Undergraduate learning assistant (ULA) programs are widely recognized for their positive impact on student engagement, academic performance, and classroom inclusion in large-enrollment STEM courses. However, far less attention has been given to the professional development of the ULAs themselves. This perspective paper accompanies the article…

Graduate students have experiences and knowledge that can support small- and large-scale projects and initiatives. Engaging graduate students in these projects is crucial for their development and allows for different perspectives and experiences for the team. Three graduate students supported the development of a new AECT journal, "Journal…

While leader identity development (LID) and meaning making are interwoven and essential for student development, little research has explicitly explored their intersection. In this article, we briefly summarize the work of two research projects that explored the intersection of LID and meaning making, including a review of the findings that…

Writing is important for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) graduate students to achieve milestones within their programs and for their future career aspirations. However, although STEM graduate students engage in a variety of academic writing activities in their time as doctoral students, writing development has not always been a…

For the communication theory course to be successful, instructors must tap into their students' lives and create a sense of how communication theory is not only relevant to their needs, interests, or goals, but also practical when applied to their social, personal, and organizational relationships. One way in which instructors can create a sense…

Student development theory has been an important guide in practice; however, few theories focus on both the individual and the influence of the environment. Spencer's (1997) Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST) examines the individual, the environment, and the role of environmental feedback on self-perceptions, with a…

International students often face challenges while pursuing higher education in a foreign country. These challenges can negatively impact their sense of belonging and community, resulting in social disconnection. Examining the role of culturally competent peer mentoring programs for international students can foster a sense of belonging among…

In 1970, American institutions of higher education were faced with the dissatisfaction of their student populations due to intense social and political clashes transpiring throughout the nation. To gain the students' loyalty, the University of South Carolina introduced a groundbreaking course and program designed to counteract the discontent felt…

The anatomy lab has traditionally been a cornerstone of medical education, combining technical skill acquisition with professional identity formation. However, a predominant focus on academic performance, coupled with the intensity of this experience, has raised concerns about learner burnout and diminished humanistic development of students. To…

Inspired by a Tolkien quote, "Not All Who Wander Are Lost," the authors introduce the concept of "career wandering" in the context of undergraduate student development. Proposing an alternative to traditional linear career trajectories, we conceptualize a dynamic approach that embraces nonlinear paths, indecision, and…

This paper discusses the need to develop higher education students as global citizens and presents examples of how this need is met at SJSU through institutional goal setting, as well as course and curriculum design that ensure students' development of global understanding and intercultural competencies. Inclusive and culturally sensitive…

The hidden curriculum (HC) consists of implicit knowledge rooted in curricula and found throughout students' experiences navigating higher education (e.g. understanding professional email etiquette, graduate school applications and funding opportunities, or often taken-for-granted programs like Title IX and disability accommodations). In this…

This article presents an assessment tool for doctoral students preparing their comprehensive portfolio. This tool was created from my firsthand experience in the Joint PhD program in Educational Studies--a collaboration between three universities in Ontario, Canada: Lakehead University, Brock University, and the University of Windsor. Following…

This article discusses various ways for student affairs professionals, faculty, educators, and policymakers to contribute to the personal, academic, and professional development of international graduate students in the U.S. higher education within their functional areas and their expertise. By highlighting the culturally sensitive support and…

Following Jones and Stewart's (2016) organization of student development scholarship into three waves, researchers have advanced understandings of learning and development using critical and poststructural frameworks. Though many scholars understand what scholarship fits under this third wave, less guidance is available to shape studies of…