Recommendations on Books, Podcasts, and More
Recommended Reading for Student Affairs Practitioners
Building a strong student affairs practice begins with the theoretical and empirical foundations of the field. Student Development in College (Patton, Renn, Guido & Quaye) provides the essential grounding — from psychosocial and cognitive development to social identity frameworks — while How College Affects Students, Vol. 3 (Mayhew, Rockenbach, Bowman, Seifert & Wolniak, with Pascarella & Terenzini) supplies the empirical evidence behind what actually works in higher education. Translating that research into practice, Increasing Persistence (Habley, Bloom & Robbins) equips practitioners with actionable retention strategies, and Completing College (Tinto) reinforces why institutional structures of support, belonging, and high expectations are non-negotiable for student success.
For those working in Christian higher education, several resources speak directly to the integration of faith and professional practice. Christ-Enlivened Student Affairs (Glanzer, Cockle, Jeong & Graber) and Student Affairs Reconsidered (ed. Guthrie) offer the most thorough frameworks for understanding how Christian commitments shape the who, why, and how of our work, while Christian Higher Education: An Empirical Guide (Glanzer, Cockle & Martin) situates that work within the broader national landscape of Christian institutions. Cultivating the Spirit (A. Astin, H. Astin & Lindholm) rounds out this cluster with compelling national research on how campus environments can intentionally nurture students' inner lives, spiritual growth, and sense of purpose.
For staying current with the evolving demands of the profession, Student Affairs Professional Preparation (Clark & Smith, NASPA) serves as an indispensable scholar-practitioner guide, bridging research and practice across the contemporary challenges defining our field today — from student well-being and campus climate to professional identity and institutional change. It is an ideal resource for staff development conversations and onboarding new professionals to the division.
Other Reading Recommendations from Baylor Student Life
At the heart of student affairs work is the practice of genuinely seeing and knowing the people we serve. How to Know a Person (David Brooks) invites us to develop the rare and powerful skill of making others feel seen and understood — a disposition foundational to everything we do. Mattering (Jennifer Wallace) reinforces why that matters, drawing on research to show how feeling significant to others shapes student well-being, belonging, and success. These themes find their deeper roots in Life Worth Living (Volf, Croasmun & McAnnally-Linz) and The Life We're Looking For (Andy Crouch), which together ask the formative questions driving our mission — what does human flourishing actually look like, and how do we help students pursue it with intention and purpose?
The culture we build within our institutions and teams shapes whether that flourishing can actually take root. The Caring University (Kevin McClure) offers a timely and practical vision for how institutions can prioritize genuine care for students — not just programmatically, but structurally. Unreasonable Hospitality (Will Guidara) translates that vision into a culture of going above and beyond for the people you serve, with lessons from the hospitality industry that transfer powerfully to student affairs practice. And Bet on Talent (Dee Ann Turner) reminds leaders that the people you hire and invest in are the greatest variable in building a culture of excellence and care.
Sustaining that kind of culture over time requires ongoing personal and interpersonal growth. Difficult Conversations (Stone, Patton & Heen) is the definitive guide to navigating the hard conversations every student affairs professional faces — whether with students, colleagues, or supervisors — with honesty and skill. Mindset (Carol Dweck) challenges us to examine our own assumptions about growth and intelligence, shaping how we approach both our personal development and the way we challenge and encourage students. The Power of Habit (Charles Duhigg) rounds out this group by illuminating the science behind how habits form and change — a practical lens for helping students (and ourselves) build the routines and patterns that lead to lasting growth.
Podcasts for Deepening Impact
Baylor Connections
Baylor University
School Spirit: Faithful Conversations for College Students
Baylor Student Life
A Higher Education
Association for Christians in Student Development
College Matters
The Chronicle of Higher Education