The peer assessment scores published annually by "U.S. News & World Report" ("USNWR") have fast become the de facto measure of institutional reputation in higher education. While higher education policymakers often use this score for benchmarking and performance-based funding purposes, relatively little is known about this…

The incorporation of therapy animals into psychological treatment has proven to be an effective form of treatment option for college students, yet limited information exists around the implementation of animal assisted interventions within groupwork. The purpose of this study was to gain understanding of animal assisted group therapy (AAGT) on…

With keen insight, Kathleen deLaski reimagines what higher education might offer and whom it should serve in "Who Needs College Anymore?" In the wake of declining US university enrollment and widespread crises of confidence in the value of a college degree, deLaski urges a mindset shift regarding the learning routes and credentials that…

The problem addressed in the study is that university counselors in the United States have been overwhelmed by the surge in student mental health care demand. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore and document the perspectives of university counselors and how they had been affected by the surge in student mental healthcare in…

As diverse student populations in the United States continue to increase, the need to support culturally diverse student groups has become increasingly important, especially in postsecondary institutions. Colleges and universities have been relying heavily on student affairs professionals (SAPs) to provide services that inform and support diverse…

This study sought to explore the experiences of counsellors at Nelson Mandela University's Emthonjeni Student Wellness counselling unit regarding the implementation of a blended counselling model which integrated virtual interventions into the existing practice model. Grounded theory methodology was employed to generate an understanding of the…

This phenomenological investigation examined the experiences and knowledge of high school counselors in advising student-athletes on the NCAA college transition process. The study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges, successes, and experiences of school counselors in supporting student-athletes during a critical transition…

The problem addressed in the study is that university counselors in the United States have been overwhelmed by the surge in student mental health care demand. The purpose of this qualitative dissertation was to explore and document the perspectives of university counselors and how they have been affected by the surge in student mental healthcare…

Trauma-informed practices were initially designed for children; however, we argue that higher education is well-positioned to address the needs of adults as well. This paper discusses adopting trauma-informed practices in organizations and relational spaces. We also share preliminary findings from a qualitative pilot study that explored the…

University counselors have been in place in China for more than fifty years, and they serve an important (yet underappreciated) role in Chinese universities. The professional development of this profession is: (1) a realistic need for the construction of quality education development teams in colleges/universities; (2) a theoretical need for the…

This paper explores the experiences of social work practitioners making a career move from front-line practice into academia. Six participants engaged in a focus group and subsequent individual semi-structured interviews to reflect on their transitional experiences. From this, factors that helped or hindered the transition were identified and…

The purpose of the study was to understand how faculty and counselors perceive student persistence, retention, and college readiness in relation to student academic success. The qualitative approach was utilized to obtain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of the participants. Purposeful sampling was utilized to select faculty and…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, academic advisors worked remotely and conducted virtual appointments. One higher education advising unit in the Southeast United States resumed in-person appointments while maintaining virtual appointments in Fall 2021. To address whether significant differences occur in appointment modalities, this study conducted…

The conclusion of 2024 state legislative sessions brought news of additional measures to limit higher education institutions' ability to offer initiatives focused on creating inclusion and belonging. In addition, and of particular impact on Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) members, several states and institutions that…

Many mid-level higher education and student affairs professionals are responsible for the supervision of entry-level professionals. As the population of entry-level professionals continues to diversify, it is necessary for mid-level student affairs supervisors to engage effectively across differences of culture and identity in their supervisory…