Student Affairs Professionals at Catholic Colleges and Universities: Honoring Two Philosophies

Abstract

Student affairs professionals are encouraged by their professional organizations to recognize the responsibility they have to their institutions by "support-ing its mission, goals and policies" (American College Personnel Association [ACPA], 2006, p. 6) and by avoiding conflicts of interest between the self and the college or university (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators [NASPA], 1990). While some would say that the philosophy that guides student affairs professionals fits quite well with the mission of Catholic institutions (Gallin, 1990), others point out that most student affairs professionals are educated at secular universities and experience little preparation regarding the Catholic intellectual tradition (Estanek, 2001). The purpose of this study was to explore the following questions: Are there student affairs professionals at Catholic colleges and universities who are able to bring together a student affairs philosophy with that of Catholic colleges and universities? If these professionals do exist, what can we learn from their knowledge and approaches that might help other student affairs professionals at Catholic colleges and universities to honor both philosophies? The results suggest that a great deal can be learned from seasoned professionals in Catholic student affairs, which may well assist new professionals in negotiating these two different philosophies. C urrently over 220 Catholic colleges and universities in the United States enroll more than 700,000 students (Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities [ACCU], n.d.). Student affairs work in these 220 institutions cannot be characterized easily because of the diversity of institution type represented in Catholic higher education. While institutional missions are unique to the history and tradition of each college, university, and founding order, each institution shares a certain identity in its relationship to the Catholic Church. Student affairs professionals are encouraged by profession