The Hidden Costs of Accountability: Unpacking the Emotional Labor of Student Conduct Work and Building Tools for Resilience

Author

• Tiffany Marlene Shierling, Lynn UniversityFollow

Date of Award

8-14-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Granting Institution

Lynn University

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

Degree Program

Educational Leadership

Department

College of Education

First Advisor

Dr. Kelly A. Burlison

Second Advisor

Dr. Jennifer J. Lesh

Third Advisor

Dr. Brittany E. Kiser

Abstract

This dissertation explored the psychological challenges student conduct administrators (SCAs) face in higher education. These professionals have encountered significant emotional labor, vicarious trauma, and ethical dilemmas as they address student misconduct while striving to achieve educational and developmental outcomes. The study highlighted a research gap concerning the impact of these challenges on the mental well-being of SCAs, which hinders the development of effective support systems. This study aimed to address the mental health needs of SCAs by developing a comprehensive toolkit. Grounded in self-compassion theory and resilience theory, the toolkit provides resources for emotional self-regulation, supervisor training, and institutional recommendations.

Recommended Citation

Shierling, T. M. (2026). The Hidden Costs of Accountability: Unpacking the Emotional Labor of Student Conduct Work and Building Tools for Resilience [Doctoral dissertation, Lynn University]. SPIRAL. https://spiral.lynn.edu/etds/463