How Campus Activities Can Lead the Modern University: Five Imperatives - JCAPS Vol. 1 Issue 1

The point that higher education is undergoing disruptive change is made so frequently that it has almost become a cliché. But like many platitudes, the frequency with which it is repeated is a testament to its broad acceptance and central importance in the field of higher education. A glance at the history of this profession reveals the often seismic shifts that have at once shaken our foundations and subsequently revolutionized how we teach, support and develop our students. In short, higher education is in constant flux, and while this change may seem to be occurring at higher rates of speed, change has always been a part of higher education, and professionals have always needed to adapt to keep up.

It is imperative that campus activities professionals not only avoid the trap of the transactional approach to higher education but fully embrace the transformative possibilities of this work. For example, it would be limiting to view the role of campus activities as simply providing engaging events for the campus. To the end that such a view implies a lack of substance, the result could be fewer resources allocated by campus leaders who may see students’ “entertainment” as a luxury in a time of scarcity (Cummings and Peck, 2017, p. 149-150). But if campus activities professionals embrace the potential of transformative education, the field can positively contribute and provide leadership for the field in the uncertain times ahead. This article offers guidance on how this can be accomplished.