Student Affairs Today: Learning How to Meet Current Challenges

Abstract

Abstract Student affairs was founded on student needs surrounding advocacy and inclusion. Due to a general lack of knowledge surrounding the field’s formation, NASPA worked to create the book Reflecting Back, Looking Forward: Civil Rights and Student Affairs. This article highlights the role of student affairs officers during challenging times, revisits the content of that text, and reviews the current landscape of student affairs. Three common themes emerge regarding 21st century: student demographics, student activism, and college completion. Given these findings, the author recommends NASPA compile a second book applying historical lessons from the civil rights era to today.