Making Change Happen in Student Affairs

Book excerpt: Change is inevitable. Managing change is a choice. Authored by three esteemed leaders in the field of student affairs, Making Change Happen in Student Affairs: Challenges and Strategies for Professionals is a thought-provoking and pragmatic guide to the increasingly complex challenges and expectations that administrators face from both students and the public. Whether it's pressure to provide better programs and services with fewer resources, or difficulties grappling with economic challenges and technological change, the book teaches how to become an effective leader and skillful strategist in order to respond to a rapidly changing landscape. Readers will learn to change their thinking about how they approach challenges by reframing their purpose, role, and function as leaders. Each chapter includes specific concepts and tools that can be used to tackle the most complex campus issues and develop effective plans of action. You'll learn how to: Manage financial resources and supervise staff effectively Advocate for specific students while still recognizing diversity and maintaining service to all Adapt to institutional culture, ethics, values, and changes in leadership Use technology as a tool to affect change on campus By applying shared foundations, ethical principles, a rich knowledge base, and experience, student affairs professionals can develop powerful strategies to confront and resolve vexing problems. With extensive examples and case studies that cover a wide array of issues, this book is an essential read for those looking to make a real difference in the lives of their students and the health of their institutions.