500

In this course students will explore student affairs as a critical element of higher education institutions. Students will be introduced to structures, career options, and standards within the field, and will engage with student affairs professionals and institutions to learn about diverse experiences and opportunities in the field.

This course explores the experiences and engagement of college students across the full breadth of the college experience--going beyond traditionally-aged college students at four-year institutions to discussing community college students, post-traditional students, racially diverse students, and more, along with the intersectionality of those identities and experiences. Students in this class are asked to consider how educational needs, growth and development, and experiences impact college students and their educational journey.

This course engages students in practical exercises and scholarship to develop interpersonal skills and manage interactions across their work in higher education. Topics include crisis management, referral and collaboration, implementing interventions, and managing interpersonal challenges.

This course introduces students to assessment and evaluation in higher education. Students will develop an understanding of the broad accountability landscape and standards, methods and practices specific to student affairs, and apply those understandings through project-based learning tied to real-world examples.

This course focuses on resource management within higher education programs and institutions, including financial management, human resource management, contract/grant management, and program management. Students will engage with literature on best practices, as well as directly with practitioners to develop understanding through engagement with real-world issues.

This course engages students in discussions of the development of and challenges faced by minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) work in higher education. Throughout the term, we will consider MSI classification assignment and impact, how stakeholders contribute to or limit DEIJ work, exemplar programs and institutions, and related topics.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), delving into their historical context, the unique challenges they face, and the transformative impact they can have on students and communities. Students will critically examine the significance of HSIs, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of the role they play in promoting equitable access and student success.

This course explores the transformative power of HSIs that actively embrace their classification and strategically work toward supporting and empowering their diverse student bodies. The course content focuses on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to harness the potential of HSIs through exploration of grants and funding opportunities, innovative approaches, and programs focused on student success.

This course focuses on the critical role that student support and engagement play in fostering student success at HSIs. Foci include understanding the unique challenges faced by students, and strategies and best practices to promote persistence and meaningful academic and cocurricular engagement.

This course centers on the critical role community colleges play in fostering regional economic growth and workforce development, as well as the community engagement inherent in the community college mission. Emphases include forging strong partnerships with local communities and businesses, contributing to a dynamic learning environment and to student sense of belonging.

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the organizational frameworks and governance structures that underpin community colleges. It will explore the intricate systems that shape the functions, decision-making processes, and overall effectiveness of this vital sector of higher education.

This course focuses on the essential processes and practices that community colleges undertake to maintain quality, compliance, and continuous improvement. Students will engage with internal assessment, and learn to navigate various types of accreditation and internal and external accountability measures.

This class introduces students to concepts, methods, and applications of educational research including fundamental principles of research design, methodologies, and data analysis. This course will equip students with essential knowledge and skills to support educational research, contextualize data, and understand and apply findings.

This course provides an in-depth study of a special topic in higher education not fully covered in one of the other program courses. Topics offered may be chosen based on research interests of students and faculty, special faculty expertise, or areas of current debate and emerging interest in the field. This course may be taken for credit multiple times, provided that different topics are covered in each course.

This course is the capstone for the HESA program and an opportunity for students to solidify their practical and academic goals through an individualized project in partnership with a faculty mentor. Students may choose a thesis, portfolio, assessment project, or action research project, and tailor the topic to their career goals and scholarly interests.