Student Affairs & Services – Academica Group

Guidance That Reflects the Current Realities of Student Affairs & Services

Well-organized student affairs and services operations are critical to the success of both students and institutions. As colleges and universities strive to deliver high quality programs and student experiences on increasingly strained budgets, it is essential that the value of your student affairs and services department is well articulated; aligned with institutional plans and priorities; and understood by students, staff, and faculty.

Academica’s Student Affairs & Services research & consulting services will give you a customized look at your students’ needs, your operations, and your strategy. Our lead consultant Jason Hunter brings more than thirty years of experience in a range of student affairs and institutional strategic leadership roles, including dean and vice president. He can help your teams to fulfill their potential and strategically maximize institutional understanding of student affairs and services contributions.

What We Offer

Operational Reviews

Improve your operational efficiencies, reporting lines, and team structure at the unit and/or department level, and realign these with your strategic priorities.

Strategic Planning

Receive expert guidance and facilitation to support the development of departmental and divisional strategic plans that align with evolving priorities and your unique student body.

Advisory Services

Receive expert guidance and support on strategic navigation of the rapidly changing postsecondary environment.

Student Satisfaction Surveys

Get to know how your students, including Indigenous students, varsity athletes, and others feel about your current student affairs and services offerings.

Athletics, Recreation, and Wellness Consulting

Develop a sport and wellness model for your institution’s athletics and recreation offerings that matches and bolsters your campus culture, balances revenue and expense, and improves your reputation on and off the field.

Student Housing Studies

Understand your current residents’ satisfaction with your student housing offerings or explore the domestic and international student demand for housing, the off-campus market, and other trends impacting your housing portfolio.

Professional Coaching & Workshops

Get the guidance you need to grow as an SAS professional. Connect one-on-one with our lead consultant to maximize your potential, identify clear career goals, and achieve concrete results in your student affairs and services careers. Or, enquire about our custom workshops for your team.

Get the Data

In 2025, Academica Group conducted a survey of Senior Student Affairs Officers (SSAOs) across Canada to understand how policy shifts and other factors have impacted student affairs and services departments in terms of budgets, operations, and strategic planning. The report is available for download here.

Download the Report (PDF)