Celebrating Student Affairs at TC

With October marking Careers in Student Affairs Month, Teachers College hosted Amelia Parnell, President of NASPA–Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, for a day of engaging conversation and community building. Drawing students, faculty, alumni and student affairs professionals from New York and beyond, programming celebrated the field’s TC roots, explored the complexities of the profession and imagined its future.

“Student Affairs professionals are on the front line with our students, who are facing unprecedented challenges and are in need of considerable support and wrap-around services as they navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving world,” said President Thomas Bailey. “From residential life staff to advisors and counselors to career mentors and student activity leaders, our student affairs staff members work tirelessly to build a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. It is not an easy job. But I can tell you, not only as a College president and higher education researcher, but also as a father and grandfather, you are very much appreciated.”

In addition to remarks from President Bailey, Tom Rock and the keynote, the day's program included a morning discussion, panel, game show and special proclamation from President Bailey honoring the month.

Presidential Proclamation for NASPA President’s Campus Visit on the occasion of the National Careers in Student Affairs Month (October 2026)

Signed and Sealed by: Thomas Bailey, President, Teachers College, Columbia University

WHEREAS, Higher education institutions are vital to the economic, cultural, and civic life of New York City, the United States and the world, serving hundreds of thousands of undergraduate and graduate students each year; and
WHEREAS, In 1914, Teachers College, Columbia University pioneered the professional field of student affairs, previously known as Student Personnel Administrators, led by visionaries like Professor Esther Lloyd-Jones, who established the foundational framework for student development and holistic campus support; and
WHEREAS, Student affairs professionals—including residence life directors, counselors, academic advisors, career coaches, and student activity coordinators—work tirelessly to ensure student health, safety, belonging, and pathways to degree completion; and
WHEREAS, During National Careers in Student Affairs Month, New York City welcomes Dr. Amelia Parnell, President of NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education to Teachers College to mark over a century of leadership in student success;
NOW, THEREFORE TODAY, I, Thomas Bailey, President of Teachers College, join the entire TC community in expressing deep gratitude and appreciation to:

The visionaries of Teachers College who first recognized the critical need for a well-trained corps of student affairs professionals; and
The thousands of student affairs officers working today across the country and globe creating safe, welcoming, and dynamic environments for all learners.

I am hereby proud to proclaim October as Student Affairs Professionals Month at Teachers College, and urge us all to emulate the dedication, compassion, empathy, and leadership demonstrated by this group of extraordinary professionals.

Uncovering the Origins of the Field

TC’s connection to student affairs stretches back to its beginning in the mid-20th century when the late Esther Lloyd-Jones, a professor of education at the college, founded the nation’s first graduate program in student personnel with the philosophy that these employees foster the development of students and staff. She spent decades supporting students and professionalizing the field of student affairs and her ethos continues to serve as inspiration for TC students and faculty in the Higher and Postsecondary Education program.

Tom Rock NASPA — “It was right here, under leaders like TC Professor Dr. Esther Lloyd-Jones, that our field first found its purpose and voice…She guided generations of students through nearly forty years of monumental world history — from the Great Depression…to moments of awesome progress and opportunity,” said Tom Rock, Vice President for Community & Student Affairs, in his welcoming remarks. “Every day, in every campus building, residence hall, office and classroom, the work you do ensures your students and your campus thrive. You all embody the ideals and ambitions of Dr. Esther Lloyd-Jones” (Photo: Sirin Samman)

Teachers College has continued its legacy of centering student success through the initiatives within President Bailey’s Strategic Priorities, specifically his student pathways framework. A wide array of student resources from enrollment through graduation includes the Cowin Student Success Hub — which offers academic skill building, readiness and other co-curricular supports to promote student success — and other, more targeted offerings, such as the TC NEXT career services office, the Cowin Career Closet and the Student Support & Advocacy team.

Amelia Parnell, a black woman with a short afro, speaks at a podium — Amelia Parnell speaking at Teachers College. It was her first time visiting a graduate school as NASPA President. (Photo: Sirin Samman)

Considering the State of Student Affairs

In the nearly 100 years since its start, much has changed in the field and Parnell explored this evolution in her keynote speech. While student affairs professionals are facing and overcoming a range of challenges, from debates over the value of higher education to the transformative role of AI, Parnell noted an increase in respect for the rigorous work of student affairs during her time as NASPA President.

“I've seen more people dig in, both from the sense of they know the impact they're making, but also that they believe that impact is going to be…beneficial to students and they like it, despite all the challenges,” said Parnell, author of You Are a Data Person: Strategies for Using Analytics on Campus. “I see more campus leaders talking about student affairs in a way that is integral…most senior leaders are saying, ‘I don't know how we could navigate this current period without dedicated, trained professionals in student affairs.’”

Panelist NASPA — Following her keynote, Parnell (second from right) joined a lively roundtable discussion with TC Student Senator and doctoral student Jamie Lerner-Brecher (left) and NASPA District II Director Francisco Díaz (second from left), Associate Vice President for Student Development at William Paterson University, moderated by TC alumnus Jeffrey Putnam (Ed.D. ’11) (right), Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. They discussed the utility of data in human-centered decisionmaking, the role of AIs hearing from campuses across the country, how we use data while never losing sight of the student stories behind it, the growing role of AI, and the responsibilities of student affairs. (Photo: Sirin Samman)

We've all had examples of how artificial intelligence to some degree has been a part of our daily work…But I don't think it should ever be used to replace human decision making. Now, can it expedite analyses? Can you do some spot checking and verifying? Absolutely. At the point where you ask it, ‘what should I do’... [that’s] where I would say it doesn't have all the context. It hasn't been on campus, it hasn't seen the students.

Amelia Parnell on the role of AI in the work of student affairs

You can bring numbers to the administration and you can say, ‘we need more people working in this office because my caseload is four times the number [it should be].’ And they'll listen to that. But it's not until you bring them those stories and [say] this is what I did for this person, and this is what I see every day, that [it] will stick in their head…it's [about] marrying both.

Jaime Lerner-Brecher on the importance of using qualitative and quantitative data to best support students

I've had to remind [university] vice presidents and cabinet members [that] when possible, we have to give people permission to let things go. That favorite project, that lovely program that we've done for 10 years, we've got to give people permission to let it go. They can't keep taking more on…It's not just about money, it's about the people who are running those programs and services.

Francisco Díaz on ways to prevent burnout for student affairs professionals

We're not going to solve every problem on this campus. But [in] this tiny corner that is our campus… we're going to make sure that you're heard, that you're understood, and that you feel like you belong here. I think if we stick to that as our primary objective, then you'll get through to students and you'll create a better…experience for them.

Jeffrey Putnam (Ed.D. ’11) on the responsibilities of student affairs professionals

More Moments

Parnell (front row, center) spent the morning in the Cowin Student Success Hub — part of TC’s Student Pathways — with members of the Higher & Postsecondary Education Program and alumni.

A robust conversation between Parnell and members of the Higher & Postsecondary Education program.

The formal program opened with a rousing game of Jeopardy between Lema Moliga (left), TC’s Director for Student Support and Advocacy, Charles Todd (center), Vice President for University Life at Columbia University, and TC alum Brian Mitra (Ed.D. ’18, right), Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Queensborough Community College. The questions ranged from legal issues and student knowledge to TC history, including the role of Esther Lloyd-Jones as a pioneer of student affairs at the College. (Photo: Sirin Samman)