Transformation Logic and Practical Challenges in University Student Affairs Management in the Digital Era

Abstract

Against the macro-background of digital transformation, university student affairs management is undergoing profound systematic change. This study aims to analyze the deep-seated logic and concomitant practical challenges of this transformation. The research first elucidates the paradigm shift in student affairs management within the digital era, which is specifically reflected in the evolution of management philosophy from experience-driven to data-driven, the progression of operational modes from one-directional control to collaborative interaction, and the reshaping of structural frameworks from hierarchical segmentation to holistic, intelligent governance. Secondly, the study reveals the intrinsic logic driving this transformation, encompassing the inevitability of technological enablement and process reengineering, the internal response to students' growing sense of agency and diversified needs, and the objective requirements of aligning with educational modernization and enhancing institutional governance capacity. Furthermore, the research points out that the current transformation process faces key challenges, including the structural dilemma of data integration and system compatibility, the lagging digital literacy of management teams, the institutional deficiency in data ethics and privacy protection, and the balancing tension between technological reliance and the essential purpose of fostering student development. By systematically examining the logical framework and practical obstacles of the transformation, this paper provides a theoretical reference for understanding and advancing the digitalization of university student affairs management.