Flying Through Clouds: Navigating Uncertainty And Change In The Student Affairs Profession

When flying, oftentimes the transition between flying into clouds or out of clouds is bumpy. It's referred to as turbulence. Flight crews understand turbulence for what it is and instinctively differentiate normal turbulence from more dangerous turbulence. That specialized understanding equips crews to respond to the needs and concerns of the passengers.

Randy Mitchell maintains that the student affairs profession is experiencing turbulence. He states: "To plot a reliable course through uncertainty and change...we...must be capable of effectively using three navigational resources."

* Instruments: the ability to fly on instruments when we're not really sure what's out there. These are resources we use to achieve our goals.

*Instincts: using our intuition and intrinsic abilities to make quick decisions. These are innate aspects of our behavior.

* Institutions: accomplishing tasks through cooperation with the organized bodies of people we work with. These are interactions that help us build effective relationships.

By using the instruments, instincts, and institutions available, student affairs professionals can function as well-equipped flight crews that know instinctively about turbulence and are able to guide their staffs, students, parents, and others through uncertainty or exhilarating times.