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SA Voices From the Field

SA Voices From the Field

Written by: Dr. Jill Creighton NASPA
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 SA Voices from the Field shares the voices and stories from student affairs professionals from around the world. This podcast provides you with practical advice to help you be the best student affairs practitioner you can be, no matter where you are in your career.2024 Careers Economics Personal Success
Episodes
  • Empowering Undergraduates: Inside NASPA's Student Affairs Leadership Conference

    Empowering Undergraduates: Inside NASPA's Student Affairs Leadership Conference
    Feb 19 2026
    What does it take to inspire the next generation of student affairs professionals? In the latest episode of "Student Affairs Voices from the Field," host Dr. Jill Creighton sits down with a dynamic team—Dr. Brooke Paradise, Sohan Daniel, and Anthony Froelich—who are shaping NASPA's Undergraduate Student Conference (USC). If you're passionate about developing young leaders, building inclusive communities, or just curious about meaningful ways to support undergraduates, this episode is for you. A Unique Space for Aspiring Leaders Breaking the mold of traditional conferences, the Undergraduate Student Conference is crafted not just for those considering student affairs as a career, but for any undergraduate eager to build leadership and transferable skills. Attendees come from diverse backgrounds and majors, from "diehard student affairs" hopefuls to business majors looking to expand their horizons. The common thread? A genuine curiosity about leadership and life after graduation. Mentorship and Networking in Action What makes the USC experience stand out is its intentional focus on mentorship and reflective engagement. As Dr. Brooke Paradise shares, the conference blends mainstay features—keynote speakers, concurrent sessions—with hands-on, small group breakouts led by graduate students and professionals. These mentor-led groups offer undergrads a supportive, approachable space to ask questions, reflect, and make lasting connections—a practice that Sohan Daniel credits with propelling his own career journey from attendee to committee leader. Accessible Professional Development The panel highlights the accessibility of the conference and its value for both undergraduates and professionals. Faculty and staff can support students in attending—whether by navigating travel logistics or encouraging independent growth. As Anthony Froelich notes, volunteering as a small group facilitator is an "easy entry point" for professionals looking to give back to the field. The Bigger Picture: The Value of Student Affairs From powerful personal stories about overcoming first-generation struggles to reflections on how mentorship and community can be a "life vest" for students, the episode underscores the broader impact of student affairs. It's about creating space, fostering belonging, and ensuring every student feels seen. Ready to be inspired and learn how you can make a difference? Tune in to this episode and discover why the Undergraduate Student Conference is a launching pad for tomorrow's change-makers—and maybe even get involved yourself! Catch the full episode wherever you get your podcasts—don't miss out on these fresh perspectives shaping the future of higher education! TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:01]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts. Brought to you by NASPA, we curate free and accessible professional development for higher education professionals wherever you happen to be. This is Season 14, continuing our conversation on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton, she/her/hers, your SA Voices from the Field host. Today on SA Voices, we're bringing you 3 guests who are currently planning the undergraduate student conference for 2026. Our first guest is Dr. Brooke Paradise, they/them, who is the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Inclusion and Engagement at Skidmore College, where they provide strategic oversight for campus life and engagement and supervise functional areas including leadership activities, religious and spiritual life, and student diversity and equity. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:49]: With 15+ years of experience across higher education, Brooke is known for building student-centered systems that strengthen belonging, equity, and student success including developing a comprehensive residential curriculum from the ground up and facilitating a learning community that bridges faculty and staff partnerships. Brooke's scholarship and professional practice center neurodivergence and inclusion in the workspace, translating research into actionable strategies that support cognitive diversity and sustainable culture change. They regularly deliver national trainings and presentations, including a NASPA national conference session on the lived experiences of neurodivergent student affairs professionals and inclusive workplace practices, as well as professional leadership development programming. Brooke has also facilitated DEI trainings for the NCAA Division I student athletes and coaching staff and led DEI-focused training for resident advisors. In addition, they serve in the National Association leadership roles with NASPA, including positions supporting assessment, learning outcomes, and undergraduate pipeline development. Our second guest is Sohan Daniel, who is a coordinator at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, or UTK, in the Office of ...
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    47 mins
  • Charting the North Star: Dr. Darryl Holloman's Vision for Student Affairs

    Charting the North Star: Dr. Darryl Holloman's Vision for Student Affairs
    Feb 13 2026
    The latest episode of Student Affairs Voices from the Field kicks off Season 14 with a truly inspiring conversation with incoming NASPA Board Chair, Dr. Darryl Holloman. Hosted by Dr. Jill Creighton, the episode dives deep into the evolving landscape of higher education and what it means to work in student affairs today. Dr. Holloman brings over three decades of experience to the table, spanning roles at HBCUs, PWIs, and across governance, academic administration, and talent management. His journey to Vice President for Student Affairs at Spelman College is a testament to the power of mentorship, professional exploration, and seizing unexpected opportunities. The conversation focuses on the value and challenges facing student affairs professionals, particularly in a period marked by ongoing turmoil—post-pandemic disruption, shifting enrollment, and threats to DEI initiatives. Dr. Holloman emphasizes the need to move beyond accepting the "new normal" and instead frame current challenges as "new possibilities," encouraging professionals to be both forward-ready and future-ready. At the heart of his vision is the "North Star Project," an initiative designed to reclaim public trust and redefine the purpose of higher education. This multifaceted endeavor includes three key arms: Rebuilding Public Trust Survey: A national study examining how those outside higher ed perceive colleges and universities, pushing for deeper understanding beyond the usual Gallup poll data. New Professional Task Force: A focus on early-career professionals, listening deeply to their needs, and developing skill-building opportunities—like real-time badging systems—to help retain talent and strengthen the student affairs pipeline. NASPA Commission on HBCU and Community College Pathways: An effort to amplify the voices of HBCUs and community colleges within NASPA's governance, reflecting their crucial roles in access and mission-driven education. Dr. Holloman's personal values—knowledge, God, family, humility, and hard work—shine throughout the discussion, reinforcing the importance of aligning purpose and professional philosophy. If you're looking for insight into the future of student affairs, practical strategies for professional development, and a fresh take on the value of our field, this is a must-listen. Tune in to hear how Dr. Holloman and NASPA are charting a new course, and discover ways to get involved in shaping the next chapter. Listen to the episode and join the conversation! TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:01]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts. Brought to you by NASPA, we curate free and accessible professional development for higher education professionals wherever you happen to be. This is Season 14, continuing our conversation on the value of student affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton, she/her/hers, your SA Voices from the Field host. Welcome back to Student Affairs Voices from the Field. We are thrilled to kick off our current season with Dr. Darryl B. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:33]: Holloman, who is a distinguished leader in higher education with over 3 decades of experience in student affairs, academic administration, institutional advancement, governance and board relations, and human talent management. Dr. Holloman has worked at several regional and nationally recognized higher education institutions where he supervised collectively over 300 employees and overseen budgets of over $300 million. Dr. Holloman's extensive experience strategically vision and unwavering commitment to student success and institutional excellence make him a transformative leader in higher ed. He currently serves as the VPSA at Spelman College, but he's held senior-level positions at Georgia State University, Columbus State University, and Rutgers University-Newark. He's held faculty appointments at each institution, including full-time faculty appointments at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock and the institutions aforementioned. His contributions continue to inspire and shape the future of academic communities. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:23]: Dr. Holloman has several articles and book chapters to his credit. His research examines the way that disadvantage manage groups, develop, and demonstrate their agency in educational systems, particularly within urban school settings. He's the co-editor of the book entitled From Boyhood to Manhood: Deconstructing Black Masculinity Through a Lifespan Continuum through Peter Lang Press. His most current manuscript is entitled In the Middle: Leading as a Mid-Level Professional in Student Affairs, which was published by NASPA. He's an active member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and he lives in Atlanta with a spouse of 32 years, Glenn Williams, and their two sons, Delbert and Delvin. But most importantly, and why we have him on pod today as he is our incoming NASPA ...
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    44 mins
  • Kicking Off Season 14: NASPA's Future in Focus

    Kicking Off Season 14: NASPA's Future in Focus
    Feb 5 2026
    Welcome to Season 14 of "Student Affairs Voices from the Field," the essential podcast for higher education professionals eager to connect, learn, and grow! Hosted by Dr. Jill Creighton and Dr. Christopher Lewis, this season dives deeper into the evolving value of student affairs, exploring both the challenges and opportunities shaping our profession right now. Right from the start, Dr. Jill Creighton and Dr. Christopher Lewis highlight what's in store: an impressive lineup of guests from across student affairs, "mini grand" opportunities at the NASPA annual conference, updates on strategic planning, and in-depth conversations about how NASPA is moving forward as an organization. If you want to stay in the loop on what's really happening in the field—and hear voices from every corner—this is the podcast to keep on your playlist. Excitingly, the season kicks off with Dr. Darryl Holloman, the incoming NASPA Board Chair, who will discuss his inspiring "North Star Project" and vision for 2026-27. As Dr. Jill Creighton notes, this season is "quite a bit more NASPA as an organizational focus than we've had in [the past]," all while maintaining those meaningful interviews with practitioners you know and love. Longtime listeners will appreciate that the beloved theme—"the value of student affairs"—continues, now for the third time, as it transitions from fall to spring, building momentum and relevance as the profession evolves. Whether you're tuning in for insightful strategy, conference updates, or authentic practitioner stories, you'll find inspiration and practical takeaways in every episode. And if you're heading to the NASPA Annual Conference in Kansas City, don't miss your chance to share your voice—Dr. Jill Creighton and Dr. Christopher Lewis will be on-site collecting mini-interviews! Join the conversation. Subscribe, listen, and become part of a passionate community shaping the future of student affairs. [Student Affairs Voices from the Field] is where your story matters—tune in and be heard! TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:01]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices from the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:07]: Seasoned experts brought to you by naspa. We curate free and accessible professional development. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:12]: For higher education professionals wherever you happen to be. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:15]: This is season 14, continuing our conversation. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:18]: On the value of Student Affairs. I'm Dr. Jill Creighton. Sheher hers your Essay Voices from the Field Host Happy February, Chris Happy February. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:29]: Glad to be back in season 14. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:31]: It's 2026. We are just a couple of days from Super Bowl Sunday. As we're chatting today, I have a lifelong Seahawks fan, so it's hopefully going to be better matchup than the last time the Seahawks and the Patriots were in the super bowl together, but that remains to be seen. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:00:46]: You never know. And I think the Seahawks have a good chance because they have a good. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:51]: Team this year, knock on all sorts of wood. But here we are recording because we're really ready to talk about season 14. Season 14 is coming at you starting next Thursday, the 12th of February. Chris, what do we have in store for season 14? Wow. Dr. Christopher Lewis [00:01:07]: We've got an amazing lineup of individuals from across the profession and we've got a number of really exciting things that we're gonna be talking about in regards to what's been happening in naspa. There's some specific conversations that we're gonna be having about strategic planning and some specific work group NASPA's been doing to really look at a number of different areas in the profession. We are going to be speaking with a number of different people at the conference this year and being able to bring their voices to all of you as well. There's some mini grand opportunities. There's a lot going on. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:01:41]: We're also kicking off our season with Dr. Darrell Holloman, who is the incoming NASPA Board Chair. We always love to feature the NASPA Board Chair as we head into our spring semesters. Can learn from Darrell on what he is hoping to do in his tenure as Board chair. Just a brief he's got a direction for us called the North Star Project, and I think you'll really enjoy listening to where the association is hoping to go in the 2627 year. I can't believe we're already saying 2627. I know we just started 2026, but we've also got a lot of things coming around in terms of how NASPA'S moving into the future. We've got our second year under Dr. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:16]: Parnell and her leadership as president, and I think NASPA's really starting to move and shake in some really interesting ways. So our season ahead is actually quite a bit more ...
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    6 mins
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