Chief Student Affairs Officer Titles: Standardization of Titles and Broadening of Labels

This study examined chief student affairs officer (CSAO) titles at 2,621 4-year public and private institutions and 2-year institutions included in the 2006 Higher Education Directory. This study replicated and extended Rickard’s (1985a) study of CSAO titles, with regard to institutional autonomy and professional standardization and provides a 22-year update on the uses of CSAO titles. Among study findings, males were found to hold 55% of CSAO titles and females to hold 45%. This finding represented a significant increase for females from 22% in 1984 to 45% in 2006. Other findings identified information based on gender, titles, and institutional type and size.

The Extent to Which Four-Year College Presidents who Previously Served as Senior Student Affairs Officers Report Having the Characteristics of Effective Presidents

Results of a research study to determine the extent to which presidents of 4-year institutions with Senior Student Affairs Officer (SSAO) experience share the leadership characteristics of effective presidents as defined by earlier research are reported. Based on analysis of the data using t test and ANOVA statistical procedures, it is concluded that these presidents do report having the characteristics of effective presidents. With two exceptions, all significant differences found indicate these presidents identify to an even stronger degree with the idealized leadership characteristics than do effective presidents. Further, within this specific group of presidents, significant differences in leadership characteristics were found based on both size and control of institutions. It is anticipated that the results of this research will strengthen the manner in which presidential candidates from the nontraditional pathway of a SSAO are perceived, as well as encourage those student affairs professionals with presidential aspirations.