| Synergistic supervision has been commonly utilized as a foundation for practice in the field of student affairs. Numerous studies focus on the use of synergistic supervision with new professionals, but there is limited research on how it influences the supervision of mid-level managers. The role of the mid-level manager is important because of its connection to both upper-level administration and those who more frequently work with students. Therefore, it is important that these individuals receive effective supervision. This can be difficult when considering that the senior student affairs officers who supervise them may not have prior professional experience in their department.;This study involved 14 semi-structured interviews with dyads comprised of a senior student affairs officer and a mid-level manager. It explored the influence of the senior student affairs officers' prior professional experience as well as synergistic supervision on the supervisory relationship. The findings showed that while prior professional experience played a role in the relationship, it did not inhibit the ability of the senior student affairs officer to supervise the mid-level manager. It also showed that synergistic supervision influenced the relationships, especially when the senior student affairs officer considered the life stages, professional goals, and tenure of the mid-level managers. |
