Whether you’re actively job searching or simply seeking to excel at your current institution, here are some editor’s picks highlighting issues, trends, and tips from last month that may help you.
Best in Leadership in Higher Ed
The Heart of Campus Life: Housing Professionals and Their Impact
In this Higher Ed Careers interview, an assistant vice president for student affairs shares how residential life professionals help shape the heart of campus. The interview showcases the lasting impact of small acts of care, the importance of building community, and how housing teams create spaces where students feel seen and supported. It’s a valuable reminder that leadership in higher ed often begins where students live — through compassion and connection.
Best in Higher Ed Trends and Policy
From Transactional to Transformational: It is Time To Rebrand the Financial Aid Office
The phrase “Office of Financial Aid” may sound straightforward, but for many students, it carries stress and confusion. Written by a vice president of student financial aid services, this article challenges institutions to rethink that identity, framing financial aid as a relationship rather than a transaction. By rebranding these offices to emphasize guidance, advocacy, and access, it argues that language can reshape how students experience support — turning what once felt bureaucratic into a source of belonging and empowerment.
Best in Career Development, Stages, and Transitions
How To Transition Between Group and Solo Work in a Competitive Workplace
Early-career professionals in higher education often face a competitive landscape that can clash with the collaborative spirit their institutions promote. This perspective explores how to balance individual ambition with teamwork by setting boundaries and practicing gradual change. It offers steps for shifting from a “solo success” mindset to one that values shared growth — a reminder that thriving in higher ed isn’t about going through things alone, but learning how to grow together.
Best in Teaching and Faculty
Fostering Mutual Respect Between Staff and Faculty
Faculty and staff often share the same mission but experience vastly different pressures and expectations. This reflection by a faculty member explores how misunderstandings about status, workload, and respect can strain collaboration — and how empathy and dialogue can help bridge the divide. By encouraging leaders to foster healthier dynamics, it reminds readers that strong campus communities depend on mutual understanding, not hierarchy.
Best in Health and Wellbeing
Using Emotional Intelligence To Support Students During Crises of Confidence
When students question whether they belong, the right conversation can change everything. Written by a professor and director of a center for faculty development and advancement, this article explores how emotional intelligence, rooted in empathy and communication, can guide students through crises of confidence. Drawing on real campus examples, it shows how meeting students with patience, curiosity, and compassion helps them shift from panic to problem-solving. It’s a powerful reminder that when educators “start with heart,” they help students find their footing again.
Best in Student Affairs
October marked Careers in Student Affairs Month, a time to recognize the professionals who build belonging and balance behind the scenes of campus life. In this podcast episode, a dean of students shares how the field is adapting to shifting student needs, from supporting adult learners and hybrid campuses to addressing rising case volumes with compassion and innovation. The conversation highlights the power of mentorship, flexibility, and purpose-driven leadership in shaping a sustainable future for student affairs.
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