Behaviors, Attitudes, Skills, and Knowledge Critical to Effective Senior Student Affairs Officers

Abstract

We surveyed 441 senior student affairs officers to measure their perceptions of behaviors, attitudes, skills, and knowledge (BASK) important to their effectiveness. Most important was integrity. Women and People of Color scored higher on BASK factors than other SSAOs. Practice implications include discussing BASK in NASPA associate/assistant vice president initiatives, reexamining curricula for NASPA and ACPA aspiring SSAO institutes, being more inclusive with demographic questions, and developing ways to further integrity in professional practice.