The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore, document, analyze, and describe employment transition strategies utilized by senior student affairs officers prior to, and during the first 90 days of their appointment at a 4-year, public research, land grant institution. Four research questions were posed to address the problems identified, and purpose developed for this study. Purposive, homogeneous non-probability sampling was used to intentionally identify the individuals selected for the study. Grounded theory methodology with an emerging design was applied to analyze the data compiled from the telephone interviews conducted with the six study participants in the sample. Each of the study participants held an SSAO appointment at a 4-year, public research, land grant institution where they had not been previously employed, and where they had been in their positions for at least three months, but not longer than five years. Qualitative research methods were employed to gather data for the study. The interview transcripts and written documents were analyzed for salient emerging themes using coding procedures recommended by Strauss & Corbin (1998). The constant comparative method, continuous comparison of data to and against other data, was employed to gather insights on the inquiry's findings (Creswell, 2005). In addition to descriptive guidance for student affairs professionals who aspire to become senior student affairs officers, the data from this study provides student affairs professionals currently seeking SSAO positions with tactics to prepare for, and navigate through their first 90 days in a new senior officer position. Other data from the study provides institutions with ancillary information about ways to assist and support the new SSAO's employment transition. The emergent themes in this study contribute to the literature describing the employment transition strategies utilized by senior student affairs officers, and provides a foundation for future study. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]