Call for Submissions: Special Issue

The Development and Practice of Student Affairs in Catholic Higher Education
Journal of Catholic Higher Education


The Journal of Catholic Higher Education (JCHE), a peer-reviewed, online journal is an interdisciplinary publication outlet of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU). JCHE encourages submissions for a special issue dedicated to the Development and Role of Student Affairs in Catholic Higher Education. 

Key Details:

Abstract Proposals Due
October 31, 2026
Invited manuscripts due:
February 1, 2027
Article length:
3,500–5,000 words
Who should submit: Scholars, practitioners, and administrators in Catholic higher education

About the Special Issue

The Journal of Catholic Higher Education (JCHE), the peer-reviewed journal of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU), invites proposals for a special issue exploring the development, practice, and role of Student Affairs in Catholic higher education.

Developed in partnership with the Association for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASACCU), this special issue will bring together scholarship, promising practices, institutional models, and practitioner perspectives that deepen our understanding of Student Affairs as an essential part of Catholic higher education.

The issue is particularly interested in how Student Affairs professionals and divisions are responding to a changing higher education environment while remaining grounded in Catholic mission, holistic student formation, human dignity, justice, well-being, vocation, and the common good.

What We Are Looking For
Authors are invited to examine the history, development, structure, impact, and future of Student Affairs within Catholic colleges and universities.

Possible topics include:

The history and development of Student Affairs in Catholic higher education
Organizational structures and emerging models for Student Affairs
Catholic mission integration in Student Affairs practice
Student formation, belonging, well-being, and spiritual development
Vocation and discernment
Justice, human dignity, dialogue, and the common good
Responses to changing student demographics and needs
Institutional restructuring and new models of collaboration
Assessment and evidence of Student Affairs’ impact
Formation and professional development of Student Affairs professionals
Lessons learned from innovative programs or institutional change
The future role of Student Affairs in Catholic higher education

Submissions should align with one or more of the Principles of Good Practice: 

Embraces all students as valued members of an inclusive and diverse community that embodies God’s love for all.

Equips student affairs professionals with knowledge and perspectives to contribute to the Catholic mission of the institution. Grounds practice in the living tradition of the Church, as the people of God on a journey to the truth.

 Accompanies students on their search for truth, meaning, and integration through curricular and co-curricular learning 

Inspires and equips students to live in solidarity and commit to the dignity of all people, embracing the goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in a community of love. 

Calls and challenges students to personal integrity, reverence, and care for 
self, one another, and the community. 

Invites and accompanies all students to develop an active and meaningful relationship with God. 

Facilitates relationship building, dialogue, and the pursuit of common ground among individuals and communities with differing worldviews, contributing in the work for a more just world.

 Assists students in discerning and developing their vocational directions and 
guides students in reflecting on how their gifts and talents connect with the world’s needs. 

Intentionally develops the profession of student affairs at Catholic colleges 
and universities as a vital component of Catholic higher education. 

  • This special issue of the Journal of Catholic Higher Education is dedicated to exploring the history, development and roles of Student Affairs Officers in Catholic Higher Education. Submitted manuscripts would inquire into, but need not be limited to, areas such as the history, role, structure, impact, and mission integration programs related to the activities of Student Affairs. 

  • Submissions for consideration should address relevant issues, providing documentation and analysis of how Student Affairs leaders and practitioners are successfully operationalizing the nine Principles of Good Practice in the current landscape. Innovative models and lessons learned from recent restructuring, programmatic changes, and real-life experience that specifically advance these principles are encouraged. 

  • The audience of the Journal of Catholic Higher Education includes policymakers, executives, and administrators in Catholic higher education, scholars from many disciplines, Church personnel, and a broad spectrum of other interested parties

Manuscripts details

This collection encourages the active participation of scholars, practitioners, and administrators in Student Affairs at Catholic colleges and universities. While articles can be descriptive, authors are encouraged to ground their experience in organizational theory, institutional data, and relevant scholarship, as appropriate. Articles should suggest implications for leadership practice and the future of Student Affairs in Catholic Higher Education.

Manuscripts from individual and multiple authors are welcome. Each manuscript must be original and will proceed through a double-blind peer-review process. Articles presented to the Journal may not be submitted simultaneously to other publications. The audience of the Journal of Catholic Higher Education includes policymakers, executives, and administrators in Catholic higher education, scholars from many disciplines, Church personnel, and a broad spectrum of other interested parties. Manuscripts should be written in a style accessible to the Journal’s diverse readership. Manuscript length for this special issue is 3,500-5,00 words. 

Details about journal style are available at www.accunet.org/JCHE under “Call for Manuscripts.” 

Important Dates

The abstracts should be sent to submissions@asaccu.org by October 31, 2026. 
 
Invited authors will be contacted to submit by the first week in November.  Acceptance of the abstract does not guarantee publication. 
 
Article submission due date: February 1, 2027 
Papers should be submitted to the Journal by clicking this link for the form

Submit manuscripts to 2027 Development and Role of Student Affairs in Catholic Higher Education. 
 
Authors can find Additional Instructions by following this link.
Address questions and inquiries to jche@accunet.org.