Squaring Up for Civility: Embracing Confrontation for a Stronger Future

The Disappearance of Civil Confrontation In recent years, many individuals in our society seem to have lost the ability to engage in civil conversations with those who hold differing opinions. This decline in civil confrontation has severe implications for solving complex problems and coexisting harmoniously. How did we arrive at this point, and how can…

Introduction In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of mental health in the workplace. As a result, the terms “quiet quitting” and “occupational burnout” have become increasingly prevalent in discussions about employee well-being. In this blog post, I will explore the similarities and differences between these two concepts, examine the…

Have you ever wondered what makes a great leader? Is it charisma, intelligence, or perhaps the ability to inspire others? While all of these qualities are essential, there is one characteristic that stands out as a game-changer for leaders, especially in the realm of student affairs: authenticity. But what exactly is authenticity, and why does…

Imagine finding yourself in the bustling city of Boston, surrounded by like-minded professionals and eager to absorb the wealth of knowledge and experience at NASPA 2023. The conference is a recharging experience, opening doors to new possibilities, connections, and insights. But as the excitement fades and the dust settles, how do you ensure that these…

Close your eyes and think about a pencil. What comes to mind? For most of us, it’s just a writing tool – nothing special or worth dwelling on. But what if I told you that a pencil has the power to teach us valuable life lessons? In a YouTube video I recently rewatched titled “Profound…

Hello, beautiful people! Six blog articles in, I’ve realized that, apart from my website profile, I haven’t introduced myself properly. Allow me to tell you a bit about who I am and what experiences have molded me before I share a little about my journey and future posts. I’m looking forward to interweaving my posts…

The name “Janus-faced” derives from the Roman god Janus, who was generally represented with two faces, one looking ahead and one looking backward. Janus was renowned for his capacity to view both the present and the past. It was believed that the god Janus, who was the guardian of entrances and exits, had two faces…

Vicarious trauma, also known as secondary traumatic stress, is the emotional and psychological distress that can result from hearing about or being exposed to the traumatic experiences of others. The term “vicarious trauma” was coined by Judith Lewis Herman in her book “Trauma and Recovery” published in 1992. In this book, she defined vicarious trauma…

The popular advice of “Faking it Until you make it” is often touted as a means of achieving success in the field of student affairs. However, this advice is not only ineffective, but it can also be dangerous and harmful to those who follow it, particularly people of color working in this field. The problem…

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, and poisonous gas that is made when carbon-based fuels like gasoline, wood, and coal are burned. It can also come from natural things, like when a volcano erupts. Carbon monoxide can be dangerous or even kill you because it cuts down on how much oxygen your blood can…

In 2020, Tim Wise wrote a thoughtful piece entitled, Systemic Racism, Explained by Newton’s First Law of Motion: Those who deny its existence might as well deny inertia. It is a thought provoking piece! Isaac Newtons Laws of Motion are the basis of modern physics. However, the second law can be applied to the dynamics…

Can we talk about how insular and click we can be in our hiring practices? Higher education we got a problem, problematic colleagues are in our midsts and have infiltrated safe spaces for underrepresented and minoritized staff.  Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that people often hire those they are comfortable with, who are often within…