Throughout our anniversary celebration, ACPA is collaborating with Student Affairs Now to bring you 13 podcast episodes exploring past, present, and future of our association and the field of higher education. Episodes will typically be released on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from January through October with a few bonus episodes throughout the year.

Episode 1: ACPA’s Contributions to Research & Scholarship
Join these scholars and ACPA leaders, Drs. Z Nicolazzo, Antonio Duran, and Vasti Torres as they discuss ACPA’s contributions to research and scholarship. They reflect on what is included with research and scholarship and ACPA’s historical, current, and future contributions. They also offer thoughts for those interested in contributing scholarship on why, how, and where to do so. This is part of a 13-episode series for ACPA’s 100th Anniversary and a partnership between ACPA and Student Affairs Now.

Episode 2: ACPA’s Roots in the Counseling Profession
Join this important conversation among ACPA scholars and leaders, Drs. Leila Moore, Amy Reynolds, and Heidi Levine as they reflect on the roots of the counseling profession in ACPA and the vital role that mental health providers have played in ACPA, student affairs and higher education historically and today. This rich discussion also address the current mental health challenges facing college students today and the important role of student affairs professionals and campuses in addressing these issues.

Episode 3: ACPA’s Role in Queering Higher Education
This special episode focuses on the history, present, and future of LGBTQ+ people and issues in higher education. Panelists Jonathan Poullard, Dr. Becki Elkins, and Dr. Quortne Hutchings join us to reflect on ACPA’s role in making higher education a more queer-friendly environment for students and practitioners alike.

Episode 4: The Future of Community Colleges
Two-year colleges, including community, technical, and junior colleges, are focused on access, affordability, and equity; workforce development and career preparation; and serving their community’s needs with agility. In this episode, two former chairs of ACPA’s Commission for Two-Year Colleges and a current two-year college president discuss the growing student and institutional needs with limited resources and how associations like ACPA can better support professional development and student success in this critical higher education sector.

Episode 5: Connections and Learning
Join three student affairs professionals as they share different paths to professional engagement, learning, and relationship building. Yasas Vithanage joins Drs. Amanda Knerr and Kelvin Rutledge to reflect on various professional engagement opportunities, lessons on getting involved, and the power of relationships.

Episode 6: 100 Years of ACPA History
As ACPA celebrated its 100th anniversary as an association, this panel of four ACPA Presidents reviewed its history to inform its current context and future. The conversation explored why ACPA’s history matters, two themes of advancing our professional development and our work with students, and bridging the past and the future.

Episode 7: Exploring Staff Attrition in Student Affairs
Studies have pointed to the emerging increase of student affairs professionals leaving their roles and even opting to leave the field entirely. While there is a growing number of studies and testimonials why student affairs professionals are opting to leave their roles, there are also reasons why student affairs professionals choose to stay. In this episode, a panel of guests share their perspective on this topic and the retention and departure of student affairs professionals.

Engage with ACPA members on hot topics discussed in our podcasts via Webinars hosted monthly starting in April. The focus of these webinars will be to dive deeper into podcast topics, share resources, and build community.

Redefining Access: A Conversation on Inclusive Accessibility
recorded on 29 October
An insightful discussion that shares how inclusive design, digital accessibility, and a deeper understanding of diverse needs can create environments that empower everyone. Whether you’re a faculty or staff member, a tech professional, or an advocate for inclusion, this webinar will provide valuable insights and practical strategies for fostering truly accessible experiences in your work and community.

Supporting and Motivating (New to) Higher Education Staff
recorded on 10 October 2024
In this session, panelists shared effective approaches to inspire teams, cultivate a positive work culture, and enhance staff satisfaction. The discussion focused on the unique challenges faced by staff entering the field without prior education or direct experience in higher education. Practical tools and resources to foster growth and development were shared, ensuring that all staff, regardless of their background, feel valued and equipped to thrive in their roles. Whether you’re an administrator, faculty member, or aspiring leader, this webinar offers valuable insights that can transform your approach to staff engagement and support.

Publishing as Practitioners
recorded on 23 July 2024
Are you interested in publishing but not sure where to get started? Join us for this interactive session to learn more about the research and publishing process, hear how other practitioners navigate engagement in scholarship, and engage with a community of practitioners passionate about publishing. There will be opportunities to ask questions, discuss areas of expertise, and identify available resources. We also hope that participants will use this webinar to form writing groups or find accountability partners.

JCSD 100th Anniversary Special Issue
recorded on 27 June 2024
To celebrate ACPA’s 100th anniversary, JCSD published a special issue that focused on honoring the past, revising what is known, and preparing for the future of student affairs. In this webinar, hear from the authors of the special issue about their groundbreaking work. During the first hour of the webinar, each author team will share a short 8-minute overview of their manuscript, focusing on findings and implications for practice. During the last 30-minutes, audience members engage in conversations with the authors, as we grapple with how to prepare for the future of our field.

Critical Issues: Present and Future
recorded on 22 May 2024
Join emerging scholars and scholar practitioners Shaina Philpot, Alex C. Lange, Jacki Mac, Q Hutchings, and Katherine Cho as they discuss critical concerns facing higher education and student affairs. Each topic will be considered through a fast-paced, engaging presentation. This webinar centers our commitment to racial justice and decolonization and gets to the heart of ACPA’s past and future commitment to continued growth, intentionality, and progress in the field.

Throughout 2024, the ACPA@100 team engaged in collective visioning with ACPA members in a variety of ways. Spearheaded by the Imagining the Future working group, these efforts led to the development of Preparing for the Future of Our Association and Profession: A Companion Guide for Future Visioning, a written guide for engaging in collective visioning. This document highlights important considerations when engaging in collective visioning and provides frames that can guide our visioning efforts.

The ACPA100 Unsung Champion Recognition honored the everyday mentors, confidants, and behind-the-scenes professionals who have made a difference at any point in the professional lives of our members. Behind each of us is a team of unsung champions. This was the opportunity to recognize and thank them.

The Journal of College Student Development released a special issue, titled Commemorating the Past, Embracing the Future in March/April 2024. ACPA Members can review the issue by logging into the ACPA Member Portal and clicking the Journal of College Student Development link on the right side.

ACPA Developments published thought pieces on the future of higher education and interviews with higher education and association leaders throughout the anniversary year. Members can access ACPA Developments through the ACPA Member Portal.

ACPA@100 celebrated the 100th anniversary in a big way on site in Chicago!

100 Years of ACPA History
Tuesday, 19 March 2024
Presented by: Harold Cheatham, Susan Komives, Stephen John Quaye, and Dennis Roberts Facilitated by: Keith Edwards

This session explored why ACPA’s history matters, themes related to college students and professional development, transitions, and moving forward. Available to review through Student Affairs Now. 

ACPA@100: Critical Issues Present and future
Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Presented by: Jacqueline Mac, Katherine Cho, Quortne R. Hutchings, Shaina Philpot, Donald Walker, Alex C. Lange Facilitated by: the Imagining the Future Working Group & ACPA@100 Committee

This session identified critical concerns facing higher education and student affairs through the lens of established scholars and practitioners. Each topic was considered through fast-paced presentations including panels, brief keynotes, and discourse-driven dialogue. 

ACPA@100: Critical Issues Session – Follow Up and Dialogue
Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Facilitated by the Imagining the Future Working Group & ACPA@100 Committee

This session engaged participants in dialogue, learning, and action surrounding each of the ACPA@100 critical issues. Participants contributed feedback for the association in addressing the needs of students, scholars, and practitioners in the field around each issue.

“Member Since” Badge Ribbons
In honor of ACPA’s 100th Anniversary, the ACPA@100 Planning Team developed “Member Since” ribbons that attendees could attach to the bottom of their name badge to highlight their years of involvement as an ACPA member. 

100th Anniversary Collection Trading Card Game
The 100th Anniversary Collection trading cards were produced in honor of past ACPA presidents and key events and places in our history. Trading cards were handed out at various ACPA24 events and attendees were encouraged to trade with each other and collect as many as they could!