The study examines the perceptions of chief student affairs officers at 50 colleges/ universities in order to provide insights into the extent to which preparation programs are effectively preparing new professionals for the field. The results of the study will assist faculty teaching in these programs in future decisions regarding curricula; provide a rich source of information to practitioners interested in the preparation of new professionals entering the field; and delineate specific areas of skill development, knowledge, and personal traits important for advancement in the field. Results indicate that there may be a need to consider additional course work in several content areas.Graduate preparation programs in college student personnel need to be continuously evaluated in order to ascertain the efficacy of curricula as it relates to practice in the field. Both internal and external requirements for evaluation and strategic planning necessitate such a study. It is unclear whether graduate programs in student affairs have been satisfactory in preparing student affairs administrators in the rapidly changing environment of higher education.

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The study examines the perceptions of chief student affairs officers at 50 colleges/ universities in order to provide insights into the extent to which preparation programs are effectively preparing new professionals for the field. The results of the study will assist faculty teaching in these programs in future decisions regarding curricula; provide a rich source of information to practitioners interested in the preparation of new professionals entering the field; and delineate specific areas of skill development, knowledge, and personal traits important for advancement in the field. Results indicate that there may be a need to consider additional course work in several content areas.Graduate preparation programs in college student personnel need to be continuously evaluated in order to ascertain the efficacy of curricula as it relates to practice in the field. Both internal and external requirements for evaluation and strategic planning necessitate such a study. It is unclear whether graduate programs in student affairs have been satisfactory in preparing student affairs administrators in the rapidly changing environment of higher education.Brought to you by | Monash University Library Authenticated Download Date | 6/23/15 12:30 AM

Higher education in the Baltic Republic of Estonia is experiencing rapid change as the country adjusts to a market economy in the post-Soviet era and adheres to principles established through the Bologna Process. Research in the area of performance appraisal, and the most effective approaches to motivate academic staff, is a key factor influencing change in a rapidly developing society. Using qualitative research, a survey was submitted to academic officers in 11 Estonian and four western New York (USA) colleges and universities. A total of 29 individuals completed surveys in Estonia (a response rate of 69 per cent). A convenience sample of eight academic administrators returned instruments in western New York, giving a response rate of 100 per cent. The results of the survey indicated that appraisal systems within American higher education are similar and based on a long tradition of connecting appraisal to the guidelines governing permanent appointment (tenure). Appraisal within Estonian universities is still rather basic and unified systems do not yet exist, as individual institutions employ a variety of procedures. The study was intended to accelerate the process of performance appraisal in Estonia and Eastern Europe.