The Lived Transitions of Senior Student Affairs Leaders

This study of student affairs leaders who have left senior roles used an interpretive qualitative approach to explore these lived transitional experiences. The context of the departure, its immediate impact, the ensuing emotions, the change navigation process, and the envisioned future appear to shape the departing leaders' perceptions of the transitions. Results provide guidance for those entering or leaving senior student affairs roles, colleagues and counselors of leaders experiencing transitions, and institutional officials managing them.