Student affairs is an important part of higher education and the work that professionals in this field do is an essential catalyst in starting the lifelong, holistic development of students.
One of the most authoritative platforms on the global student affairs stage is the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice (JSARP), and is considered to be an honour to serve on its editorial board. The executive director of Student Life at the North-West University (NWU), Prof Sibusiso Chalufu, has been selected to serve on the board of the JSARP, which is published by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) in the United States of America.
Prof Chalufu says he considers this appointment to be a great honour, especially as the NASPA has over 13 000 members from 2 100 institutions and is affiliated with the International Association of Student Affairs and Services (IASAS).
He will serve in this capacity on the board from 2024 to 2027. Prof Chalufu’s responsibilities on the board include the review of submissions and manuscripts, and advising on content and methodological matters.
“It is a great opportunity to play such an important role to ensure that respected research and practices are showcased and that it will make a difference in the field of student affairs and services,” says Prof Chalufu.
Being selected out of all the applications for the editorial board of the JSARP has special significance for him, especially on a professional level. “I consider it one of the highest accolades and acknowledgement of the work I have done in the field of student affairs and services over the past 20 years or so. It means a lot to me professionally, as it also allows me to work with a spectrum of esteemed colleagues in the field.”
Prof Chalufu says it is not just an individual achievement. He also views it as an achievement for both the student affairs and services subsector and the NWU. Prof Chalufu is at the forefront of the sector locally and is currently the president of the South African Association of Senior Student Affairs Professionals (SAASSAP). Serving on the JSARP editorial board enhances his expertise in this regard. “It also shows that, as an institution, the NWU is contributing on the global stage.”
He views it as part of his calling on a personal level. “As a believer, I just have a sense that God has been shining His light on me and is raising me higher and higher, for a purpose.”
Executive director co-authored a paper on student affairs associations
Prof Chalufu is no stranger when it comes to authoring content with impact. In 2022, he co-authored an article with his colleague from the NWU, Dr Corrie Rheeder, titled “Student affairs and services leadership in trying times: Student social behaviour project and psycho-social support interventions at a comprehensive university in South Africa”. Furthermore, as lead author, he recently co-wrote a paper that provides perspectives on student affairs associations from the African region. He coordinated the work and collaborated with colleagues from other universities, namely Prof Matete Madiba, Dr Saloschini Pillay and Dr Matome Mashiapata.
The paper investigates how South African student affairs associations pooled their strategy into a southern African federation and how this strengthened their impact on student support and development. The paper also gives perspectives on pan-African developments to strengthen higher education, and further reveals ambitious plans to strengthen student support in African higher education with efforts driven by the Association of African Universities.
“Our paper highlights that professional associations across southern Africa play a critical role in advancing professionalisation in student affairs theory and practices,” says Prof Chalufu.
The authors posit that there are continental efforts to strengthen the profession further. “Given the spread of e-technology for education, the increased accessibility and affordability are most likely going to enhance the advancement of the professional development of student affairs and services in Africa.”
To read the full paper, click here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ss.20478.
Prof Sibusiso Chalufu
