ACPA (College Student Educators International) and NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) have released the Professional Competencies for Student Affairs Educators, the third edition of the framework that guides professional development and practice across the student affairs field. The updated framework reflects the evolving needs of college students, changing higher education environments, and the responsibilities of today’s student affairs professionals.
The revised framework introduces eight competency areas organized into two categories: Guiding Values and Essential Practices. It also replaces the previous professional development levels of Foundational, Intermediate, and Advanced with Core and Continuing Development. The Core Competencies establish baseline expectations for student affairs practitioners and scholars, identifying the shared knowledge and practices that unite the profession. Continuing Development emphasizes ongoing professional learning and growth throughout a student affairs career.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is represented in this national effort by John Wesley Lowery, professor in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program, who served on the 2023–25 ACPA/NASPA Joint Task Force responsible for reviewing and revising the competencies. The updated framework serves as a resource for graduate preparation, professional development, supervision, and continued learning for student affairs professionals at all career stages.
Explore the updated framework: 2026 ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies for Student Affairs Educators.