host here on Essay Voices. It's always such a pleasure for us to welcome anyone who's serving in a college or university president role, especially when they've come up through student affairs pathways. So today it's our Honor to welcome Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson Johnson, he or they who is a seasoned educational administrator, best selling author, social justice educator and advocate who has dedicated his career and life to education reform, LGBTQ advocacy, economic justice and racial justice. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:50]: Joshua serves as the President at Connecticut State Community College, Manchester, Middlesex and Asnuntuck. He previously served as Provost in and Vice President of Academic affairs at West Valley College, Vice President of Student Services at the College of San Mateo, Dean of Equity and Student Services at American River College, Assistant Dean and Director of the Multicultural center at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and the Director of the LGBTQ Student center and Women's center at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He's also served in adjunct faculty roles at Binghamton University, the University of Wisconsin Madison, Semester at sea, CSU Long Beach, San Diego State University, USC and Concordia University, Portland. His social justice work has led him to become a best selling author with his book Be Beyond Surviving From Religious Oppression to Queer Activism, which was also ranked as number three on Book Authority's 20 Best Selling LGBTQ Activism Books of All Time. Joshua also published Authentic Leadership, Queer People of Color in Higher Education, and Queer Trans Advocacy in the Community College. Joshua received a doctoral degree in Adult and Higher Education and LGBT Studies from Northern Illinois University, a Master's in Social Sciences focused on student affairs and Diversity from Binghamton University, a Master's in Marketing from the University of Alabama, and a Bachelor's in Business from the University of Alabama. Joshua served on the Board of Directors for the association of California Community College Administrators, or acca, and was the founding Chair of the Equity and Social Justice Committee. Joshua previously served as the VP for the Board of the Sacramento LGBT Center. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:16]: NASPA has been a special place for Joshua and he previously served as the Chair of the Multiracial Knowledge Community, a Regional Representative for the Asian Pacific Islander Knowledge Community, Member at large for the International Education Knowledge Community, and as an Editor for the Journal of College and Character, and if you'd like to learn more about Joshua you, you can find their website@joshuaMoon-Johnsonjohnson.com Joshua welcome to Essay Voices. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson [00:02:38]: So happy to be here, Jill. Thanks for having me. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:41]: It's a rare treat that we get to have a president on the show, especially a president who's come through the pathways of student affairs like your journey has taken you. And we love to always start our episodes by asking our guests, how did you get to your current seat? Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson [00:02:54]: I don't even know if I ever thought, oh, I want to be a college president or anything like that. I started out as one of those, of course, like overly involved young student affairs students who kind of never, never left. I think, you know, for me, as a first one in my family to go off to university, I was terrified. And the thing that I do when I'm terrified, I overly prepare. And part of that was doing everything I could on campus because I was so afraid I wouldn't know what to do or how to get along. And finding social spaces within student affairs clubs and employment and extracurriculars and leadership really helped me find who I was and find purpose and help other young students. And then that kind of continued. And so most of my career has been in student affairs and higher education. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson [00:03:37]: I took a one year gap and worked in fashion marketing and quickly thought, hmm, I think higher ed's for me. And I spent probably the first almost 15 years at large, mostly research one universities, and then made the pivot to community college as that aligned a little bit easier for me to do equity social justice work in the ways that were meaningful to me and with larger populations who are more likely to be at a community college than a highly selective universities. I made that pivot, I think it was about eight years ago now and have had the opportunity to do a couple of student affairs like a dean of student services and equity and then a vice president of student affairs. And then I got pulled over to the provost side and was able to kind of dig a little deeper into academic affairs and this opportunity came up where I get to lead three community college campuses in Connecticut. I'm four months in and so far it's everything I hoped it would be. So it's been exciting so far. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:04:32]: Well, that's incredible to be a new president as well, coming out from the idea space as well as from the student affairs space. Joshua, you mentioned that community college has really spoke to you and your mission in terms of the students you could serve and the impact that you could have. What's different in that community college space from that highly selective four year. That really drew you that way. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson [00:04:51]: Yeah. I mean, and I'm not sure I don't know your background, Jill, like, if you ever did anything with community college. But I did not in most ways. So my family, I'm the youngest of five kids. My dad's the white military veteran. My mom's an immigrant from South Korea. And I never really realized it, but in some way, everybody in my family engaged in community college at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on the, you know, Gulfport, Biloxi, Mississippi. My dad as a veteran coming back in the early 70s. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson [00:05:21]: My mom is an ESL student. And then each of my siblings went to community college. First for me as the youngest, I went off to a university, but I kept. Went back for summers and did community college to save money that I'd work all summer and pay off my tuition in that way too, because I was pretty much on Pell grants, scholarships, full financial aid, and trying to find ways to save money as much as possible. But I never really thought about college as a career after that. I really loved being at a university and specifically the identity development part of being in a kind of core student affairs and how they develop young folks. And that was fun for me. As I moved through kind of the traditional residence life path of ra, then hall director, then assistant director, I started to think about identity a lot more and who was included and who was not. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson [00:06:09]: So I pivoted to doing director of LGBT center, director of multicultural Center. And I think the first time I thought, like, community college could be a space for me, I was at University of California, Santa Barbara. I originally got hired as the director of the LGBT center, which they call the Resource center for Sexual and Gender Diversity. And then, you know, this was 2010 budget cuts in California. Then I got asked to be the director of the non traditional student center. I was like, what is that? It pretty much served older students, parenting students, veterans at the beginning. And these were mostly students coming to UCSB from California community colleges and starting to hear more about their struggles, their life paths, and really that community college space, giving people that opportunity for a second chance who maybe didn't have a great high school experience, didn't know how to navigate applying to universities financially was not a possibility. And seeing how those community college experiences gave them that opportunity to go to a top 10 public school like UCSB or, you know, Berkeley or Stanford, some of these schools, and I was like, wow, it really resonated with kind of this underdog cheerleader that I've always been Some reason. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson [00:07:22]: And that really spoke to me, was exciting about that. So I did, you know, one more kind of, you know, big job at University of Wisconsin Madison, where that was 50,000 students, huge. And then after that I was doing a job search and started to really prioritize trying to move into community college world. And I got to be the dean of equity programs at a large community college in Sacramento. That was most of my job, was serving populations who've been historically excluded in higher education or even when they do go to a university, they're marginalized at the university. So that was a really exciting opportunity for me to do that. It was challenging going from big four year to community college, but once I kind of figured out that rhythm, I knew it was kind of where I was meant to be. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:08:03]: You asked if I had any experience with community college, not as a professional, but as a student. I did summers at the local community college near where my family lives. And then also my father had always emphasized the importance of what he would term junior college from the era that he went to school because he did two years at junior college before transferring to the University of Washington. And he really has talked about how the junior college experience helped prepare him both academically and socially to go to that four year and be independent. And this was a couple decades ago. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson [00:08:33]: Love that. I mean, and it really is, and we often say this in the community college world, that we're not just kind of giving an opportunity to transform one person's life, we're transforming the generations to come after them. Because you do see that a lot where one parent who first in their family goes to a junior college or community college, depending on most people call it community college now, I guess. And then you see the generations that are all kind of trickling after them where maybe they don't even go to community college. Kind of similar to your path, they go straight to the university, which is fine too. I think as much as people are like community college are great, they are great. Also four year universities are great. And sometimes it's better for the student to go to those too. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:09:11]: Absolutely. And you have one of these transferable experiences where you can talk about a four year, highly selective, a four year state and a community college experience. And across all of those, when, when you think about student affairs, can you talk about the value of student affairs and how it plays out differently at each of these institution types? Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson [00:09:28]: Yeah, it was a big change for me to go from a very traditional student affairs world. Naspa I found pretty early on I was the muff generation minority undergraduate fellow program for folks who are like, what are you talking about? But I came in probably 22. I started engaging with NASPA and kind of stuck with that. That was my community, my space, the API knowledge community, the multiracial knowledge. Those were my people for 10, 15 years of my career. Very kind of student adversary stuff. And then I went to community college. And lots of our community colleges aren't engaged in professional associations like naspa. Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson [00:10:05]: And not to always critique or to blame them, it's many times a financial resource situation. So I love that ability to try to pull community college people into naspa. So all of my roles, I'm like, I'm going to find some money, I'm going to pay for the journal, I'm going to send you to the conference, something like that. And I remember going to, as a dean at, at a community college and nobody knew what I was talking about with NASPA or formalized Student Affairs. And they still call it student services in many ways. And I would say many folks in the community college world don't always have that opportunity to invest in the, the professionalization, the research, the academic discipline of student affairs and student development. And so I felt very fortunate that that was the beg…

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Happy Holidays from SA Voices From the Field Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

Dr. Jill Creighton and Dr. Christopher Lewis talk about the past season and the holidays as they prepare for a short break and then the end of Season 13.

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:02]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts brought to you by naspa. We curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed pros wherever you happen to be. This is season 13 on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton. She her hers Your essay Voices from the Field Host.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:27]: Happy end of 2025.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:28]: Chris Happy end of 2025. It's been a great 2025 thus far. I know we've got a maybe another week or so left in it. We'll see what happens over the next week. But happy holidays to you and your family and friends.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:41]: And to yours as well. I hope everyone in Michigan is doing well in the snow and staying warm. It's just a much colder climate than I've ever lived in, so I know you must have the best coats.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:52]: We do have good coats, but I will say I have been to London at New Year's and dang cold. So though you may not have the snow, you definitely have the cold weather.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:02]: Oh my gosh, I'm freezing here all the time because it's so humid even when it's really cold. But we hope that everyone is enjoying a calm holiday season with your loved ones. This year we're going to do something a little bit different with the break in the past. We've been done with our fall season, but we wanted to make sure that we are bringing you continual episodes as best we can. So instead we're gonna take the next two weeks off. So we won't drop one on Christmas Day, we won't drop one on New Year's Day, but our last two episodes will come out the following two Thursdays in January, and then we'll take our break between seasons at the end of January with hopes that we're bringing you our next season in early February.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:42]: Looking forward to coming back. We got these final episodes are really powerful ones, so I really encourage you to take a listen once they come back. It'll be a great way to start the new year.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:52]: And one of our lovely guests will be a current college president who came up through Student affairs, which I always think is a fantastic story for us to learn from and kind of hear the perspectives on higher education from various places in people's careers. The other episode coming your way is all about public policy and higher education. We know that this has been a super funky two years of policy shifts and we're going to be bringing on our incredible chair of the Public Policy division, James Tiger and Diana Ali, who works with NASPA in Public Policy Perspectives. So look forward to those two drops coming in January. In the meantime, we wish you and yours a very warm and renewing break and start to your 26. We'll see you next year.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:41]: This has been an episode of Essay Voices from the Field brought to you by naspa. This show is made possible because of you, the listeners. We continue to be so grateful that you choose to spend your time with us. If you'd like to reach the show, you can email us@savoicesaspa.org or find me on LinkedIn by searching for Dr. Jill L. Creighton. We welcome your feedback and your topic and guest suggestions always. We'd love it if you take a moment to tell a colleague about the show and leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:11]: It really does help other student affairs professionals find the show and helps us to become more visible in the larger podcasting community. This episode was produced and hosted by Dr. Jill Creighton. That's me, produced and audio engineered by Dr. Chris Lewis. Special thanks to the University of Michigan, Flint for your support as we create this project. Catch you next time.

Balancing Perspectives: The True Value of International Students in Higher Ed Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

The latest episode of "Student Affairs Voices from the Field," hosted by Dr. Jill Creighton, delves into the complex and evolving landscape of international education, featuring the perspectives and expertise of Dr. Zachariah Mathew, Senior International Officer at the University of Michigan-Flint. From the outset, listeners are treated to Dr. Zachariah Mathew's personal journey—a career that began as a physical education teacher in India, transitioned into higher education in the United States, and flourished with a research focus on international student college choice. His story reflects how diverse experiences and a global outlook can enrich student affairs and the field of higher education. One of the central themes is the motivation and decision-making process behind international students studying abroad. Dr. Zachariah Mathew identifies three drivers: economic and social mobility, the pursuit of knowledge and professional impact, and the prestige associated with international degrees. However, as global immigration policies shift and uncertainties around regulations grow, students and their families are increasingly risk-averse—reconsidering where and how they invest in their education. The conversation explores how universities often view international students through an economic lens, sometimes seeing them as "cash cows" rather than valuable contributors to campus culture. Dr. Zachariah Mathew urges institutions to define the true purpose of internationalization, moving beyond financial incentives to prioritize perspective-building, idea-sharing, and the cultivation of global competencies. The podcast offers valuable strategies for supporting international students and fostering a truly global learning environment. Best practices include intentional integration of international and domestic students, articulating clear institutional goals for internationalization, investing in well-resourced support centers, and scaffolding opportunities for cross-cultural engagement both inside and outside the classroom. Dr. Zachariah Mathew emphasizes the importance of intentionality—creating spaces where all voices are heard, identities are recognized, and learning outcomes span both academic and personal growth. This episode also examines the vital role of student affairs in transforming academic degrees into holistic educational experiences. Drawing on the philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—the conversation calls for greater collaboration between student affairs and academic departments, and for institutions to nurture students' adaptability, curiosity, and sense of belonging. If you're eager to understand the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities at the intersection of international education and student affairs, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in, and gain fresh insight from voices shaping the future of higher education. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:02]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts brought to you by naspa. We curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed pros wherever you happen to be. This is season 13 on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton. She her hers your essay Voices from the Field host. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:27]: Zachariah welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:00:30]: Jill thank you very much for having me. It's truly an honor and that you consider me worthy of this opportunity. So thank you very much for having me. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:37]: We're looking forward to learning more about your expertise in the international education space. And you have an incredible journey that has brought you to your current seat in international education, weaving through different parts of higher education administration and also through the world. So we'd love to know if you could tell us, how did you get to your current seat? Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:00:55]: Absolutely. It's in the process started somewhere. Today I'm here. God knows where I'll be tomorrow. So I started off as a physical education teacher in India, teaching at some prestigious institutions in Bangalore. And when I started my career I realized that I wanted to do more. And that also meant that I had to kind of not be where I was, but go up so that I can be in a decision making place. And at some point, almost seven years into my teaching career, I realized that I did not know enough to do any of these things. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:01:28]: So I decided to pursue my higher education in sports science and sports management. And this was in India at the time, sports was not an advanced field of study. So I chose to come to the United States. I did my master's in sports management. And the experience as an international student, it was the first time I really looked back into cultural vibrance or cultural competency or global competency. Because while we in India we spoke five or six languages and nobody cared. Everybody does. We eat all kinds of foods and we understood other cultures. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:02:04]: So you never thought about it. But it's only when I came to us I really realized the dynamics of those cultural diversity and perspective. But it was within me. I was thinking about it. I was very active as an international student. I was not a traditional student. I was almost 26 years old when I came here. This is about 25 years ago. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:02:20]: And that was kind of bubbling in me. I was very engaged with faculty, administrators, seniors to gain their perspective and also very engaged with the student affairs because I was doing my master's in sports management. And then I started working for State University of New York at small community college within that space. And in 2009 I decided to quit my job, go back to school to do my PhD in higher education leadership and Administration at Indiana State University from where I already had my Master's and I specialized in international student affairs there. So my dissertation was on international students college choice. While I was there, while I started, the position position opened up as one of the international student advisor position or the engagement specialist position. It was an associate director position and I was fortunate to have that position. So it started off as engaging the students and looking at it through the student development theories and to see how we can develop the student and bring a holistic education into the student. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:03:21]: You know, not just international students, but broadly all how to provide the domestic students this perspective. And that started in 2011, 2025. I'm here at the University of Michigan Flint as the Director and Senior International Officer. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:36]: That's quite a journey. And I love hearing people's student affairs and higher education journeys as they weave through different parts of education. As we've talked about many times on this show, no one grows up saying I want to be a student affairs professional. And so taking that skill set that you built in sports management, sports science and translating it into an international education career is a really great representation I of how we get into this field and move through it. Zachariah, you mentioned that you have experiences looking at international student choice through research. And I know that research is a little bit older now, but can you tell us what we knew then about international student choice in terms of where they're going to school and what that looks like presently? Because we know that that has shifted a little bit. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:04:17]: So the students choose to study abroad primarily for under three different categories. That is a college choice. So where they go is comes after why they choose to study abro abroad or stay at home. So one aspect is and most every decision has some element of all the three, but predominantly one is economic decision or social mobility. So they make this decision for social mobility or economic prosperity. So it is a one time investment. Students really take this opportunity to invest in quality education so that not only them but the coming generation can have better economic prosperity and social mobility, which is really correlated. And then there is the psychometric which is about having this opportunity to gain the knowledge and to have higher impact within the field of what they do. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:05:05]: And the third one is social. Social is also to aspect is to be able to say where they go and the social prestige that comes with it. So it could be a country it could be a university within the country and it goes on. So these are the major areas and where they go depends on a combination of all these three. So for example, if somebody can afford to go to a private university in the US where there is quality education, they might choose if they have the capacity to withstand the academic rigor and can pay for it. Whereas if somebody does not have the capacity to pay, they might not choose us, but might choose a country where the education is not as expensive as it is in the US So it is a balancing of all these three that really comes in and says, okay, this is where we are going to go. So one might choose United States States, but they might choose a university that might not be expensive because it is an economic decision that they're making because they do not have the capacity to invest where there might be other situation where it's fully funded. So a student who is looking at it through the social aspect could say, you know what, I'm going to go to the prestigious university where I can get accepted into because I don't have to worry about the pay. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:06:16]: And also then the, I mean this is not to say that the academic focus does not come into play. The students also look at the academics and the university's capacity to deliver those curriculum and the proficiency of the faculty. So it's a combination of different factors and it is very dynamic. What has changed today with uncertainties in the immigration regulations and its interpretation, students are hesitant to take the risk. So something very important that we need to recognize is if you really look at the large number of international students here in the United States, most of them are from high context cultures where there is uncertainty avoidance. They are willing to take a decision if they are certain about the consequence. But they are hesitant to take a decision when there is not much of certainty in what is going to happen tomorrow. So that is impacting the students decision to choose United States as a destination for now. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:07:11]: And in all this we need to recognize that this is a one time investment for the students. And it's also important to recognize that these international students are buying this commodity called education, which according to World Trade Organization, higher education is a tradable commodity. They are buying this purely based on perception. They have never used it before. They talk to people around, they talk to officials, they go on YouTube, they go on Facebook, they look at pamphlets and buy the most significant influential commodity in their life, investing pretty much everything that they have. So it is a significant decision that they make. And they try their best not to take chance. So students risk aversion and parents and families as well because this is a major investment. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:08:01]: Kind of not willing to take that chance at this point because of the uncertainty. I mean, the interpretation is changing. We hear something today and tomorrow. It's like, sorry, that's not true. Something else has come up and that is not helping us at all. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:08:13]: It's a tough situation, especially for English speaking countries that are receiving international students because we've enjoyed some global privilege on being quite popular destinations historically. But both the United States and the United Kingdom have put down some pretty stringent requirements for international student entry that really haven't been present in the past. And we also know that a lot of American and British universities are heavily reliant on international student tuition dollars in order to make certain budgetary decisions, work and continue to offer certain student services and things like that. So it's an interesting place to be. So with all of that said, Zachariah, what are you seeing inside of our international education crystal ball about what we're looking down the pike gap for the next several years of international ed, knowing that these regulations are changing and that affordability is changing. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:09:05]: Affordability, yes. It's a big question. That is an important thing. But I think at the national level it is important that nations define the purpose of international education. What the motivation is, is it just purely economic or is it about perspective building and bringing the brilliant minds together and sharing those perspectives and ideas and culture? We can look at different countries. Canada opened up their doors many years ago, but they did not have the infrastructure so they had to slow down about a decade ago. Australia did that because of the money. In the US it is a $43 billion industry. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:09:40]: These money that the international students bring, that's a lot of money. So there might be motivations for the universities and institutions of higher education to bring more and more international students, but they do not ask the question if they have the capacity. And very often some of the universities don't even define why they want the international students on their campus. They're seen as cash cows. I'm sorry, they are seen as cash cows. Supplementing the loss of revenue from other sides to it comes in the demographic cliff. We all talk about the demographic cliff and that there are not enough students to go to the US Universities and these universities were built on GI Bill. And then the other part that nobody talks about is the big question is, you know, is this investment worth it? This is a big question that people all around it was in the US but now globally they're asking, is this high investment worth the returns? Does the higher education have the value that it says it has? It all comes down to roi. Dr. Zachariah Mathew [00:10:35]: You know, I do not have a crystal ball, but I think it is very important that institutions of higher education define its purpose. And this is something that I'll talk a little more about. This is we need to define what the difference between an academic degree and an education is and what common good are we serving. So unless and until we define that, I think it would be very difficult for us to really bring a big picture on what the landscape is going to look like. And again, it is also changing dynamically. I did not know what AI was 18 months ago in the way I never thought I would use AI. But today I'm so much into it. I mean we are talking about in person classes, then it became virtual and now we are talking about meta varsity. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:11:20]: Let's go back to what you said about the purpose of why we're bringing international students to our college campuses. And I think you made a really poignant statement when you said that universities are looking at the dollars but…

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The Unique Value of Community Colleges in Student Affairs Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

Student Affairs professionals often serve as the heartbeat of a college campus, shaping transformative experiences for students at every stage of their educational journey. In the latest episode of Student Affairs Voices from the Field, host Dr. Jill Creighton is joined by Colleen Maeder, Director of Student Services at Miracosta College's San Elijo campus. Together, they deliver an insightful discussion on the unique value of student affairs—especially within community colleges. This episode masterfully details Colleen Maeder's multifaceted career spanning both two-year and four-year institutions, public and private, on both coasts. Dr. Jill Creighton highlights how Colleen's trajectory allows her to offer a "bird's eye view" of why student affairs work truly matters. One major theme centers on the personalized and community-focused approach at community colleges. Colleen Maeder emphasizes that student affairs at these institutions must deeply reflect the local community's needs—whether serving traditional-aged students, adult learners stepping back into education, seniors, or those facing significant basic needs challenges such as food or housing insecurity. "Everything we do should be a reflection of the community that we are in," she explains, illustrating the importance of adaptability and empathy. Another critical topic is the evolving role of technology, specifically Artificial Intelligence. Both Colleen Maeder and Dr. Jill Creighton recognize AI's double-edged potential: while it evokes new concerns about academic integrity, it also offers opportunities for innovation in supporting and reaching students. Despite challenges, the human element of care and personal connection remains irreplaceable. Building trust and fostering belonging remains at the core. Many community college students have faced systems that let them down, making it vital for student affairs professionals to be truly present. Colleen Maeder discusses the imperative for in-person support, consistent follow-through, and programming tailored to diverse populations and needs. The episode also addresses a persistent challenge: effectively communicating the value of student affairs. Too often, student affairs professionals are "really, really bad at this," Colleen admits. She calls for improved storytelling—sharing real, transformative moments and personalized successes—to enhance understanding both within and outside higher education. If you're searching for inspiration, practical insights, and a celebration of the deeply human work at the heart of student affairs, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to hear firsthand stories and advice from passionate professionals who are shaping the future of higher education—one student at a time. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:02]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts brought to you by naspa. We curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed pros wherever you happen to be. This is season 13 on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton. She her hers your Essay Voices from the Field host. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:27]: Today on SA Voices, we're welcoming Colleen Maeder. Colleen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Lemoyne College and a Master of Science in Community Counseling from Syracuse University. Her journey in higher education began as a resident Director at Binghamton University and the College of New Jersey. She later discovered her passion for community colleges while serving in the conduct office at Kingsborough Community College in New York City. Colleen transitioned to the private sector at New York University, where she advanced to Associate Director for Student Conduct and Restorative programs, focusing on Title IX conflict resolution and restorative practices. Her career then took her to the west coast where she served as Associate Director for Student Wellbeing at Santa Clara University, supporting non clinical mental health and basic needs. Today, Colleen is the Director of Student Services at Miracosta College's San Elijo campus and Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Her portfolio includes student life and leadership, student government conduct, Title IX behavioral intervention, and basic needs support. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:19]: Outside of work, Colleen enjoys yoga, running, hiking, and traveling with her partner. Colleen, welcome to Essay Voices. Colleen Maeder [00:01:26]: Thank you so much for having me today, Jill. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:28]: It is just such a pleasure to have you on the show. For our Essay Voices listeners. I used to host a different podcast for another professional association, and Colleen was our audio engineer and co producer on that show. She and I pretty much had no idea what we were doing when we started it, and by the time we were finished, we had produced 45 episodes. That was an oral history of that corner of the profession. And so it's really lovely to be reunited with you in podcast land. Colleen Maeder [00:01:51]: I am thrilled to be here and I can't believe we did. So you said 45 episodes? Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:54]: Something like that? Yeah, about 45. Colleen Maeder [00:01:56]: That is an insane amount of episodes. But it was an awesome experience to do and learn something I never tried before. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:01]: And even though Colleen has spent so many hours behind the scenes doing editing, this is her first time in front of the mic. So we're glad to have your voice included in the story of the student affairs profession. And we always like to get to know our guests first by asking you, how did you get to your current seat? Colleen Maeder [00:02:17]: Absolutely. So I think I started as mosted where I was a resident assistant in undergrad for my junior and senior year and didn't quite know what I wanted to do. So I decided to go to grad school, which was the common thing back then. And I got my master's in counseling and was unlucky to graduate right in 08 during the crash that took place and decided to work in res life because that's what I knew, that's what I liked, that's where I felt at home. So I became a residence director at Binghamton University. I had the experience of overseeing a residence hall that was a break housing building. So it was open all year, it never shut down. And the main students that it held were international students and student athletes. Colleen Maeder [00:02:58]: So very unique combination of students there to manage in a residence hall and living together in suites. From there I went to the College of New Jersey, which is a public school, four year school in New Jersey, of course, where I was a resident instructor for several different buildings there. Absolutely loved it and had a phenomenal experience working with our Office of Student Conduct and was really able to start with the assistant director at the time, Elizabeth Gallus Mediation Program, and just kind of fell in love with that world, fell in love with student and how do we become educational? How do we resolve conflict without getting to student conduct? And from there that led me to my first experience outside of residential life, which was at Kingsborough Community College where I was a student conduct officer. Really unique, normal title, Student conduct officer. You don't hear that a lot. And it was this community college in Brooklyn. The claim to fame that I used to tell people was we had a beach on campus, loved it there, did a lot of work, really, really enjoyed the community college experience, which we'll get back to where I am right now. But from there I switched and went to nyu, so New York University, right in the heart of New York, and worked in their student conduct office where I met you. Colleen Maeder [00:04:09]: I mean, we started the podcast and really was there all the way through Covid 2021. Loved the experience and I was in the student conduct office, but I focused heavily in the world of Title nine. I did a lot of work with our Office of Equal Opportunity, oversaw hearings, started a conflict resolution process, did a lot of conflict resolution training. So a very unique position in the world of student conduct that I haven't seen many other place. Loved NYU but really wanted to get out of New York City after Covid. So in 2021 I had the opportunity to work at Santa Clara University, which is up in the Bay Area south of San Francisco as the Associate Director for Student Wellbeing in the Dean of Students office. And it was non clinical mental health. Absolutely. Colleen Maeder [00:04:51]: Loved it. It was a bucket list item for me to work at a Jesuit school. Cause I went to a Jesuit undergrad and I was lucky enough to meet my partner in the Bay Area who was transferred down to San Diego, which is how I got to Miracosta. Currently the Director of Student Services at our San Leo campus and I'm also a deputy Title IX coordinator here. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:05:10]: One of the things I love about your experience is that I think you're one of the few in the profession that have transitioned from a two year institution to a four year institution, to a two year to a four year and back to a two year. And you've also worked at both public and private institutions. So you've got this incredible diversity of experience in student affairs, which gives you kind of a bird's eye view in a unique way of why student affairs matters and why it has mattered over time. So this season we're focusing on the value of student affairs and I'm wondering if we can hone in a bit on your community college experience. And can you talk to us about what you can say about the community college experience as a professional compared to your experiences at four years? Colleen Maeder [00:05:51]: Absolutely. And I have been lucky enough to work at two different community college experiences. In some way they are very, very similar in the sense that student affairs at a community college needs to actually represent the community where you are. So my college is located in North County, San Diego right now. Kingsborough Community College was located in Brooklyn. Everything we do should be a reflection of the community that we in. So who are the students that we're serving? What are their needs? What are we worried about? How do we help them be able to come to our campus, get to our campus, be able to take classes, whether it's online, hybrid or in person. What does that look like? What does the student experience look like? When I was at Kingsborough, this was pre Covid, right after Hurricane Sandy. Colleen Maeder [00:06:36]: That's going to look very different than a post Covid world. But we are really trying to what are the current needs to what our community is? And what do we think the current needs are going to be 5, 10, 15 years from now? And what do we need to do as student affairs to make sure that we are meeting not just the needs of our current students, but planning for the future because we should grow with our community. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:06:57]: Having a beach on campus sounds really interesting until you realize there's a hurricane coming right at Your campus and the water level of your campus is right on that beach. Colleen Maeder [00:07:04]: I started directly afterwards. We had a nice. There was a lot of flooding. I was told after that experience. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:07:10]: Absolutely. So when you think about your current student population, can you tell us who they are? Your university or your college has multiple campuses. So who are the students that attend Miracosta and what are the needs that you're meeting as a community college student affairs squad that maybe you're seeing the four years not doing? Colleen Maeder [00:07:27]: Yes. So I will say Miracosta is a proud hsi. I'm very cautious saying that on a podcast right now, given the current political context. But we are a very proud hsi. We really want to make sure that we are serving all of our students. So we have anything from. We have the traditional student age population. We have adult students who are making the difficult choice to say, you know what, I'm going to step back from maybe my employment to go to school to better myself, to be able to then get a better job, to support my family. Colleen Maeder [00:07:56]: We are working with students who. We have a large population of seniors who come back and take classes. We have a high level of basic needs and food insecurity that we are helping with our students at. We have a black and Latinx population that we are supporting and wanting to continue to grow and nurture all of these populations because they are what makes up North County San Diego, and we are here to support them in having our students reach their dreams and succeed in whatever avenue they want, whether it is an associate's degree, an associate's degree to transfer. We do have a bachelor's program on campus. We have many certificate programs through our tci, which is our certificate location. So really finding the. What is it? What do we need to do to be able to support our students in whatever their goal is? And that's gonna look different depending on the student population, depending on the time of year, and depending on what their go. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:08:48]: With such diverse student needs, with ranges of populations from students that are earning their first degrees right out of high school to those adult learners that you've mentioned, how does a student affairs division organize itself to meet needs on such an individualized level while still kind of stratifying across administration like we know we have to. Colleen Maeder [00:09:06]: Absolutely. So I think some of it is just open lines of communication. It's not being afraid to pick up the phone and ask questions or say to a student, you know what? I'm not the person to help you, but I'm gonna connect you with this person in this office, and I'm gonna do that one handoff. Whether they're currently on my campus, walking them to that class, walking them to that office, whether it's sending that E introduction. I think it's also in terms of future planning, which Miracosta does this really, really well, is what does the future look like? What are kind of the signals that are going on outside of higher education that we need to pay attention to? How do we continue to support and what does that look like? How are we using our benefits? I think there's a lot of negative viewpoints right now on AI and how that's going to impact the workforce. But is there a way that we can utilize AI to better reach our students, to provide supplemental education, to be able to get them answers or help them through a process where we know higher education is complex? How do we make it less complex and easier for someone to understand, especially if they are first generation or returning to education and they've been gone for two decades, three decades? So what are we doing right now to make it easier for our students? And this is something where our division, we are across multiple campuses. We get together the senior leadership in our division once a month to be able to talk about some of these things. And I haven't always seen that on other places I've worked at. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:10:32]: You mentioned AI as a potential tool. I'm currently teaching a master's class on technology competencies and AI integration and student affairs. How are you all figuring that out on your campus? Colleen Maeder [00:10:43]: So I think the key word…

Full show notes at the publisher

Why Student Affairs Matters: Unpacking College Value and Worth Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

If you've ever wondered about the real impact of student affairs in higher education—or if you're searching for compelling ways to articulate its value—this episode of "Student Affairs Voices from the Field" is a must-listen. Host Dr. Jill Creighton brings together three leading voices in our field—Dr. Anna Gonzalez, Dr. Lori Reesor, and Dr. Michele Murray—to discuss NASPA's groundbreaking report, The Human Dimension of College: Why Student Affairs Matters. More than ever, higher education is under scrutiny. Public questions about its worth, declining college-going rates, and increasing skepticism about return-on-investment are creating intense pressure. Against this backdrop, Dr. Anna Gonzalez explains, this report began as a "bold" effort to clarify—and elevate—the unique contributions of student affairs to both the value (market-based outcomes) and worth (intrinsic and societal benefits) of the collegiate experience. The conversation quickly gets to the heart of what makes student affairs essential. As Dr. Michele Murray points out, college isn't just about earning a degree or improving one's economic prospects; it's a profound period of personal and civic development. The panel identifies seven core dimensions where student affairs "animates" both the value and worth of higher education: career and academic development, civic engagement, access, health and well-being, leadership, innovation, and personal growth. Listeners will appreciate how candidly Dr. Lori Reesor and Dr. Michele Murray share their own personal journeys and the collaborative process behind the report. They emphasize the vital but often "invisible" work of student affairs—preventing crises, fostering dialogue, and guiding students through transformative moments. They also celebrate the report's new toolkit, which is designed to help professionals tell their story better to external audiences—presidents, trustees, legislators, families, and beyond. As the discussion closes, the call to action is clear: the time has come to showcase our impact on students and society, both quantitatively and through powerful stories. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, this episode offers insights, practical tools, and inspiration to help you articulate why student affairs is more valuable—and more vital—than ever. Ready to dive deeper? Listen to the full episode and access the toolkit via NASPA's website—start telling the story of student affairs in a whole new way! TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:02]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts brought to you by naspa. We curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed pros wherever you happen to be. This is season 13 on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton. She her hers your essay Voices from the Field host today on Essay Voices. We are thrilled to be welcoming the curator and CO authors of NASPA's latest report, the Human Dimension of College why Student Affairs Matters, which is perfect for our season on the value of Student Affairs. We've got three phenomenal student affairs professionals joining us today. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:45]: Our past board chair and curator of this report, Dr. Ana Gonzalez. Welcome, Ana. Hello. Dr. Michele Murray [00:00:52]: Hi. Dr. Michele Murray [00:00:52]: Hi Jill. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:53]: Lovely to have you back on Essay Voices. And if Ana's voice sounds familiar, she did one of our episodes in her board chair year. So you can go back to past seasons and check that out. Our second guest is Dr. Lori Reesers. Lori, hello. Dr. Lori Reesor [00:01:04]: Hi Jill. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:05]: Good morning and welcome. Coming in to us from Wisconsin today And then finally Dr. Michelle Murray. Dr. Anna Gonzalez [00:01:11]: Michelle, hello. Dr. Michele Murray [00:01:12]: Hi Jill. Thank you so much for having us. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:14]: And Michelle, one of our good old region fivers. So we've got people from all over, all over the US today. So I want to get started by asking you all how you got to your current seats and then we'll dig into the reports. Ana, I know you've told some of your story before on our pod. You're still at WashU. Anything you want to add to your journey? Dr. Anna Gonzalez [00:01:34]: Yes, thanks, Jill. I'm still the Vice Chancellor for Student affairs at Washu. And now the last time I spoke to this podcast, I was actually the NASPA Board chair. I am now on my last year as a NASA board, as the board chair, pass board chair, recent passport chair. So I think that's all that's changed. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:51]: And Lori, it's your first time here on SA Voices. You were at UW Madison. What you have going on in terms of your journey and how you got to that seat. Dr. Lori Reesor [00:01:59]: Yeah, thanks, Jill. It's great to be on and my first podcast. So a little nervous but a little excited. I have spent almost my whole career in student affairs. This is my third ssao job and it was a way to continue doing the work as a student affairs leader, but also come back home to my home state of Wisconsin. So it's a win win for me and my family and just excited to be doing the work. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:20]: And in our pre show chat I mentioned my mom is an alum of UW Madison, as well as all of her siblings and her dad. So I have to say, go bad on behalf of my fam. Dr. Lori Reesor [00:02:29]: Go badgers. Love it. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:30]: And Michelle, welcome to our show for your very first time. We're excited to have you former region fiverr. Now region one person, tell us how you got to your current seat. Dr. Michele Murray [00:02:40]: Yeah, sure. So I'm at the College of the Holy Cross here in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it's my third Jesuit institution. My second time as the senior student affairs officer. But also at Holy Cross, I serve as the senior mission officer as well. So staying very busy and we like. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:57]: To see that VPSA em in combination. I think you get a much more unique perspective on the whole arc of the student experience when you're going from recruitment to graduation. Dr. Michele Murray [00:03:07]: Sorry, you know what? It's not admission, it's mission. So. So the Jesuit Catholic mission and identity of the institution. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:15]: Excellent. Well, we're here today because you all have put out the latest NASPA report. And Ana, this began as a charge under your board chairship. Can you talk to us about why this report? Why what drove the board in this direction to create this. Dr. Anna Gonzalez [00:03:31]: That's great. So when I got elected as board chair elect, I've been really. I was really thinking, where are we going in terms of as a student affairs as a profession? It was a time when people were saying they wanted to leave the profession. How hard it was a little past Covid and really thinking of the value of student affairs and why student affairs and why higher education. The numbers were shocking in terms of people not wanting to go to higher education, not believing in our. And then in many ways student affairs over the years being blamed or being shut down, but yet being needed when times of COVID or other disasters were happening. And so it was really trying to get the lay of the land to really respond and frankly to look up bold ideas about why student affairs is actually the value proposition in higher education and why I believe we bring worth to the institution of higher education. But is that right? Is that just my voice? And so getting really a group of experts in the field and then being led and tapping Michelle and Lori to lead that discussion has been like an honor for me. Dr. Anna Gonzalez [00:04:42]: And I just love how the report ended up to be. But it was really that response in my head thinking, what is the worth of higher education? And as a first generation college student, I always knew the worth. But it seems like so many people are questioning it now. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:04:55]: Absolutely. And we're seeing a shift in how the value of higher education is being perceived across The US Right now in terms of what does the value of that education mean for everything from employability through positionality in society and other things. So this is very, very timely for what we're seeing. How did you select Lori and Michelle to be leading the charge forward? Dr. Anna Gonzalez [00:05:20]: They are brilliant. So I've known both of them in different capacities, met them both through naspa. Lori, during my first time as a senior student affairs officer, she actually invited me to be on a panel at a session. And then Michelle, she started kind of taking on different leadership roles, and so. And then culminating when she was the conference chair. I was always like, she's so cool. Both of them are so great and cool. Both of them also represent different regions, right? The east coast, the Midwest, large R1, and then a private Jesuit institution. Dr. Anna Gonzalez [00:05:55]: And so all of the things mattered to me. And so I wanted brilliant leadership and then different experiences in the field. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:06:02]: You started with a blank slate and idea to represent the value proposition of student affairs. What was the charge to Laurie and Michelle when you invited them to participate in this new adventure? Dr. Anna Gonzalez [00:06:12]: It was so funny because I come up with great ideas, and then I did get brilliant people to actually make it happen. And they did. But the charge was to think boldly, to really center the conversation in our contributions in this profession and in the world. Why does someone choose to go to higher education? Everyone gets a degree when you go to higher ed, or you hope to. But what are the unique things that actually enhance it? What increases the value of that education? And so I kept saying, it's student affairs, centering student affairs into dialogue, into discussion. And we've had some fun conversations. They were like, oh, this is going to be a little bold, a little scary. I'm not sure our other colleagues would believe it. Dr. Anna Gonzalez [00:06:56]: And so just kind of pushing that through. And they both said yes. And so I love that. And. And they both led the conversation in terms of making sure that the right kind of individuals, in terms of who they represented, really fit in the group. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:07:10]: All right, Lori and Michelle, you get the call from Ana. She says, please help us build this thing. Tell us what your experience was putting together the task force, as well as figuring out what the heck you were going to write about beyond this idea. Dr. Lori Reesor [00:07:23]: I'm happy to start. First of all, I'm a huge fan girl of both Ana and Michelle, so you can't say no to Ana Gonzalez. I think everybody knows that. And in all true confession and transparency, I didn't get her vision. I knew she had it, but I wasn't sure like, just like she said, like, what are we doing? Like, I get the concept, I get the. But, like, how are we going to do this? And I'm a little bit more on the operational kind of strength. I think of things. And so I think that's just a lesson to, honestly, to NASA members is sometimes you get asked and you're like, okay, I'm in. Dr. Lori Reesor [00:07:56]: I don't really. I don't think this is my strength. I really didn't. But then when she partnered us with me and Michelle, which was like, oh, my gosh, again, everybody knows Michelle Murray and the, you know, the savior of the NASPA conference and all these other things, I mean, it was just like, no. Yes, it's true. It's true. She's shaking her head. Anyway, it was just an honor and privilege and then to work with really amazing people, too. Dr. Lori Reesor [00:08:19]: Right. So that was the other gift, is that the three of us then got to put together our team. We wanted to really make sure that all regions were represented. Represented. It represented all types of institutions. And so then that made it really, really rich as well. And so I described us as kind of a think tank. And that was, again, really an honor and privilege. Dr. Lori Reesor [00:08:38]: And I think Ana might have been desperate in. In picking me to do this, but that's okay. It was fun. It was fun. It was good. It was a good stretch for me. It was a good stretch for me. Dr. Anna Gonzalez [00:08:46]: I'm going to interrupt to say the funny part is that I forgot to say why I picked Lori. She talked about Michelle's great, amazing, the conference, saving us and sharing that despite all Lori's strength is Lori asks questions. And so she always makes me think, like, we sit on other different boards and committees. And I love that Lori thinks things through and asks questions. She doesn't just say, this is how it's going to be. So that is why. Dr. Lori Reesor [00:09:13]: That's so sweet, Ana. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:09:14]: So my. Dr. Lori Reesor [00:09:15]: One of my NASA awards, I have a plaque over in my office says, ask the hard questions. And so thank you. Thank you for that. That's so sweet. Dr. Michele Murray [00:09:22]: I absolutely see that. And I think, Laurie, you and I were very different, but we work together so well, and I love that you do ask questions. You're also really methodical about how we go about things, and that helped us make sure that no stone was left unturned. And really attending to all the different intricacies that were a part of the discussions that we had, and you made sure that. That we accomplished our goals. Right. It just was really helpful, I think. Jill, your question was what happened when we got the call. Dr. Michele Murray [00:10:00]: So let me go back to that and say, yeah, I was surprised. Lori is 100% right. No one says no to Ana. So I knew that wasn't even an option. And I absolutely understood. I thought Ana was prescient in being able to identify that there's a public concern about whether or not it's worth it to go to college and what's happening at our at higher ed institutions. And I already had a concern for myself that were some populations of young people being discouraged from college attendance. And so having this opportunity to really dig in and describe what it is that happens for students when they pursue a degree was, I think, really very meaningful to me. Dr. Michele Murray [00:10:48]: And so, as Ana said, right. People attend a class college because they're hoping to get a degree. They work hard to earn that degree, and that's one piece of it. There needs to be of economic benefit in terms of employability at the end. And I get that too. And there is something that's happening during college attendance that's really about an informed citizenry, that's really about how people work and live together that is less talked about and less known. But still, as a society, we rely on all of that. We rely on that human development. Dr. Michele Murray [00:11:26]: So having an opportunity to think boldly with a group of colleagues about how might we represent this, this side of college attendance that isn't really talked about very much, how do we represent it fairly and in a way that people understand it and can get on the train and believe in its importance? I thought that was a really great vision that Ana had and I'm really feel really lucky to have been a part of it. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:11:54]: I want to make sure we menti…

Full show notes at the publisher

Enjoy The Short Break! Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

Season 13 of "Student Affairs Voices from the Field," hosted by Dr. Jill Creighton, shines a spotlight on the value of student affairs through engaging stories from both fresh perspectives and seasoned experts. In the recent Thanksgiving break episode, Dr. Jill Creighton and Dr. Christopher Lewis reflect on the whirlwind pace of the academic year and extend heartfelt wishes for rest and rejuvenation to their listeners. They express gratitude for the incredible guests featured so far and tease upcoming episodes with compelling new voices that will continue to explore the impact of student affairs work.

A main theme of this episode is the importance of reflection and self-care, especially as the term comes to a close and the holiday season approaches. Dr. Jill Creighton also highlights the complexity of Thanksgiving, encouraging listeners to learn more about indigenous communities through resources like Native-Land.ca. This thoughtful acknowledgment underscores the podcast's commitment to inclusivity and deeper understanding within student affairs.

Whether you're looking for inspiration or practical wisdom for your work in higher ed, this podcast delivers accessible, relevant professional development. Tune in to be part of a community that values learning, reflection, and authentic storytelling. Share "Student Affairs Voices from the Field" with colleagues and dive into the conversations shaping the future of our field!

TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:27]: Happy Thanksgiving, Chris.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:28]: Happy Thanksgiving, Jill.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:29]: It's always catches up with me this time of year that we're already at this time of year.

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:33]: I know it really, it sneaks up on you and I am never prepared for it. And then you realize right after this, there's only a few weeks left before the end of a term and only a month left until the end of the year. It's crazy.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:47]: Well, this year we've had such tremendous guests in the first three quarters of our season. When we come back from our break this week, we'll have a couple of episodes, including some folks that we're just really excited to bring you their stories. And then we'll be back in January. But traditionally we take this week off from releasing the podcast. We hope that all of you who are based in the US Are enjoying some rest this weekend and getting to spend some time with family. We also like to take a moment to acknowledge that Thanksgiving is a complicated holiday for a lot of people. And because of that complexity, we want to remind you that if you're interested in learning more about the indigenous communities that originally were caretakers of the land where you live and work, that there's a really great website resource for that, which is Native Dash land Ca and this is a website where you can input your address or your city where you work or live, and you can see what indigenous people used to have caretaking for the land that you're currently living on the map has expanded a lot over the years and it used to just look at the US And Canada. Now we're seeing that they've covered information for all of South America and Central America, Australia, New Zealand, parts of East Asia, parts of Russia, parts of Northern Europe.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:01]: So it's become a really great and robust resource and we encourage you to check that out. Chris, is there anything else that we want to add as we head into the break?

Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:02:09]: Just wishing everyone the best as we move into this holiday season. You know, take some time for yourself, rest, reflect and be able to prepare yourself for a brand new year because it's coming sooner than later.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:22]: Take good care everyone. Safe travels.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:29]: This has been an episode of Essay Voices from the Field brought to you by naspa. This show is made possible because of you, the listeners. We continue to be so grateful that you choose to spend your time with us. If you'd like to reach the show, you can email us at savoices@naspa.org or find me on LinkedIn by searching for Dr. Jill L. Creighton. We welcome your feedback and your topic and guest suggestions always. We'd love it if you take a moment to tell a colleague about the show and leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you're listening now.

Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:59]: It really does help other student affairs professionals find the show and helps us to become more visible in the larger podcast casting community. This episode was produced and hosted by Dr. Jill Creighton. That's me, produced and audio engineered by Dr. Chris Lewis. Special thanks to the University of Michigan, Flint for your support as we create this project. Catch you next time.

Navigating the Enrollment Cliff: Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Today Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

On the latest episode of Student Affairs Voices from the Field, host Dr. Jill Creighton explores the intersection of enrollment management and student affairs with special guest Dr. Christopher Tremblay, Executive Director of Enrollment Management at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. If you're curious about the challenges and changes facing higher education, this episode offers a timely and thought-provoking conversation. Facing the Enrollment Cliff The "enrollment cliff"—a predicted decline of about 15% in college-bound students—is front and center in this discussion. Dr. Tremblay walks listeners through the domino effect: declining birth rates and economic factors have shrunk the pool of future college students, and institutions are strategizing how best to adapt. He points out that while enrollment management always relied on advance notice through birth rate data, today, the challenge is more acute. Colleges are shifting focus from just increasing headcount to more nuanced "revenue management." Not every student brings the same tuition dollars, so institutions must balance both enrollment and financial sustainability. The episode also acknowledges the hard truth—some colleges may face mergers or closures as the cliff approaches. The Looming Impact of International Policies The enrollment pressures are compounded by changes to visa policies and regulations, making it tougher for international students to study in the U.S. Dr. Tremblay warns of a "double whammy" for colleges: fewer domestic students and fewer international enrollees, as restrictions force many to defer or pursue education elsewhere. Other countries, like Canada and Germany, are stepping in to woo these students, signaling a shift in the global education market. The Crucial Role of Retention & Student Support But it's not all gloom—the episode celebrates advances in student success and retention. Investing in support systems, academic advising, and holistic onboarding not only helps students persist but is often more cost-effective for colleges. Dr. Tremblay describes the value of a "high tech, high touch" approach and advocates for ongoing, personalized support through a student's first year and beyond. He even dreams of a four-person support team for each student, recognizing the complexity of academic, financial, and career decisions. Why Listen? If you're a higher ed professional, parent, or student wondering what lies ahead, this episode delivers valuable perspectives. It underscores the essential partnership between enrollment management and student affairs, and calls for more collaboration in service of student success. Tune in to hear how institutions are navigating uncertain times—and why student affairs remain critical to transforming lives. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:02]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts brought to you by naspa. We curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed pros wherever you happen to be. This is season 13 on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton. She her hers your Essay Voices from the Field host Today on Essay Voices from the Field, we're heading to the enrollment management side of The House with Dr. Christopher W. Tremblay. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:33]: He brings three decades of leadership in higher education enrollment management. Currently serving as Executive Director of Enrollment Management at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. He also serves as Director of ACRO Strategic Enrollment Management, or SEM Endorsement Program. Tremblay earned both his bachelor's and Master's degrees from Western Michigan University. He has a post Master's Certificate in Enrollment Management from Capella University and a Doctor of Education in Education from the University of Michigan, Dearborn. Tremblay is the co founder and co editor of the Journal of College Access and has served as Editor in Chief of College and University Journal since 2020. He's a scholar and researcher of Walt Disney, teaching the only college course on the life of Walt Disney called Walt's Pilgrimage. Christopher welcome to SA Voices and today we're going to be speaking to you. Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:01:19]: Thank you. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:19]: Great to be here about the enrollment management side of the house and all the things that are going on in acro. But before we go there, we always like to get to know our guests by asking you, how did you get your current seat? Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:01:31]: Wow, that's a long journey. But I will give you the abbreviated version. I actually am grateful that my career in higher education I'm now in my 32nd year and it started because I was an undergraduate orientation student leader. So I feel like it was the impact of student affairs that changed my life and brought me to this profession. So my first job in college was at Western Michigan University as an admissions counselor, actually before I even graduated from college, which was an incredible opportunity. And then I got hooked and I just loved admissions. I loved higher education. And then throughout my career I have done college admissions, I've done financial aid, I've done orientation, and have been doing enrollment management, gosh, for probably over a decade now. Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:02:16]: And I've been at the University of Michigan Talbon's College of Architecture and Urban Planning for five years now. But just prior to that I also worked in College Access within the State of Michigan at the Michigan College Access Network. And I have a huge passion for college access, especially as a first time. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:32]: Sitting at one of the university universities that's largest in the U.S. i think you'll be in a great position to be able to speak to what you're seeing in terms of changes. One of the things that we've been talking about in student affairs, and I'm sure more so in enrollment management for about the last 10 years, is this pending enrollment cliff that has been coming towards us. We knew that birth rates in the United States had declined in the Great Recession that happened in 2007. For those of you who were in the profession at that time, it was a bit of a squeeze for everybody from a budgetary perspective. But we also saw massive impacts around housing crises in the country, food insecurity and some other things. And that greatly impacted people's family planning choices. And now we're in a position in higher education where there's, I believe it's a 15% drop off of potential enrollees in universities. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:20]: So I would love to start there. Christopher, if you can talk a little bit about how enrollment managers are planning for this, how colleges and universities should be bracing for this and, and what that means for our profession. Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:03:33]: I guess the blessing of our work is that we always have advance notice because of the birth rate of how many people we think will be ready and eligible to enter college. And so we do have that lead time, but it is definitely a challenging time. While we're still trying to increase the percentage of high school graduates going to college so that we can increase college attainment rates, we know that the starting pool is much smaller and will get smaller for the next. I mean, basically indefinitely from the data that we're seeing from Wiche in terms of high school projections. So it's definitely putting a lot of pressure on colleges and universities. And I would say really enrollment management is shifting to be more about revenue management. And this is where it gets very delicate because cost is one of the primary barriers for students and families as the cost of higher education has increased and there's been less investment at the federal and state level. And so therefore the cost burden is being passed on to the students. Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:04:29]: So really our job is to really articulate the value of higher education and showcase its benefits both financially as well as personally and professionally, and that the workforce needs higher skill levels for those who are graduating from high school. And certainly, I think all of us who are in higher education are proponents of. There are many pathways to post secondary education and some of that might include pursuit of what we would have deemed work in the trades. But like for example in Michigan, that training for the trades predominantly is offered at our community colleges and that is going to college. And so part of it's also shifting the mentality still that college is an option for everybody and that there are multiple pathways to pursuing. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:05:13]: I think that's an interesting credential framing that you've mentioned that enrollment management is shifting to more revenue management. Can you talk more about what that means to the profession? Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:05:23]: Historically, as I always experienced the work in enrollment management, it was always about headcount and the number of bodies that you enrolled and the number of students. And I think there's more of a movement and has been for a number of years of counting, you know, headcount equivalent. So in other words, not every student is enrolled full time. Some students might be dual degree and so their revenue may be split. And so really using projections that showcase both enrollment but also tuition revenue. Because at the end of the day also not every student brings in the same amount of revenue because you have different tuition rates, you have different lengths of degrees. For example, in my particular college, we have degrees that are four year undergraduate degrees, we have two year master's degree, we have three semester post master certificates. And so really looking at as we set our enrollment targets, how does that translate into the revenue that's being generated? I also feel like colleges related to enrollment management and this enrollment cliff is that I think we are working very hard to protect our existing infrastructure and the educational experience, to protect the quality of the experience. Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:06:34]: And it's like, well, how do you do that when you have less expected revenue? And so I, I think a part of enrollment management is also helping institutions find alternate sources of revenue to alleviate some of that pressure. So whether that be offering some pre college programs or some non credit bearing options that allow you to still offer all of your academic offerings at the highest level in terms of the experiences you want to offer students. Because we don't want to sacrifice that, even though we might have a shrinking size of class. I think that many colleges in the country are going to be faced with some very tough decisions because we all can't win in this race, if you will. So I think that we're going to see many more mergers and or closures unfortunately just because there won't be enough students to fill every degree, every class in the country. So I think we are already starting to see that. I think many of us don't want to see that. But the reality is if there's not students because of the declining birth rate. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:07:34]: And this is expected to last 15 to 16 years, I believe is the current data set. So it's going to be a change in the way that we have to function, especially in student affairs. I've worked at several institutions where the student affairs model was largely based on student fees for certain parts of organizational structure. And with less students, there are simply less student fees, which means that there are less opportunities to potentially use that resource in a way that benefits students. So it's an interesting thing to think about. Right now. It seems to be more of an intellectual exercise, but I think very soon it will be a reality in our budget lines. Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:08:15]: Absolutely. I think we've already seen, unfortunately, with layoffs by some of the largest and most prestigious universities in the country because they're recognizing that the dollars just aren't there to be able to do that. And so there is going to be, I think, a shift in the types of services and resources that are provided. I think everybody wants to be very conscientious and careful about that because we still have a lot of support that we need to provide to students. They just don't show up and are perfectly experienced. Our system. Right. There's stumbles along the way, there's support that's needed. Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:08:47]: And so I think my hope in this as we talk about the work of student affairs is that that is not sacrificed or doesn't get to be so slim that, you know, it becomes non existent. Because I think it's still going to be just as important tomorrow as it. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:09:01]: Is today as it was yesterday with the uncertainty of the future of international students in the US and we've got an interesting time ahead of us in higher education from an admissions perspective. Christopher, can, can you talk to us about what those changes are and how you're seeing some of these things that are proposed by the current administration impacting your ability to recruit international students? Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:09:23]: I think what we're seeing happening in D.C. is devastating to higher education and it's basically eliminating opportunities for international students to study in the United States. And I think it's a huge brain drain for us because we're going to see the impact of this for decades because if we're not enrolling these students, we're certainly not going to be graduating them and adding them to the workforce, whether it be in the US or if they go back to their own country or go elsewhere. So those changes obviously have been restrictions on visas. The pause on visas this past summer definitely hurt us because it caused delays. We ended up deferring many students to next year in hopes that they can still get a visa, but there's no guarantee. The new social media screening has added complexity to that and has changed students behaviors and made them much more conscientious about what they can and should be posting on social media and in what channels. So I think all of that is affecting it. Dr. Christopher Tremblay [00:10:21]: I think the other regulations regarding you have to get your visa in your home country so you can no longer travel to another country to get that. It is devastating for some students because our international students have been very entrepreneurial and resourceful and determined to get a visa. And so they have flown to other countries and other embassies to try to get that work done and now that option won't be there. And so I think it's unfortunate because it's just barrier after barrier being put in front and we are just going to continue to see a decline in international students. And unfortunately there's not the domestic population that can immediately or fully replace their seats and their enrollments. And so I think it's definitely caused strain and commotion in higher education that we didn't, I think, fully expect to see coming. And so I think that in addition to the enrollment cliff, this is now a double whammy…

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Global Perspectives: The Impact and Value of Student Affairs Around the World Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of Student Affairs Voices from the Field, host Dr. Jill Creighton brings together members of the third cohort of the Global Master's Students Program, a unique partnership between NASPA, the European University College Association (EucA), and Lumsa University in Rome. This special episode showcases graduate students from around the world—including the Philippines, Belgium, Italy, Namibia, China, the Netherlands, Germany, Trinidad & Tobago, and South Africa—sharing their varied experiences, perspectives, and hopes for the student affairs profession. Thank you to Lida Ricci, Julia Jaque, Joseph "Joel" Parcon, Luca Corona, Vency Mupupa, Raghavendra Reddy Manda and Leah Punch for sharing their voices today. Central Themes: Heart, Transformation, and Collaboration At its core, the conversation orbits around the powerful value student affairs brings to higher education globally. Joseph "Joel" Parcon emphasizes "values formation"—the role of student affairs in nurturing not just academic talent but shaping students as positive agents for societal change. Julia Jaque and Leah Punch echo this sentiment, describing student affairs as "the heart of the student experience," fostering belonging and personal growth beyond classroom walls. The theme of transformation comes alive through Raghavendra Reddy Manda, who poignantly describes student affairs as "the soul of the higher education system"—a journey where students find purpose and learn to make an impact. Vency Mupupa adds that key values like diversity, respect, integrity, and care reflect a commitment to inclusive, supportive campus environments. But visibility remains a challenge for the field. Many panelists note that student affairs is often misunderstood or underappreciated. Luca Corona and Leah Punch advocate for "joyful testimony" and storytelling, letting students themselves express how involvement in campus life, community, and extracurricular activities enriches their university journey. Collaboration—between student affairs, academic affairs, administration, and students themselves—is seen as crucial to raising awareness of the broad impact and importance of the profession. Diverse Pathways, Unified Purpose Panelists also share their personal motivations for studying student affairs: from accidentally stumbling into the field to intentionally pursuing it as a vocation. Each story reveals a commitment to supporting students, fostering development, and elevating the human aspect of academia. Why Listen? If you're curious about the future of student affairs—how the profession is viewed and evolving across continents—this episode will resonate. Hear firsthand how practitioners are meeting challenges and opportunities in vastly different cultural and educational contexts. The candid reflections and shared wisdom from emerging leaders across four continents are sure to inspire anyone invested in student success and campus well-being. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode for a truly global perspective on why student affairs matters—and how its impact ripples far beyond campus boundaries. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:02]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts brought to you by naspa. We curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed pros wherever you happen to be. This is season 13 on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton. She her hers your essay Voices from the Field host. Welcome back to our next episode of Student Affairs Voices from the Field. We have a very special episode today where we're going to be talking to our current Global Master's Students cohort. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:37]: This is our third cohort of global Master's students and this is a collaboration project. This course is in collaboration with NASPA and EucA, which is the EucA University College Association, and also Lumsa University, which is a university in Rome, Italy. We have students today spanning the entire globe, many, many different time zones, all earning their master's degrees in student affairs, and I'm thrilled to bring them to the podcast today. So our first student is Joel. Joel, please tell us where you're joining us from, what university you're at. Joseph "Joel" Parcon [00:01:09]: So, I'm Joel. I'm from the Philippines. I am the Vice Chair for Student affairs in the University of Asia and the Pacific. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:16]: Welcome. Joseph "Joel" Parcon [00:01:17]: Glad to be here. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:17]: Our next student is Julia. Julia Jaque [00:01:19]: Hello, I'm Julia. I'm project Coordinator at European University College association in Belgium. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:26]: And welcome. Julia, glad to have you here. Luca, you're our next student. Luca Corona [00:01:30]: Yeah. My name is Luca Coroa and I'm a Catholic priest from Rome and I worked for 15 years in institutional affairs as the director of the residence of Collegio Marzza. But now I am professor of Theology at the Catholic University in Rome and I continue to give my contribution to serious affairs. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:52]: Thank you for joining us, Luka. I'm glad to have such a diversity of perspectives amongst the three we've introduced so far. We've got four more to go. Our next student is Venzi. Vency Mupupa [00:02:01]: Good afternoon. My name is Vensi Mpupa. I am originally from Namibia. I worked previously at the University of the Free State in student affairs for 10 years, and then I moved to the University of Diukunshan in China, where I was also working in the Residence Life office and I'm currently based in Namibia, working for Safland Property Services as an executive assistant. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:26]: Welcome. And next we have Raghavendra. Raghavendra Reddy Manda [00:02:29]: Hello, My name is Raghavendra reddymanda. I'm a PhD candidate in entomology at Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands, where my research focuses on sustainable pest management in greenhouse horticulture. I also serve as the communication Officer of Wageningen Doctoral Council and the chair of Career committee at a national graduate school working to enhance doctoral well being and career development. In future, I aspire to build a hybrid career which combines my passion for scientific research with leadership in student affairs and higher education administration. Leah Punch [00:03:04]: Good day everyone. I'm Leah Punch. I'm from Trinidad and Tobago. Currently I work in Bremen, Germany at Constructor University. There I work as a residential life manager, mainly responsible for incidents and emergency response. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:20]: Next up, we have Lida. Julia Jaque [00:03:22]: Hi, I'm Lida and I'm responsible for educational and cultural activities at the University College of Merit in Rome where I've been working for the past couple of years. I've always been passionate about the academic world, which led me to pursue a master's program focused on higher education and student affairs. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:45]: So because there are so many of us today, I'm going to be asking us just two questions focused on our theme on the value of student affairs. And I'd love to hear all of your perspectives, especially because we're so global. Our first question is when you think about the value of student affairs, what comes to mind first and why? And we'll have you go in the order you introduced yourselves. Joseph "Joel" Parcon [00:04:05]: Okay. So when I think of the value of student affairs, particularly in the University of Asia in the Pacific, we're actually, we are given the. The hallmark of values formation. So it's important for us as the center for student affairs to be able to provide opportunities for students to be able to add value to their student life so that they don't just learn on the academic side, but they also learn outside of the classroom and they graduate to become positive agents of change in service to society. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:04:37]: Thank you, Joel. In the Philippines, it's interesting to hear that you've got set expectations in that way a little bit more national and standard than what we see in other parts of the world. Joseph "Joel" Parcon [00:04:46]: Yeah. In particular with, especially in the uanp, there are three centers that are actually given all of these different things that they need to focus on. So we are the ones on values formation. There's another unit that's in charge of research and development and another for people development as well. So we are the ones who really are supposed to be the other side of the coin of the academic affairs. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:05:08]: Julia, go ahead and jump on in. Julia Jaque [00:05:10]: I guess for me it's literally the. Leah Punch [00:05:12]: Heart of the students experience. Right. Because the student affairs help students to. Julia Jaque [00:05:17]: Understand who they are and who they. Vency Mupupa [00:05:20]: Want to be and also to connect. Julia Jaque [00:05:22]: With others and to have this feeling of belonging with the community. Leah Punch [00:05:26]: So I guess is the center of the experience of being student. Luca Corona [00:05:31]: For me, the value of student affairs is very important in helping students think about their lives in a broader sense, not just within the specifics of university. I think that the risk of young people is over. Specializing in university students first helps them think more comprehensively. Also for example, with community not alone, I think. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:05:58]: Fancy, you're next. Vency Mupupa [00:05:59]: Good afternoon again. When I think of the values I spent almost 10 years at the University of the Free State, so I'm going to be referencing the University of the Free State a lot in this podcast of ours. So when I think of the values of student affairs at the University of the Free State, I think of diversity, I think of respect, I I think of integrity, I think of care, and I also think of learning. These values reflect UFS commitment to creating an environment where every student feels included and supported. Thank you. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:06:32]: And just for clarity, while Vency is currently in Namibia, the University of the Free State is in South Africa. So she has experience in multiple parts of the continent. Raghavendra Reddy Manda [00:06:42]: Ready here. When I think about the value of student affairs, the first word that comes to my mind is transformation. Student affairs transformed the education from a system of courses and grades into the human journey of growth, belonging and also purpose. So it's where the students tend to discover who they are, what they care about and how they can make a difference in the world. So for me, student affairs is not just a department or a profession. It's the soul of higher education system, which often reminds us that education is not only about learning facts, but about becoming a wholesome person. Leah Punch [00:07:18]: When I think about student affairs or the student affairs profession, what comes to mind is probably us as student affairs professionals helping or creating a space for students to have the ability to create and learn and grow beyond the classroom. I think part of my role is also helping students or equip students with building like soft skills, equipping them with things that they might need later on in life. So equipping them with like soft skills that would be able to help them in their next job or their next just as citizens or part of society. Julia Jaque [00:07:53]: I'm lida and when I think of values in student affairs, few fundamental principles immediately come to mind. And at the core is deep commitment to placing students at the heart of all decisions, programs and services. So has active collaborators in shaping their educational journey. This means listening to their voice, honoring their lived experiences and co creating environments where they can thrive. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:08:27]: I really enjoy learning about all of our student affairs collective perspectives, because we're sitting on four separate continents today and really kind of honing in on what the value of the profession is. And we're all trying to work together to help students succeed, to help them thrive in the environment and ultimately change the way that our universities operate to make them the best possible for students. And it's great to hear that that alignment exists across the globe right now. Which leads me to my next question, which is, what do you think student affairs needs to do to be better understood and better seen in today's educational environment and particularly in the country that you live and work in? Joseph "Joel" Parcon [00:09:07]: Joel, here, that's a tough question to answer. Student Affairs. I think that it's very important for student affairs professionals to, I guess, or at the very least, to take the initiative and extend the arm and try and collaborate more with the academic affairs units of the university. Well, with the entire university that we are working in, especially in the university I'm working for. Yes, they know about the center for Student affairs, but they don't quite know what it is, the breadth of what we do. A lot of people and even students think that student affairs is all about discipline. Not a lot of them think that cultural affairs is part of student Affairs. Before our sports development was also part of student Affairs. Joseph "Joel" Parcon [00:09:49]: There isn't that much awareness about the breadth of what student affairs, the center for Student affairs, actually does in our university. And I've been talking with other student affairs practitioners from across the Philippines as well in some of the conferences that I've attended, and they have similar situations that, okay, it's something that the academic affairs unit can't do. Throw it to Student Affairs. They'll do it for you. Events management. Throw it to Student Affairs. And I think that it's just a more intentional way of making people aware of what we do in student affairs more than just them having that vague idea of what it is that we actually do. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:10:24]: And I think that's a valid response in itself. Right? Knowing that we need to be more visible in our higher education spaces, that we need to be more visible with our university partners, whether they be in other parts of the administration, with the students, or with our faculty colleagues, but not knowing what to do to activate. It's a very reasonable response because I think it's a question that we've been asking ourselves as a profession for a very long time. Luca Corona [00:10:48]: This is Luca for me. Students affairs needs to be better understood through the valuable testimony of those who work here, work there in the student affairs, I think the testimony of students who have experienced that university is not just about classes, but also about community life, volunteering, music and other activities. I think we need the joyful testimony of students who have lived this holistic experience in university to share with the peers and also with the general public and the other stakeholders of the university. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:11:34]: I like that framing of joyful testimony. We can tell that you come from the spiritual side of the house for students, but you kn…

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The Next Act: Exploring New Pathways in Higher Education Careers Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

If you're looking for fresh perspectives on careers in student affairs—and a truly honest conversation about the journey ahead—don't miss the latest episode of Student Affairs Voices from the Field. In this episode, host Dr. Jill Creighton sits down with Dr. Amy Hecht, Vice President for Student Affairs at Florida State University and co-editor of the new NASPA book, The Next Act: Realigning Your Mindset, Purpose, and Career. The central theme of the conversation is the evolving nature of careers in student affairs, especially as professionals face mid-career questions and disruptions in life. Dr. Amy Hecht shares her own journey, returning to her alma mater after years spent at various institutions, and reflects on the unique challenges and opportunities this brings. She emphasizes how being away for decades allowed her to maintain objectivity and openness to making necessary changes—rather than being "married to" her undergraduate experience. The podcast dives into the origins and vision for The Next Act book. As Dr. Amy Hecht explains, the project emerged during the COVID era, spurred by widespread burnout and the "Great Resignation." The book fills a major gap in the literature: it doesn't simply celebrate student affairs. Instead, it highlights realistic, sometimes raw conversations about burnout, career shifts, and redefining success. In her words, "There isn't one true path... It's an ebb and flow of a career over time and ways in which we find fulfillment." You'll hear about chapters spotlighting professionals who've moved into K-12 education, consulting, the faculty route, or transitioned into other sectors within or outside higher education. Stories from people like Karen Warren Coleman, who found new fulfillment in K-12 school leadership, and Jeanna Mastrodicasa's pivot within her institution, show just how many ways student affairs expertise translates beyond traditional upward mobility. Another powerful element highlighted is the Deck of Disruptors, adapted from Bruce Filer, which visually maps all the life events—both positive and negative—that can throw established plans off course. The episode makes it clear: disruptions are normal, and reevaluating career goals is healthy and essential. Finally, the conversation underscores the enduring value of student affairs: building community, supporting students through crises, and adapting to meet institutional goals. Dr. Amy Hecht urges professionals to articulate impact in data-driven and narrative ways, showing how student affairs shapes retention, graduation, and life outcomes. If you're contemplating your next steps, seeking inspiration, or just want to hear authentic voices in higher education leadership, tune in to this enlightening episode. It's a must-listen for anyone in student affairs considering what purpose, fulfillment, and possibilities look like in a changing world. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:02]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts brought to you by naspa. We curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed pros wherever you happen to be. This is season 13 on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton. She her hers your Essay Voices from the Field host Today on Essay Voices, we are going to be talking about the book the Next Realigning your mindset, purpose, and career. This was a book published by NASPA in March of 2025, co edited by Jason B. Pina and Amy Hecht and Associates. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:42]: Our guest today is Dr. Amy Hecht, who has served as Vice President for Student affairs at Florida State University since 2017 and is a nationally recognized leader in higher ed with extensive experience shaping student success, campus life, and institutional strategy. Prior to returning to her alma mater, Dr. Hecht served as Vice President for Student affairs at the College of New Jersey, or tcnj, and held positions at Auburn University, Temple University, Cabrini College, and the University of Pennsylvania at Florida State. Dr. Hecht has established FSU as a national example for excellence in fraternity and sorority life, expanded on campus housing, and created new programs and services designed to advance student success. She's provided steady leadership through numerous campus crises and has also overseen initiatives such as the Lift Recovery Program, Health Campus 2030, and the launch of the DC Study Away Program. Her leadership has driven 150% increase in philanthropic giving to student affairs, reflecting her ability to align fundraising with transformational student impact. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:39]: Dr. Hecht's accomplishments have been recognized nationally with NASPA's Pillar of the Profession Award and the Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding performance as a VPSA. Beyond her administrative leadership, Dr. Hecht is a respected thought leader and author. She's co edited two books and is frequently invited to contribute to national dialogues on student success, leadership development, and the future of higher ed. Her next book, Telling Time Management of Women in Senior Student Affairs Roles, which she co authored, will be available in 2026. Dr. Hecht earned her Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Florida State University and her master's and doctorate in Higher Ed Administration from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:14]: Hope you enjoy our conversation. Amy, welcome to SA Voices. Dr. Amy Hecht [00:02:19]: Thank you. It's great to be here. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:20]: We always love featuring our pillars of the profession here on the NASPA podcast, and you've been around NASPA for quite a long time, contributing positively to the profession, to the organization, and most recently as an author, which is what we're going to be primarily talking to you about today. But before we get into the book the Next act, which is co edited by Dr. Jason Pina, who's up at NYU and we also would love to start by asking you how you got to your current seat at Florida State. Dr. Amy Hecht [00:02:47]: Wow. So I started out like many people in student affairs because I was a very involved student at fsu. I, I am an alum and so it is a rare gift to go back to your alma mater. I was very involved and that is kind of my exposure to student affairs. Never thought I would come back to Florida. I actually wanted to be in the Northeast. Went to the University of Pennsylvania for my master's one year program. Got out and Pennsylvania has so many schools, was able to really spend quite a bit of time there. Dr. Amy Hecht [00:03:21]: As I moved up and got to work with vice presidents and dean of students, I realized I loved the administration side. I loved the organizational development and realized I had to go back and get my doctorate. My GRE scores were going to expire and thought I'll go back and I'll go real slow because I wasn't sure I wanted to be back yet. In the classroom and the process, I really enjoyed it. I kind of fell in love with the concept of organizational learning and got a call to go to Auburn University from a mentor and was there for four years and he kind of said, okay, now you've been an avp, you're ready to be a V. I did not think I was really loved that AVP role, but became the Vice president at the College of New Jersey right outside of Philadelphia and became region director of Region 2 of the College of New Jersey. Loved being there, but did get a call from the search firm about Florida State. And early on in my career I tried to kind of get back to the state of Florida. Dr. Amy Hecht [00:04:21]: It's where my family's from. Never worked out and was very flattered that I was nominated for FSU and said, oh, I'll just send them my resume, see what they think. Sure, there's way more qualified people. But I did get an airport interview and then fell in love with the people and the rest is history. So coming back, I've been, I had been gone, you know, over 20 years, so it is interesting. I know some of the history and some of the traditions and how important student life and the student experience is, but also worked many other places. So I kind of have the best of both worlds. I'm an insider, but haven't necessarily been brought up here and have only seen one thing. Dr. Amy Hecht [00:05:01]: I've seen a lot of other institutions and how they operate. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:05:04]: I think that's always so interesting to go back to your alma mater. We have stories where people loved working on both ends of that as a student and as a full time administrator and other people who said that it really changed their perspective on their alma mater and not necessarily in the way that they wanted it to. So can you tell us a little bit more about creating some sense between the things you loved as an undergraduate student and the things that you're working towards improving as an administrator? Dr. Amy Hecht [00:05:28]: I do think that's really interesting because now you kind of. Now this is how the sausage is made. And as a student, and I was not the SGA president, I didn't fill any of those roles. So I really didn't see some of the upper work happening at Florida State when I was a student. The state of Florida has a really great program called Bright Futures. So if you have a certain GPA and SAT score, you get 75% of your tuition paid. So for my family it was, this is choose one of the state schools in Florida and you're going there. Even though I had dreams of, I don't know, going to New York or Hawaii, but financially I was here, I do think it's challenging Florida State and maybe this is the same for all of the state schools in Florida. Dr. Amy Hecht [00:06:08]: We get a tremendous amount of financial support from the state. They've been very generous and that comes with a lot of oversight. Other states that I've worked in have not had the level of oversight involvement of their state legislature. And I think that has been very difficult. But I do think me being gone as long as I have been and coming back, I am not as mirrored towards my experience has to be the experience of all of our future students. There are things that have changed and some that haven't since I had been gone. So I think that has helped me not kind of taint my own undergraduate experience once you see how it works. And there had. Dr. Amy Hecht [00:06:49]: There were decisions made by administration when I was a student that now I'm thinking I'm paying for some of those decisions now, or we're trying to fix a decision that was made, you know, 20 something years ago. But for me it has, it hasn't been a problem, but I could see how, how it could be. But I do think that the length of time I was gone really helped because so much time has passed and I don't have a great memory of that long ago to really remember a lot of my undergrad experience for some reason. So I do think I'm able to make changes and not be kind of too married to any of the things that I experienced as a student. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:07:25]: Amy, we really want to dig into the book today, the Next act, which is one of NASPA's newest publications. It just came at an annual conference about five, six months ago. It's really filling a gap in the literature that we haven't seen before. So it was an exciting thing to see a book that really had some honesty in it around. Careers in Student affairs had more to it than the positive side of the profession. It had lots of realistic and truthful conversations in it from the people that wrote the essays. Lots of wonderful and familiar names in the author list as well. But you and Dr. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:07:58]: Pina had put this together. Can you talk about the vision for the book? What inspired you both to take a moment to put this into the space in the literature? Dr. Amy Hecht [00:08:07]: Right now, I have to give my good friend Dr. Pina Credit. He came to me during COVID during the Great Resignation and all the challenges we experienced, and said, I think there's something here about what are people doing? What has been the effect of COVID And then as we were writing it, Covid kind of passed and, you know, we got back into In Person and it evolved to what it. What it became as the Next act, which I think for me personally, it was a really fulfilling project because I have always been someone who is focused on a goal. What is next? Someday I want to be a vice president of student affairs. Someday I want to do this. And getting my current position as the VP of Student affairs at Florida State is, in my opinion, one of the best jobs in student affairs in the country. Maybe others feel the same. Dr. Amy Hecht [00:09:01]: And it was, well, what is next? And what if I don't want to do this work? What if I get too burnt out? So much has happened and so much has changed in the almost 30 years I've been in the profession. It is not at all what I thought it was, nor. Or is it the same as somebody who was a VP in 2001? A very different field, very different challenges, and it's all I've known as a career. It's all, you know, Jason is known as well, and it is what would be next? What could I do with all this experience, all this education and. Or am I trapped, personally, am I trapped in my current role or only in this job? And you're not, and not even if you're a vice president. But what do we do with these higher education degrees, these student affairs experiences. What if I want to get out of the fields? And what would that look like? And we, we kind of joked, I don't know if NASA is really going to want us to publish this book. That might be encouraging folks to look elsewhere. Dr. Amy Hecht [00:10:05]: I have found it gave me a sense of security in read, reading the book and all of the fabulous authors journeys and it gave me a sense of peace of actually no, I'm making a choice to continue to be where I am. But if I wanted to find a new path or do something different, I have so many options that aren't necessarily just moving up in student affairs and becoming an AVP or a dean of students. There is a lot more we can do at these degrees that maybe aren't always put front and center or it's not how we entered thinking that was going to be our next goal. But there's still very fulfilling ways in which you can still contribute, use the skills you've obtained, the degrees that you've obtained. And I think there's a certain amount of freedom that that has given me and others who realize there isn't one true path. It's not always up and to the right. You know, you're not always just moving straight up and down. It's an ebb and flow of a, of a career over time and ways in which we find fulfillment. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:11:07]: One of the points made early on in the book is that, you know, millennials are coming into the vice presidencies now. Most millennials are in their early 40s at this point in time, which means there's 25 working years left in a career, which is more career left than has already been in the rear view. And that's a lot of time in a seat. It's a lot of time to think about, am I the right person for this seat for that long period of time? Is that the best thing for this institution? It's an interesting question to ask. We also have perspectives from presidents who have come through student affairs in the book. I think you just made that great point that the career trajectory doesn't always have to be quote, u…

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Navigating Financial Aid Changes: Insights from NASFAA's Melanie Storey Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

If you work in higher education or care about college access and affordability, "Student Affairs Voices from the Field" continues to be a must-listen. In this season's fifth episode, host Dr. Jill Creighton welcomes Melanie Storey, President and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), to demystify the changing landscape of student financial aid and its deep ties to student affairs. The episode dives headfirst into the rapid-fire changes shaping higher education funding today. Melanie, bringing decades of experience from policy implementation at the U.S. Department of Education and leadership roles throughout Washington, D.C., articulates how student financial aid has evolved. From its beginnings with the Higher Education Act and the emergence of need-based aid, she describes the ongoing tension between supporting students with the greatest financial need and responding to broader shifts in public opinion about the value of higher education. A major theme in the conversation is the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OB3), which is making waves with its broad changes to loan programs, repayment plans, and institutional accountability. Melanie clarifies complex topics like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), repayment clarity, and the introduction of earnings measures for universities. She urges student affairs professionals to recognize the uncertainty this creates for students—not just in their financial planning but in their emotional well-being and sense of security while pursuing degrees. For families embarking on their college journey, Melanie recommends making the most of resources like StudentAid.gov and financial aid estimators, emphasizing that fit—academic, social, and financial—matters more than chasing prestigious institutions. She also unpacks new programs like Workforce Pell, which expands grant eligibility to short-term vocational programs, opening new avenues for career-focused students. Throughout, Melanie champions student affairs professionals as the human heart of higher education. Whether helping students navigate anxiety about finances or bridging connections with financial aid offices, she sees these campus leaders as vital advocates and problem-solvers. If you're looking for practical insights, clarity on policy changes, and a dose of optimism in "interesting" times, this episode will deepen your understanding. Tune in to hear about the evolving relationship between student affairs and financial aid—and be reminded why student affairs matters more than ever in helping students thrive. Listen to "Student Affairs Voices from the Field: Melanie Storey" now and join the conversation shaping the future of higher education! TRANSCRIPT Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:02]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts brought to you by naspa. We curate free and accessible professional development for higher ed pros wherever you happen to be. This is season 13 on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton. She her hers your Essay Voices from the Field host Today on Essay Voices, it's our privilege to welcome Melanie Storey, who is the President and CEO of nasfa, which is the national association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. She began her tenure on May 1st of 2025. With decades of experience in federal higher education policy, financial aid operations and organizational leadership, Story brings deep expertise and a steadfast commitment to advancing access and equity in higher education. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:52]: Storey most recently served as Director of Policy Implementation and oversight at the U.S. of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid, or FSA, where she led cross functional teams in translating federal policy into practice. She played a central role in implementing the FAFSA Simplification act and the Future act, and contributed to major initiatives like federal student loan debt relief. She frequently represented FSAA before congressional staff, administration officials, and higher education leaders. Before joining the department, Story led policy and strategy work at the College Board and served as Director of National Initiatives at the American Council on Education, where she supported national commissions, analyzed legislative proposals, and led public service campaigns. Earlier in her career, she was a policy analyst at the national association of Independent Colleges and Universities, or naicu, conducting research and collaborating with government relations staff on federal policy proposals impacting private institutions. A proud first generation college graduate and financial aid recipient, Saray earned a Master's degree in Public affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School at the University of Texas at Austin and holds a bachelor degree in Economics and Public Policy seat from Smith College. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:03]: Melanie welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field. Melanie Storey [00:02:06]: Thank you, thank you. Hey Jill, it's great to be with y' all today. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:08]: I always love doing crossovers with other higher ed professional associations because we all occupy the same industry but very different lanes within the industry, almost like many verticals. So it's great to talk to a subject matter expertise in in an area that deeply affects the student affairs profession. But most of us definitely are not. Melanie Storey [00:02:25]: Experts on yeah, no, I really appreciate it and I think more than ever in the current environment it is so important that we we be talk about the things that we're facing within our own lanes, but across our lanes because it is really a pretty transformational time that we're dealing with right now. I keep saying that I welcome to live in less interesting times, but I don't think that that's going to happen anytime soon. So I really welcome the opportunity to spend some time together, talk about student affairs and financial aid. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:52]: The meme that I keep seeing is, you know, I'm tired of unprecedented times. I'd rather go back to precedented times. And I think a lot, you know. Melanie Storey [00:03:00]: Whatever the Confucius may, you live in interesting times. I'm like, no, thank you. I'm have a NASA thumb. Thanks. I'm good. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:06]: We could use some boring around here. That'd be fine. Melanie Storey [00:03:07]: I'll take it. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:03:08]: But Melanie, you've been with NASA now just for a hair over a year, I believe, and came to NASA from the U.S. department of Education. But we like to get to know our guests more specifically by asking, how did you get to your current seat, if you wouldn't mind sharing the journey? Melanie Storey [00:03:22]: Yeah, so it might feel like a hair over a year, but it's really only been about five months. I started in late spring at NASA, took some time off from my time at the department. I took a little cleanser time before jumping in. So I have always been what I will say, say is financial aid adjacent. I guess I haven't worked in a financial aid office in my career, but I started even in undergrad, really focused on education policy. I was really interested in policy from the very start. And when I finished my undergrad, I moved to Washington, as many young, eager people do with, you know, kind of like a suitcase and a very light checkbook and hope for the best. I kind of fell into higher education policy. Melanie Storey [00:04:01]: You know, I think a lot of policy programs tend to focus on K12, and that was kind of true for me early on. And then my first job was with a contractor on the Pell Grant, Right. Fundamental grant to support low income students. And I kind of, it opened my eyes to higher education policy and access and affordability. And I'm a first generation college student. And it was really like, well, yeah, duh, this is, this is important. Like this really makes really important change in people's lives. And so it kind of started there. Melanie Storey [00:04:30]: I've been in Washington almost the entirety since then. I've worked for various associations that represent college and university presidents, the College Board, and then as you mentioned, the U.S. department of Education. So I've always been fully committed to affordability and access and making sure that the doors of higher education are open to all those that seek it. And so when the NASPA position opened, it really is a dream job. For me, I mean, it is leading a group of incredibly dedicated professionals who share the principles and goals that I have built my entire career around. And so I'm thrilled to be in the job. It is definitely a challenging time, but I'm fully committed and proud to be the voice of those who are committed to the students that they serve. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:05:10]: And NASFA for our listeners, if you're new to this particular acronym, is the national association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. So a sister cousin organization to us here at naspa. Melanie Storey [00:05:22]: And oftentimes you use naspa, nasfa. You have to be very diction has to be really good to make sure you're not confusing us. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:05:28]: There's also nafsa, which is the students abroad. Melanie Storey [00:05:32]: You know, we joke about the Alphabet soup. It's real. But yes. Yeah, NASA, student financial aid administrators. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:05:37]: And just because I'm originally from the Seattle metro area, I do want to clarify. Melanie's in Washington D.C. that's important. Melanie Storey [00:05:43]: That is the bubble you've identified that we, when you're here too long, you just, you make these assumptions. Yes. I have largely lived in Washington D.C. for most of my career. I did spend a few years in Austin doing some graduate work. Washington D.C. which quite frankly Washington State and Seattle sound much better these days. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:06:01]: Melanie, you have seen the arc of student financial aid, student affordability change drastically over the course of your career. Can you talk us through a bit of kind of what that rainbow has looked like from what the mission looked like when you started versus kind of what the daily work looks like now? Melanie Storey [00:06:18]: Yeah, I mean that's a really, it's an interesting question. Right, like what that ARC looks like just to like sort of level set, right. Like financial aid and the sort of art and science. And I like to talk about it a little bit as both sometimes the art and science of financial aid really came to pass with the Higher Education Act. So the Higher Education act of course is what really codified some of the core financial aid programs. Loans, preexisted basic education grants, but Pell grants, federal student loans, the kind of things we know about today. So that means it's about 60 years old. So not that old in relation to some of the other things, but pretty well established. Melanie Storey [00:06:54]: And I think what we're kind of facing now is you kind of have the stor norm kind of things that happen. And I think that's a little bit of what you see in the arc. I think in the early days you saw this really kind of visceral commitment to need based aid and the primacy of need based aid. And just for clarity, need based aid is directing funds to the students who need the funds in order to access post secondary education. So the counterbalance to that would be merit so that, you know, scholarships and aid that is awarded based on a student's achievement in any number of areas. But I think in the federal programs you saw a real commitment and dedication to the focus on need and lower income families and giving them the support they needed to make sure that their students had access to higher education. Over the course of my time I think we've seen a lot of push and pull around this need merit debate. And you know, they don't have to be mutually exclusive, although the pie is limited. Melanie Storey [00:07:52]: I don't want to make it seem like it is without boundaries, but you tend to see a movement where loans, federal student loans, are less targeted toward the lowest income students. They are generally since the mid-80s, I won't get into legislative language, but since the mid late 80s that middle income and even middle upper income families can also access loans with the core sort of grant programs still really being focused on the lowest income students. But that sets up a lot of policy challenges and appropriations challenges. Right? Loans are mandatory, funded, they don't have to be funded every year. Again getting kind of technical, But Pell grants have to be funded every year. So you see this kind of tension kind of building over the course of my career. The other thing that I think has really been a dramatic shift and we're seeing it play out in public opinion polling and in other places where the general public is being asked is around the value of higher education, whether it's federal or state. Governments are literally investing hundreds of billions. Melanie Storey [00:08:50]: It's not over time, trillions of dollars in higher education. They want to know what they're buying and that they're getting a value for that investment. And I think confidence in the value of higher education has really changed over the course of my career. And so that has a kind of broader. It's not specific to financial aid, but it has a real impact because financial aid of course is the distribution of the funds that are invested in this effort. And so I think one of the things, and I'm sure we'll get to this at some point that I and thinking about at NASA is how do we recapture that narrative? How do we really fully demonstrate the transformative value of higher education, whether it be for the individual, the family, the community, but also our nation. It drives innovation, it drives research and really making sure that, that we can tell that story and the return on that investment. So that has been sort of the overall kind of context that I think has really changed in higher education. Melanie Storey [00:09:44]: So you both want to make sure that you're focusing on need based aid. Although merit has value and we see more of that, but also that we can demonstrate that what we're investing in is really advancing individuals, communities in our nation. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:09:56]: We're in a situation now where the Department of Education is really changing the way that financial aid is implemented and distributed to students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We saw the one big beautiful Bill ACT pass just a couple of months ago. We know a lot of those changes aren't actually going to take effect until the next academic year or some even beyond that. But NASA has developed a really great chart resource that talks about a lot of the changes and where they impact us and our students. But from a student affairs professional perspective, there's a large number of us who have been relying on public service loan forgiveness for our own journeys. So I'm wondering if we can start there and can you tell us what we know about how the OBBBA is going to change how we engage with federal financial aid from ourselves as professionals? Melanie Storey [00:10:50]: Yeah. Wow. That's a good question. I call it OB3 because the one big beautiful Bill act is a tongue twister and a lot of words. So I…

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