What is Student Affairs?

The Division of Student Affairs is a team of professionals who contribute to the personal and professional development of students at the university. Its programs help inspire students to take ownership of self and social responsibility; to become globally aware and appreciate human diversity; and enhance holistic development as well as students’ overall well-being.

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Hear from UIS staff and students about what it's like to have a career in student affairs.

Functional Areas within Student Affairs

What Major is Best for a Career in Student Affairs?

Any major can lead to a career in student affairs; therefore, if you are a senior in biomedical sciences, there is no need to make a quick change of major and potentially prolong your undergraduate experience. Most student affairs professionals hadn't considered a career in such a field until they experienced the programs in college.

This is what makes graduate education so important. In graduate school, students will come from a wide variety of undergraduate majors. What is most important heading into graduate school is maintaining a strong undergraduate GPA, exhibiting strong writing skills and taking advantage of classroom opportunities to expand your critical thinking and research skills.

What Can I Do as an Undergrad?

Although many student affairs' positions require a master's degree, you can gain valuable experiences as an undergrad that will help prepare you for a career in student affairs.

UIS Job Opportunities

Check the Student Employment website for departmental job descriptions and Career Connect for current available job opportunities.

Leadership Opportunities

  • Resident Housing Association – RHA aims to represent interests and concerns of residents, propose policies consistent with resident interests, provide programming for residents, attend SGA meetings, assign representation at the meetings of other student associations and organizations, submit a proposed yearly budget, authorize RHA expenditures, etc...
  • Stories of Leadership Lived from students
  • Student Leadership Recognition Award – The Diversity Center recognizes a group of persons who have held critical leadership roles and have furthered the development of our professional society.

Workshops, Conferences and Mentoring Programs

  • LGBTQA Mentoring Program – Career mentoring is an extremely beneficial and powerful tool. Many universities, employers, organizations offer a formal mentoring program. Develop a network of friends at UIS. Learn about campus resources. The mentor program is for LGBTQ+ and allied first-year, transfer and new graduate students. New students are paired with upper-class students.
  • Necessary Steps Mentoring Program (NS) – A program for First-Generation college students that are defined as students whose parents/guardians have not graduated from a four-year college or institution. Necessary Steps is designed to assist in the transition from high school to college, as well as transforming our students into scholars.
  • The O-Team (Orientation Team) – The Office of New Student Orientation employs a number of students to assist with its orientation and family programming. There are three levels of undergraduate student positions within the Orientation Team (O-Team)

Join a Student Affairs Organization

Many National Organizations allow students to join. Fees are surprisingly low for undergraduate students, and this opens the door to the resources that the organization can offer you in your decision-making process.

Helpful Websites