Chapter 7: The Role of Anti-Racism in Student Affairs Leadership

Amid the onset of a global pandemic, the year 2020 was marked by the senseless deaths of individuals from Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) communities. As a result, college campuses and cities across the world became the epicenter for demonstrations and protests against law enforcement agencies. These unprecedented events led to outrage, frustration, and anger toward campus administrators, including senior student affairs officers (SSAOs). Furthermore, SSAOs were forced to think critically and create spaces where students’ safety, well-being, and sense of belonging remained the cornerstone of the campus community. To that end, colleges and universities across the nation issued statements denouncing police brutality, hate, white supremacy, and more.