A Practitioner's Guide to Supporting Graduate and Professional Students

"This book is a much needed, practical guide for student affairs professionals, dedicated to supporting the degree completion and success of graduate students. Grounded in a deep understanding of the research literature, through a series of case studies and analyses, the authors provide concrete suggestions for those designing graduate orientations, career preparation programs, community building, and more. In each instance, the authors make clear the importance of recognizing the diverse life experiences graduate students bring to their studies and the integral connection between academic success and holistic graduate student support."
-Suzanne T. Ortega, President of the Council of Graduate Schools

"The Practitioner's Guide is a valuable source of information for faculty and staff who support students in graduate and professional programs. It provides comprehensive and detailed resources on all the major areas that need to be addressed to ensure student success. New and seasoned practitioners will find the guide useful, informative and an ongoing source of guidance."
- Daniel Volchok, Associate Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, USA

"The authors provide a comprehensive tour de force of practices for graduate and professional education rooted in psychology and sociology, addressing how to preserve and enhance the social capital students bring to our institutions. With an emphasis throughout on belonging and connection, the authors explain "why" and "how" student support services in graduate and professional education need to address climate through contemporary best practices. Shepard and Perry and colleagues provide clear, rich, adaptable paths to act on our values and demonstrate institutional commitments to student success."
- Lisa Tedesco, Vice Provost Emerita, Academic Affairs - Graduate Studies, Dean Emerita, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies, Professor, Rollins School of  Public Health Emory University, USA

"A Practitioner's Guide to Supporting Graduate and Professional Students provides a much-needed update to the literature and knowledge-base for student affairs professionals and their collaborators as they work to provide more holistic support to quickly-growing cohorts of graduate and professional students. As calls for reform in graduate education continue to focus on student-centered, as opposed to institution-centered, research-centered, and faculty-centered, models for graduate education this volume is an essential resource to be used by student and academic affairs professionals at all types of institutions. The case studies and research presented provide evidence-based solutions for improving success and long-term outcomes for students from all walks of life and with all types of future goals."
- Phillip Trella, Associate Vice Provost and Director, Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, University of Virginia

"As universities continue to enroll more graduate and professional students, it is critically important for student affairs practitioners to recognize and specifically address the unique needs of this complex, highly diverse and growing population of learners. The information presented in A Practitioner's Guide to Supporting Graduate and Professional Students, including the historical framework for graduate education; enrollment and demographic data trends; and resources and best practices, is relevant and long overdue to better center the postbaccalaureate experience on college campuses. This book will be foundational in preparing current and future student affairs professionals to holistically support graduate and professional students."
- Ron Walcott, Vice Provost for Graduate Education & Dean of the Graduate School, University of Georgia