
The American College Personnel Association (ACPA)—College Student Educators International is an organisation that has been supporting and fostering college student learning since 1924. ACPA members generate and disseminate knowledge for student affairs professionals and the higher education community. They offer professional development in the form of conferences, webinars, and other resources, and publish the Journal for College Student Development (JCSD), the highest-ranked indexed student affairs journal in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | ACPA–College Student Educators International |
| Formation | 1924 |
| Type of Organization | Membership-based |
| Focus | Student success in higher education |
| Target Group | Student affairs professionals and the higher education community |
| Activities | Generating and disseminating knowledge, fostering conversations about ethical practices, collaboration, inclusion, and equity, advocating for cultural transformation |
| Publications | The Journal for College Student Development (JCSD), About Campus magazine |
| Professional Development | Conferences, webinars, resources |
| Related Organizations | NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, National Association of Appointment Secretaries (NAAS), National Association of Deans of Women (NADW), National Association of Personnel and Placement Officers (NAPPO), American Council on Education (ACE), NAWDC, NASPA, Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) |
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What You'll Learn

ACPA's history
ACPA–College Student Educators International, also known as the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), has a long history dating back to 1924. The association was formed by May L. Cheney, who organized a teacher placement office at the University of California, Berkeley. In its early years, ACPA was known as the National Association of Appointment Secretaries (NAAS) and served as a community for educators.
In 1929, NAAS witnessed 46 members register for its Sixth Annual Convention, evolving into the National Association of Personnel and Placement Officers (NAPPO). The association continued to grow and, in 1931, adopted the name American College Personnel Association (ACPA). During the 1930s, ACPA's communication consisted of a mailed newsletter, the Personnel-O-Gram (P-O-G). ACPA also collaborated with the leaders of the American Council on Education (ACE) to develop the Student Point of View statement, demonstrating its commitment to student perspectives.
Moving into the 1940s, ACPA transitioned its newsletter communication to the Journal for Educational and Psychological Measurement (EPM). The association continued to expand and, by the 1950s, introduced the Personnel and Guidance Journal as its new official journal, replacing the EPM. ACPA's membership flourished, surpassing 1,000 members in 1952 and continuing to grow over the next two decades. During this period, ACPA also launched the Journal of College Student Personnel, with Charles Lewis as its first editor.
In the 1970s, ACPA actively collaborated with other national organizations, coordinating several national conventions. The association established the Standing Committee for Women in 1973 and the Standing Committee for Multicultural Affairs in 1978, reflecting its commitment to diversity and inclusion. By 1979, ACPA had become one of the first members of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS).
Throughout its history, ACPA has been dedicated to supporting and fostering college student learning by generating and sharing knowledge for student affairs professionals and the higher education community. ACPA offers professional development opportunities, including conferences, webinars, and resources, to promote ethical practices, collaboration, inclusion, and equity in higher education. The association also publishes the highly-regarded Journal for College Student Development (JCSD), providing valuable insights and research in the field of student affairs.
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ACPA's publications
ACPA—College Student Educators International, also known as the American College Personnel Association, has been supporting and fostering college student learning since 1924. ACPA members have been working to catalyze conversations about ethical practices, collaboration, inclusion, and equity.
ACPAs Publications
ACPA has several publications to its name, including:
- The Journal for College Student Development (JCSD): Published quarterly by ACPA and the Johns Hopkins University Press, JCSD is the highest-ranked indexed student affairs journal in the United States. It is available online in most American educational libraries and is also mailed to the majority of the ACPA membership.
- About Campus: A bimonthly magazine that thoughtfully examines the issues, policies, and practices that influence the learning experiences of college students. While sponsored by ACPA, it addresses a wider audience beyond student affairs, including administrators, faculty, and staff.
- Personnel-O-Gram (P-O-G): This was the first form of the association's newsletter communication, circulated as a mailed newsletter.
- The Journal for Educational and Psychological Measurement (EPM): This replaced the P-O-G in the 1940s as the association's newsletter.
- The Personnel and Guidance Journal: Became ACPA's official journal in 1952, replacing the EPM.
- Journal of College Student Personnel: Introduced in 1959 as ACPA's new official journal.
In addition to these publications, ACPA has also released monographs, such as "Toward A Sustainable Future: The Role of Student Affairs in Creating Healthy Environments, Social Justice, and Strong Economies," which calls college student educators to action in the international sustainability movement.
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ACPA's events and opportunities
ACPA–College Student Educators International supports and fosters college student learning by generating and sharing knowledge for student affairs professionals and the higher education community. ACPA offers a range of events and opportunities for its members, including professional development through conferences, webinars, and other resources.
The association also hosts community meetups for mid-level professionals to network and make connections. They offer promotions and opportunities for members to grow in their student affairs and higher education journeys. ACPA also publishes a variety of resources, including journals and magazines, which are available to members.
The Journal for College Student Development (JCSD) is the highest-ranked indexed student affairs journal in the United States. It is published quarterly by ACPA and the Johns Hopkins University Press and is available online and in print. Another publication, About Campus, is a bimonthly magazine that examines issues, policies, and practices influencing college students' learning experiences.
ACPA also collaborates with other organizations on national conventions and initiatives. In the 1970s, they coordinated national conventions with NAWDC (formerly NADW), NASPA, and other groups. ACPA has also been involved in the international sustainability movement, with its Task Force on Sustainability co-chairs authoring the monograph "Toward A Sustainable Future: The Role of Student Affairs in Creating Healthy Environments, Social Justice, and Strong Economies."
Additionally, ACPA offers employment opportunities within the association, such as the previously advertised part-time, contract, remote Membership and Database Administrator position.
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ACPA's focus on equity and inclusion
ACPA–College Student Educators International, also known as the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), has a strong focus on equity and inclusion in higher education. Since its inception in 1924, ACPA has been dedicated to supporting and fostering college student learning by generating and sharing knowledge with student affairs professionals and the higher education community.
One of ACPA's key areas of focus is promoting equity and inclusion in higher education. They recognise that students come from diverse backgrounds, with varying financial situations and experiences, and aim to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to succeed. ACPA offers professional development resources, such as conferences and webinars, to help educators infuse diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice (DEISJ) into their practices. They also provide tools and best practices rooted in racial justice and decolonisation to create equitable and inclusive learning environments.
ACPA's publications reflect their commitment to equity and inclusion. The Journal for College Student Development (JCSD), published by ACPA and the Johns Hopkins University Press, is the highest-ranked indexed student affairs journal in the United States. It explores topics related to student affairs and higher education, including equity and inclusion. Additionally, ACPA's monograph, "Toward A Sustainable Future: The Role of Student Affairs in Creating Healthy Environments, Social Justice and Strong Economies," calls for college student educators to play an active role in the international sustainability movement. It offers insights on educating students, institutional change, and creating healthy and just environments.
ACPA also collaborates with other organisations to further advance equity and inclusion in higher education. They have partnered with NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, working together to offer doctoral internships and contribute to national conventions on these topics. Additionally, ACPA established the Standing Committee for Multicultural Affairs in 1978, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to making multicultural affairs a central focus of their work.
Through their various initiatives, resources, and collaborations, ACPA–College Student Educators International demonstrates its unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion in higher education. By supporting educators and advocating for cultural transformation, they strive to create equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students.
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ACPA's professional development resources
ACPA–College Student Educators International, also known as the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), is a professional development organisation that has been supporting and fostering college student learning since 1924. ACPA achieves this by generating and sharing knowledge with student affairs professionals and the wider higher education community.
Professional Development Resources
ACPA provides a range of resources to support the professional development of its members. These include:
- Conferences: ACPA organises conferences that bring together professionals in the field of student affairs and higher education to share knowledge, network, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and research.
- Webinars: Online webinars are offered on various topics to provide members with ongoing learning and development opportunities.
- The Journal for College Student Development (JCSD): ACPA publishes JCSD, the highest-ranked indexed student affairs journal in the United States, in partnership with Johns Hopkins University Press. JCSD is available online and in print, featuring research and insights relevant to student affairs professionals.
- About Campus: ACPA sponsors About Campus, a bimonthly magazine that examines issues, policies, and practices that influence the learning experiences of college students. It caters to a broad audience, including administrators, faculty, and staff beyond just student affairs.
- Task Forces and Committees: ACPA establishes task forces and committees, such as the Professional Competencies Task Force and the Standing Committee for Multicultural Affairs, to address specific areas of focus and provide specialised knowledge and resources.
- Collaboration with Other Organisations: ACPA collaborates with other national organisations, such as NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, to offer doctoral internships and coordinate conventions, thereby expanding the professional development opportunities for its members.
- Email Updates: ACPA maintains an email list to keep members informed about upcoming events, promotions, and opportunities for growth in the field of student affairs and higher education.
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Frequently asked questions
ACPA—College Student Educators International, also known as the American College Personnel Association, supports college student learning by generating and disseminating knowledge for student affairs professionals and the higher education community.
ACPA offers professional development in the form of conferences, webinars, and other resources. They also publish the Journal for College Student Development (JCSD), the highest-ranked indexed student affairs journal in the United States.
ACPA was formed in 1924 as the National Association of Appointment Secretaries (NAAS). In 1929, it became the National Association of Personnel and Placement Officers (NAPPO). In 1931, the organization adopted the name American College Personnel Association.








































