I joined NASPA in 2002 when I started working in student affairs. This national association has offered many opportunities for mentorship and professional development over the years. I have taken on various volunteer roles at regional conferences, on the Region V board, and within Knowledge Communities. A notable highlight was serving as the Co-Chair of the CLDE Knowledge Community. This experience connected me with colleagues in the field and provided valuable resources during the challenging times of the pandemic and a national election.

I cannot imagine my career in student affairs without my involvement in NASPA! I started by engaging in the Knowledge Communities, including serving as Co-Chair for the SAPAA and WISA KCs, as National Director of KCs and as a member of the NASPA Board of Directors. I regularly attended and presented at annual conferences and participated in the Alice Manicur Symposium, the NASPA New VPSA institute, and the Equity Leadership Academy. I am the faculty director for the upcoming 2025 NASPA Alice Manicur Symposium. NASPA is my professional home and family – where I go to be informed, inspired, challenged, connected, and supported. There is a place in NASPA for everyone. I heart NASPA!

As a newer member to NASPA but not the Student Affairs field, it has been professionally refreshing to dig into the wealth of resources available through this association. Having access to so many publications, unique learning opportunities, events, as well as the ability to connect with peers and mentors is invaluable. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this community!

My initial membership with NASPA dates back to 2007, however, more recently I have found my home with volunteer experiences in Region IV-E, with the AVP Steering Committee, and as a Faculty member and now Institute Director of the NASPA Institute for New AVPs. My involvement has given me many tools to enhance my experiences as a professional while also having the opportunity to give back to a field that I love dearly.

I've been a NASPA member since 2011 and have been volunteering in different capacities throughout my time in NASPA. Since 2019, I've been serving as one of Region I's Foundation Ambassadors and have enjoyed educating members about the opportunities available to them through the Foundation as well as raising money to hit our goals each year. I have made invaluable friendships and professional connections through NASPA and am thankful I decided to get involved over a decade ago.

My engagement with NASPA since the outset of my career in 2018 has proven to be pivotal in my professional development. NASPA has seamlessly provided an invaluable platform for continuous learning and networking, particularly within the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Through this association, I have had the privilege of connecting with DEI peers from across the country, gaining profound insights and knowledge from their experiences and practices. The collaborative efforts within NASPA have significantly enhanced my ability to contribute to the creation of inclusive spaces for students, making it an indispensable asset in my ongoing journey of professional growth.